Like many changes happening across industries due to the pandemic, the CBSE board also announced a new system to evaluate the performance of the students. It has been decided by the board authorities that there will be two terms conducted at the end of each semester. The marks obtained would be aggregated at the end of the 2nd and final term which is to be conducted in March-April 2022. The system may sound simple, better and even easy for many students, nonetheless, there is a section of students who would have to embrace themselves for a busier year than the usual board year. And there are a couple of reasons for that.

All students aiming to apply for Undergraduate courses in the US, UK and Canada will first have to accept that it’s not going to be an easy year for them, and that they would have to adhere to timelines dearly, else their application may not make it in time. Thus, adapting to this new system and process is their only choice.

For students applying to the US, the process of early application and early decision (which takes place in early November) as well as regular applications(for which the deadlines vary from university to university, but for most it’s 1st January) was very simple and uncomplicated as, students had time to prepare supplementary essays for the universities they are applying to. But with the 1st term now taking place in November-December, students will not only have to prepare for their board exams, but will have to simultaneously devote time to their applications and essays. In short, applicants would not get any breather before their board exams, considering both—the application and preparation of Board Exams—are equally important. Needless to say, students will have to learn the art of time management to excel in both.

Moreover, colleges will expect exact scores rather than the predicted ones along with your mid-term results (that used to be used until last year) to be submitted, assuming the scores would come out by the start of registration time in January-February. For the UK and Canada also, the process is not going to be very different as their application deadline is 15th January. Thus, it goes without saying that students would have to ensure all their application essays are ready by then.

Considering the changes, it’s essential for all applicants to start preparing their essays early on to save themselves from any last-minute hassles. But more importantly, all students need to pull up their socks right from the beginning of XII grade and be very cautious about it. There is absolutely no space for any mishaps or slip-ups, especially for students eyeing foreign admissions.

Studying in the US is a dream of any highly aspiring student. And why shouldn’t it be when the US has top-class universities with the right infrastructure to back the ambitions of a diverse set of students–native and international. However, attaining an admission in a good college is not a cake walk and requires a deliberate effort. The competition is tough but don’t feel intimidated, it only means you have to be all the more ambitious and determined to succeed. Let me share a few steps on how you can gain an edge over others and have a better chance of being admitted to the college or university of your choice.

1. Start working on your application early

Application in the US universities or colleges is a time-consuming process thus, a student must start the work early, say at least one year before. The admission requirements of each institution differ hence, it must be prepared carefully and with concentration. Half-hearted presentation would lower your chances of admission, so steer clear of that.

Collecting ‘Recommendation Letters’ from your school teachers/college professors and preparing Essays or Personal Statement takes a lot of time. Moreover, you would also have to give SAT/GRE/GMAT exams along with the English proficiency test – TOEFL. Preparing for all these tests along with essential documents needs you to have a well-thought plan, and it’s not advisable to leave any last-minute work; your profile could end up being unconvincing for the admission officers. Hence, it’s supremely important to keep enough space for accommodating all this work along with your academics and other activities.

2. Select your course of study

Demonstrating your passion for the subject is crucial. For this, you must include details of why the subject intrigues you and share examples, reasons or anecdotes of instances where you felt this is the field for you. Having a clear idea about what you wish to do with the degree will impress the admission officers. And by way of your essays and an interview, you could tell them about your motivations and future aspirations. US colleges are particularly impressed by students who are willing to put in the effort and are passionate about their cause. 

Your research on the subject and the quality of information expressed through your essays will convey your motivations of choosing a particular college. Thus, reflecting on your intellectual knowledge and why you find the subject interesting or challenging would be the deciding factor for admission officers.

3. Put effort in writing your Essays and Personal Statement

Writing stellar essays and personal statement is the most important step to having a successful US college application. This is the place where you get to express your interest in the field of study and showcase your willingness and capabilities of working hard and building a career in the respective field.

Including your existing knowledge of the subject and how you intend on building it further shall impress the admission officers. Having said that, you must take time to highlight your abilities through responsibilities and challenges undertaken so far. At the same time, while presenting yourself positively, be authentic. Try not to write in high-flown language and say things in your own style. Colleges like students who don’t ape anyone else but have a sense of their own identity. That’ll fetch you brownie points.

4. Create a Timetable of Application Deadlines

In spite of an excellent quality of your application, all your efforts will go down the drain if you miss a key date. That’s why you need to plan ahead and stay organized by keeping a calendar for application deadlines. Highlighting all the deadlines will keep you on track and allow you to collect the necessary documents in time. God forbid if your application is incomplete, your candidature might get rejected immediately. And I’m sure you would not want to take that chance. 

Therefore, following your timetable will not only help ensure all your application requirements are in order but also save you from last minute hassles. 

The road to getting admission in the US college or university may seem daunting but, if you keep track of these four basic rules, there is no stopping you from getting there. It’s that simple!

IELTS and TOEFL are basically English language tests to judge the applicants’ proficiency in English language. The tests are conducted throughout the year so you can choose dates that are most convenient with you. Whatever dates you choose, make sure that you are well prepared for it. An English test may sound simple, but you will not be able to nail it unless you have  practiced enough and are equipped with the strategies to complete all the questions within stipulated time. The test takers are tested on four skill sets, namely – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing - which in essence are core elements of any language.

Many students, despite attaining education in English medium schools, are intimidated by the test, but let me assure you that with a few simple steps, students or for that matter anyone can ace the test with flying colors.

Follow 6 Simple Steps to Ace the TOEFL or IELTS Test:

1. Know the Pattern:The pattern of each test is different. Though, you are required to appear for all the skill sets – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing – the pattern of each section is way different than the other. The number of questions and type of questions are also very different for all the sections. Therefore, familiarity with the structure, types of questions and knowing how you need to proceed efficiently is of prime importance. Moreover, since each section is  allotted a specific time, the test taker is expected to finish within that time frame. And no, there is no facility of taking more time in one section and adjusting it in the next, so, learn to maintain a pace wherein you can attempt all questions correctly within the timeframe assigned.

2. Take at least a month to prepare:If your English language skills are good then we’d suggest you give a month to prepare yourself. However, if English is not your forte, we’d recommend you to take anything between 2-3 months. In the first week, attempt individual sections, then move on to completing two sections together, and from the 3rd week onwards you should complete all four sections in one go (You can get free Practice Tests on Khan Academy). Once you get the hang of practicing all sections, start giving mock-tests. During your preparation you must give at least 4 mock-tests, 1 every fourth day starting the fourth week, and keep track of your progress.

3. Read the Questions Carefully:Often students don’t read questions carefully and lose out on easy answers. These careless mistakes can cost marks. To minimize damage, underline key words in the question to keep track of what you need to do and what kind of an answer you are looking for. Do not rush the question. Read and respond carefully before moving on to the next question.

4. Make Note of Repeated Mistakes:When you give the mock tests, make sure to note the mistakes you are committing. Sometimes some students keep repeating their mistakes, without noticing that they are making the same ones over and over. The idea of taking mock tests is to identify if there are any recurrent errors. Learning from your mistakes and rectifying errors will help you scale up your scores. A good way for avoiding such errors is to find the reason for each incorrect answer. Knowing the reasons will keep you away from replicating mistakes. 

5. Read, Listen and Watch English News and Channels: While you are preparing for the test, it is essential that you read as much as you can. Inculcating reading habits will change your thought process, empower you with more vocabulary to express yourself and help you understand a variety of texts, academic and non-academic. Listening to and watching English News or Movies or Series will further enhance your skills. Choose programs or series of your interest as they would hold your attention and compel you to understand the topic in discussion. Till the time you are done with your test do not waste time on any other language. 

6.  Practice, Practice and Practice:There is no alternate to practice; and hence the more you practice the better you shall become. Practicing the same types of questions over and over empowers you with the ability to quickly spot answers. Also, once you know the pattern and have been practicing it for a while makes it easier to identify what you are looking for. 

You must take into account that the level of language used in these tests is similar to the level you will get in an academic setting in universities abroad. Thus, you must take the practice tests as a foundational experience, which will prepare and equip you to handle college level education. 

Be assured, if you follow these 6 simple rules, you can clear the TOEFL/IELTS test with flying colors. Not only this, the variety of questions that you will practice during the one-month period will stimulate your cerebral juices so much so that you will find a new control over all your subjects. So, what are you waiting for? …… Get Started!