For most students, passing an international exam such as TOEFL, GMAT or GRE is the result of having studied English for more than 3 years and means being one step closer to realizing the dream of studying at a university in abroad.

1. Sleep

It may sound a bit silly to you, but sleeping is one of the most important strategies before taking an exam as important as an international proficiency exam in a language. Our brains work best when they are sufficiently rested. If you were to take an international exam without having slept your necessary hours, it will be much more difficult for you to remember all the information studied.

An international exam is designed to assess your knowledge of the language and all the skills you have developed during your months of study. Therefore, it is not much worth frantically reviewing all your notes a week before the test. Try to go through all your notes for at least an hour a day to stay focused. However, avoid working or studying until very late.

2. Rest your hands

During the “writing” part they will give you a minimum number of words that you must write in your essay. In short, you will have a lot to write. This may seem a bit strange, but having tired hands is a factor that can also affect your performance.

There are ways to minimize the likelihood of finger pain. On the day of your exam, you can bring a stress ball or other stress relief toy to help your hands relax. Even a good hand cream will help you a lot. Keep in mind that when you start the exam you must save them.

3. Use your downtime wisely

After finishing the “writing”, “reading” and “listening” parts, it was time for the oral test. Before starting this test (in case you are not the first to take it), try to relax a little to feel refreshed again.

If you are the first, do a few breathing exercises. Don’t worry, don’t be nervous and trust your abilities. In many cases you will be taking the exam with another student so relax.

4. Review the content of your classes, but do it selectively

As we mentioned earlier, don’t study frantically the day before or abandon your preparation entirely. Taking an international exam is serious business, but it shouldn’t be a source of great stress for you either.

Instead of extensively reviewing all your books and notes, study only the essential points, which you have not been very clear and that you find difficult, such as “phrasal verbs” or the essential parts of an essay.

5. Practice your editing

The essays. Writing an essay in English equals the most points in the “writing” part. You will not know the subject on which it is your turn to write until you receive the exam. It may even be that you have to write an argumentative essay on an unknown topic for you.

During your preparation, look for various sample essays and topics and try to practice writing about them to the best of your ability. On the day of the test, you will not have enough time to be writing and erasing all your ideas: Organize the structure of your topic.

6. Be organized, punctual, and responsible.

Don’t even think about being late for the test day. Once the test begins, no other students are allowed to enter the test.

Take the essentials: pencil, sharpener, eraser, and your identity document, no more. When you register for the exam, they will tell you what you need to bring and what you don’t. A little tip, take a watch. You will not be able to take out your cell phone during the exam and although there is a huge clock for everyone in the test room, it is better if you bring your own clock.

Before starting the test, listen carefully to all the instructions that the people in charge will tell you. Also, read all the instructions and exam questions calmly.

Have discipline, organization and performance during the test. Organize your time for each of the parts of the exam. You may not be able to return to that part after the set time.