Learn the strategies and skills you need to pass your English exam, and take the next step toward a U.S. Healthcare Career
When preparing for high-stakes English proficiency exams, such as the IELTS, PTE, or OET, learning effective time management strategies is crucial. To succeed within the strict time limits, it’s not enough to be proficient in English. You must comprehend and execute swiftly and accurately. With focused preparation and strategic practice, Explorers can secure their U.S. assignment with MedPro International and advance their U.S. healthcare careers.
Foundation for Success
Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and matching headings: When taking the reading section of the IELTS or PTE, Explorers will face a series of comprehension questions. It’s essential to possess a strong command of the language.
“Test takers need to understand the structure of an essay; how the introduction of a text ends with the main idea or thesis, and each preceding paragraph will start with the main idea of that paragraph’s content,” explained Victoria Navarrete, M.Ed., an English Instructor with MedProU. “Test takers also need to build their vocabulary, so they recognize synonyms and the forms of different parts of speech of words.
The #1 Challenge: Time
No matter how strong an Explorer’s foundation is, success will ultimately depend on execution. Time is of the essence, and these proven strategies will help Explorers complete their reading test faster.
1. Skimming – Reading for the Big Picture
Skimming is similar to how you read a news article on your phone. You’re not paying attention to every word; you’re trying to get the main idea.
Use skimming to:
- Assess the main point
- Understand the overall purpose or tone of the text
- Focus on titles, headings, and the first and last lines of paragraphs.
2. Scanning – Searching for Specific Info
Scanning is what you do when you’re looking for your flight on a departure board or trying to find a name on a list. You’re searching for a specific word, number, or phrase. Sometimes we even just look for the shape or length of the word.
Use scanning when:
- The question asks for details
- You’re trying to find a name, date, place, or keyword
- Look for key words, names, numbers, or distinctive terms. Even the shape or length of the word can help!
3. Close Reading – Focused Reading for Meaning
This is where you slow down and carefully read one or two sentences to fully understand what’s being said. Do this only after you’ve found the location of the answer in the text through skimming or scanning.
Use close reading when:
- The answer depends on the subtle meaning or comparison
- You need to read a thesis statement or topic sentence to identify the main idea
- You have located the key words from the question or prompt and need to find the exact detail to answer the question.
Approach one paragraph at a time, skimming when the question asks for the main idea, and scanning for specific terms or synonyms when the question focuses on details. Answer what you can and then move on. Never waste time going back to re-read earlier sections. Finish and continue moving forward.
Consistent Exposure Is the Key to Success
Developing this knowledge demands consistent, high-level exposure. Even native speakers can find these exams challenging due to their academic language and strict time constraints. For MedPro International Explorers, it’s essential to engage with multiple forms of English input every day: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. But not just any English. Explorers need to focus on university-level materials, the kind of English found in academic journals, reputable news outlets, and professional discussions. (Not the sports page or celebrity magazines. They’re entertaining, but not exam-level.)
Build a habit: study all of the skills a little bit every day. The more Explorers immerse themselves in advanced English, the more naturally they’ll understand complex sentence structures, academic vocabulary, and nuanced meanings.
Remember, your preparation today shapes your success tomorrow. For MedPro Explorers, this means preparing not just to pass an exam, but to embark on a successful healthcare career in the United States. Good Luck!