Studying for an English Language Test: When Should I Start Preparing? (2024 Edition)
When applying for an English-taught master’s degree but English isn’t your first language or you have not completed previous studies or work experience in an English-speaking country, you may need to prove your proficiency in the language as a program entry requirement.
This is often done through English language tests, which typically include reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections. These tests measure whether your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment, and you’ll usually need to get at least a minimum score on a given test in order to be accepted into certain Master’s programs.
There are a number of different English language tests that are recognised widely by business schools all over the world, such as the TOEFL and IELTS. Here we’ll cover what impacts the amount of prep you need, when you should start preparing for the test and tips for getting started studying.
Factors Impacting the Amount of Preparation Needed
Naturally, it depends on a number of things to figure out the amount of preparation you’ll need for an English language test. There are a range of factors impacting how long test-takers will typically need to study for, including:
- Your current level of the English language
- Your first language
- Your language aptitude, motivation, and learning strategies
- Your level of anxiety about the test and/or using English
- The score you’re aiming to get
There are also additional factors that often impact how well test-takers do on an English language test, such as:
- The time you have to prepare on a daily or weekly basis
- The resources you have
- The help and support you receive
- The exposure to English outside of the classroom
While these factors are prevalent, it’s recommended to start preparing for your test at least three to six months prior to taking the test. But this is largely dependent on where your current level of English knowledge is and how much time you can put into studying.
Additionally, keep in mind that on average it takes three months of studying to improve your score by up to half a band on the IELTS, according to two IELTS Research Reports. Make sure you have realistic expectations on what score you can aim to achieve.
5 Tips to Help You Study for an English Language Test
Here are five tips to help you get started preparing for an English language test as a requirement for business school admissions.
1. Take a practice test to see where you’re at.
For starters, take a practice test to assess where you’re at and help you figure out how long you need to study to improve your score to the required level. Taking a practice test also gives you a better idea of the test format and structure of the different sections.
2. Establish your strengths and weaknesses.
Figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are with the English language. You’ll need to spend additional time working on improving your weakest areas, whether that be the reading, writing, listening, or speaking sections. But also, you will still need to build on your strengths to help create a solid foundation. Keep in mind that sometimes schools may require minimum scores in certain sections, on top of a minimum overall exam score.
3. Create a study plan based on the time you have available.
Once you know how much time you have available to study, create a plan that’s manageable and keeps you on the right track. Consider university application deadlines and how long it takes to get scores back. And make sure to not only map out when you’ll study but also what you will study and how.
4. Immerse yourself in English.
Alongside your test preparation, immerse yourself in the language as much as you can. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks and watch TV shows and films in English with no subtitles. Read books, newspapers, and magazines in English. There are also free language apps, such as Duolingo, that can help you improve your grammar and expand your vocabulary.
5. Practice your writing on a regular basis.
To do well on the writing portion of an English language test, you’ll need to be able to write at an academic level and express personal experience. To do this effectively takes practice, so make sure you’re working on writing in English regularly. Consider carving out some time every day for this, maybe through writing a diary, keeping a blog, or communicating in an online community.
At Unify, we streamline the entire admissions process for students interested in graduate business schools across the globe. We allow students to compare entry requirements for different universities, so you know if you need to take an English language test and which ones are accepted by the institutions you're interested in.
We also offer a series of free resources and platforms to prepare and practice for your English language test. Contact us to receive an assessment of your level and a personalized study plan for free!