Tips For All Exam Courses
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Purpose of This Page
Your Guide to Trusted Test Preparation Resources
This page serves as your starting point for finding reliable standardized test advice online. Consider exploring these resources before beginning tutoring to:
What You’ll Find Here
We’ve curated a balanced selection of:
✔ Official test websites (most credible)
✔ YouTube channels (for visual/aural learners)
✔ Textbook recommendations (for structured study)
Why Trust These Recommendations?
We Value Your Input
Have experience with these resources? Tell us what you think!
Note: While we’ve selected the top 10 sources, many other good options exist.
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
This page serves as your starting point for finding reliable standardized test advice online. Consider exploring these resources before beginning tutoring to:
- Understand test formats and expectations
- Identify areas where you need the most help
- Make the most of your tutoring sessions
What You’ll Find Here
We’ve curated a balanced selection of:
✔ Official test websites (most credible)
✔ YouTube channels (for visual/aural learners)
✔ Textbook recommendations (for structured study)
Why Trust These Recommendations?
- No hidden incentives: We don’t profit from any links.
- Quality-focused: Only well-established, student-approved sources.
- Updated regularly: Poorly rated resources are removed.
We Value Your Input
Have experience with these resources? Tell us what you think!
- Your feedback helps us improve recommendations
- What works for professionals might not work for all students
Note: While we’ve selected the top 10 sources, many other good options exist.
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:
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IELTS, TOEFL, CELPIP, CAEL, PTE, Duolingo, CELBAN
General Reading Writing Speaking Listening Vocabulary Grammar AP, SAT, ACT Multiple Choice Questions Composition Literary terms |
SSAT, CAT 5
Synonyms Analogies Reading Writing IB Prep Reading Writing MCQ |
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
Duolingo has a relatively affordable test that is now being recognized extensively in Canadian universities. We give Duolingo free practice tips and provide a blog 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 growing 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
AP Tips
AP are courses at the high school level that allow students to gain credit in certain subjects before entering University or college. Many universities give credit for these courses saving tuition fees greatly. We have a tips website at AP Tips and a blog page.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Tips
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