Top tips for English exam preparation | Learn English with Cambridge

Hello. This is Andres Herrera,

and today, I’m going to give you seven essential tips

for preparing for international exams.

Tip number one: use authentic materials.

A great, different and challenging way to get better

at English is to use material intended for English speakers.

Watching movies in English or reading articles, books,

or magazines written in English will help

you get a better score at your international exam,

because this is the type of language that you will find.

Tip number two: practise, practise, and practise.

If you want to get better

at English and get a higher score in your exam,

you must practise whenever you can.

Try to immerse yourself in a learning environment.

Go to conversation clubs.

If you want to learn something new,

try learning it in English

and practise a lot with native speakers.

Remember, apply the old saying, practise makes perfect.

Tip number three: spot your common mistakes.

We usually make mistakes

when we’re learning a new language,

and sometimes, we don’t even know we’re making them.

A good idea to overcome your own mistakes is to write them down

when someone corrects you.

After you have spotted your own mistakes,

it’s incredibly easier to work on them.

Tip number four: record yourself.

This tip is really useful

if you are working on your speaking skills.

Take your phone out of your pocket

and record yourself.

Then watch it and try to make a better version

of it by correcting mistakes and adding your expressions.

This is also connected with tip number three.

You can show it to a teacher or an advanced English speaker,

and ask for help to identify your mistakes and correct them.

Tip number five: take mock tests.

This tip is essential

if you’re planning to take an international exam.

Besides knowing English, it’s extremely important

that you get used to the format of the test,

the type of questions,

and the time you have for each section.

Not all international tests are the same,

so take as many tests as you can,

so that the day of the exam, you feel really comfortable.

Cambridge have official practise tests you can take,

written by the same people that write the exam questions,

so they are just like the real exam.

Tip number six: study vocabulary.

Most international examinations

assess your ability to understand synonyms

and words from different fields.

A good idea before taking

your exam is to build up your vocabulary,

because this will help you in the reading section

and in all the other areas of the test.

Tip number seven: read a lot.

I think the greatest way to improve your English

and boost your score

at an international examination is to read a lot.

If you get used to this fantastic habit,

you will increase your reading comprehension

and your vocabulary,

which is essential

if you’re planning to take one of these exams.

And for those considering taking IELTS,

I kind of recommend using IELTS 14,

where you will find four authentic tests

before taking the real exam.

Check out the link

in the description box below to see this,

and many other great titles, to help with exam preparation.

And make sure you get the version with the audio files

for the listening tests.

And one important thing, don’t forget to subscribe.

Bye.