If you’re a foreign-trained healthcare professional looking to live and work in the U.S., you’re probably studying hard and preparing for the International English Language Testing System, otherwise known as the IELTS exam. The IELTS is a test used to measure the language proficiency of those looking to study or work in the US and other English-speaking countries, like the UK and Canada. The IELTS is required for immigration and for work as a foreign-trained healthcare professional in the USA.
This test can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparations, you can do very well on the exam. Here are some tips for test day, which can help you feel more prepared and succeed on your exam.
Be sure to get plenty of rest
There’s a good chance you’ll want to stay up studying for the exam, or your nerves might have you up. However, in order to do the best you can on this exam, you should try and get at least 8 hour of quality sleep the night before. This way, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and able to focus. Taking a test when you are sleepy can make it difficult to concentrate, which means you might answer parts of the exam incorrectly.
Be sure to eat something beforehand
You might be so nervous that you can’t eat, but because the listening, reading, and writing test takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, you’ll want to be sure you eat something beforehand. Skipping a meal can make your blood sugar drop, which can lead to irritability, difficulty concentration, and feeling nauseous.
Arrive early
Another great tip is to be sure to get to the IELTS test center. If you show up to your exam late, you will not be able to enter the exam room to take your test. It’s better to pack a snack and get to the center early, then to show up late and miss your chance of taking the exam. Be sure to allow some extra time for traffic, public transportation, and other factors.
Go the bathroom before the exam
The test takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, and there are no breaks. If you have an emergency and really need to use the restroom, your instructor will let you go, but you risk losing valuable time that you could be dedicating to your test.
Try to stay calm throughout the test
While it can be difficult, the best thing you can do is try to remain calm during the test. Your nerves can take a real toll on your ability to concentrate and get the test done. You might start overthinking your answers, or not be able to focus because you’re so eaten up with stress. When you feel this way, take a deep breath and reread the question. For the writing portion, try setting aside a little time for planning so that your essay stays relevant to the topic.
Good luck on exam day!
Looking to find a great recruiter?
Contact MedPro Healthcare Staffing! We work with foreign-trained professionals to find placements in cities across the United States. Plus, we work hard to ensure a smooth transition to the states and all the support you need for success. To learn more, contact us today or apply below!
