Tips For All Exam Courses
Purpose of This Page
This page is designed to be a starting point for your search to the virtual world of standardized test advice. It is something you should perhaps do before you begin a tutoring course. There is so much out there, so I hope I can let my experience guide you to the most credible and useful sources that give free advice or if they do require a fee do give something worthwhile in return. I have tried to give a balance between websites, YouTube audios and textbooks, since different learners have their different preferences. Please give us your feedback about these sources because occasionally my view might be different from an actual test taker so please feel free to let me know what you think of these.
To keep things manageable, I have chosen the top 10 sites but that does not mean there are not a whole lot more. I want to stress to the cynics (and I mean cynics in the most complimentary way since it is right to be a cynic when it comes to the whole test prep industry) that I gain nothing from these links - if a source is well established and high quality, they get enough traffic on their own and if I find students do not really think they are as useful as I thought I will take them off.
I also do give my own tips (see below) and will be archiving them regularly. If you require free study practice go to our free study practice page and look for practice in a specific test
To keep things manageable, I have chosen the top 10 sites but that does not mean there are not a whole lot more. I want to stress to the cynics (and I mean cynics in the most complimentary way since it is right to be a cynic when it comes to the whole test prep industry) that I gain nothing from these links - if a source is well established and high quality, they get enough traffic on their own and if I find students do not really think they are as useful as I thought I will take them off.
I also do give my own tips (see below) and will be archiving them regularly. If you require free study practice go to our free study practice page and look for practice in a specific test
What to Do With a Good Test Preparation Source
First and foremost bookmark so you can go back to it easily. With IELTS, SAT and TOEFL there are just too many to remember and even the ones easy to find on google are full of many pages that may not be that useful for you
Second, put your bookmarks in a folder according to the parts of the exam. A suggested set of folders might include:
|
IELTS & TOEFL & CELPIP (General)
General Reading Writing Speaking Listening Vocabulary Grammar BC Provincials Stand Alone Synthesis Composition Literary terms |
LPI
Grammar Reading Writing SSAT Synonyms Analogies Reading Writing SAT Grammar Vocabulary Reading Writing |
Third, give them a read. Sounds funny, but many students will bookmark them but never really read them carefully thinking they are already test-wise. As they say, “a fool thinks he’s wise, but a wise man knows he’s a fool”
IELTS Tips
If looking for tips on IELTS, go to our IELTS tips page for a good list and as well some advice of our own. Bookmark these sites and make a goal to read them ALL (that is another reason why only list 10) before you take any classes with a tutor. If you find them too much to read in a 2nd or 3rd language, translate them using Google Translate.
SAT Tips
SAT is one of the most frequently discussed exams and there is certainly no shortage of free advice. I have chosen, on the SAT Tips page, what I think are the best. Make sure particular with the SAT, you do not frustrate yourself by diving into practice tests. In fact arguably an SAT score is really most improvable through clear knowledge of the test and its strategies – skill play a role but to a lesser extent, since it does involve skills developed over many years.
TOEFL Tips
TOEFL has no shortage of tips and advice that can be found in almost all languages. On the TOEFL Tips page, there are 5 really well done sites, 3 good YouTube videos and 2 textbooks. Be careful of any advice that is not current. TOEFL changes its approach within the structure more frequently than IELTS or CELPIP.
Duolingo English Test Tips
The Duolingo English test website is one of the best I have seen. It is simple, brief but tells you very clearly about the test and the features of it. In the excellent official guide which you can download for free, there is a series of tips for each type of questions. Beyond this we have a few tips of our own
SSAT Tips
SSAT is an exam that many children and adolescents underestimate, particularly with regards to the vocabulary demands. On the SSAT Tips Page, I have listed 4 online sources, 2 YouTube videos and 4 textbooks
CELPIP Tips
CELPIP is the hardest one to find information on. I have however managed to find on the CELPIP TIps page, 3 textbooks, four YouTube videos and 3 websites. Unfortunately they are all about the general/L&S and I can find little specific to the academic test.
CELBAN Tips
For nurses, CELBAN is often difficult to find self study material but there is a grwoing number of youtube and some books. Check out my CELBAN tips page
CAEL Tips
CAEL is a new test so there are not many websites offering tips for CAEL. We do offer a page devoted to CAEL advice at TPS CAEL Tips as well as a CAEL blog
CanTEST Tips
CanTEST is a test started by the Unoverstiy of Ottawa and as of yet there are limited resources to help you prepare. TPS has started a CanTEST tip site and shortly we will produce a CanTEST blog
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
PTE has been used extensively around the world and is now recognized at a variety of Universities. in Canada. For tips on the PTE visit our TPS PTE tips page and receive some practice tests on our PTE Free Practice site