English Tests

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS

As an internationally trained dentist, we have to get a specific score in one of the English tests. Some universities accept some tests while others require something else, therefore sometimes we have to write more than one English test in order to meet the requirements of all universities. Personally I wrote TOEFL and IELTS in order to apply to different universities, pay attention to the minimum score each university requires. Always check the universities' websites for any changes in the required English test/score.

Regarding TOEFL and IELTS, both are close to each other. If you are going to write a couple of English tests or repeat any of them, then it is better to do it at the same time. When you prepare for TOEFL, for instance, then you will develop particular skills. It will be wise to write IELTS or re-write TOEFL, if you need to, within a short period; to make sure that you still have the skills that you have developed in your first preparation and in its highest level, as well.

Time is a critical part in getting a high score in TOEFL. Writing topics are not that difficult but the wording should be very good. Some listening questions are very specific. Reading is difficult for some people, but with practice, you will find a link between a paragraph and its related question. With time, you will predict the questions yourself as you read the passage. You will find TOEFL hard at the beginning, but practice and preparation will make you more confident and will lead you to the score that you are looking for.

I think, IELTS is a little bit easier than TOEFL. Yet, you should practice listening to British accent for a while. The writing topics of IELTS are harder and slightly less common. In general, Speaking, in both IELTS and TOEFL, is about general topics. The more you speak in your daily life, the higher your score will be. “Practice makes perfect”

Some official books are there to help you be well-prepared. Use them and practice over and over. Personally, I mainly used TOEFL IBT by BARRON’S, in addition to a small course where I got important vocabularies. Regarding to IELTS, I read Cambridge IELTS. Moreover, I did a lot of online practice for these 2 tests, and I used to write many essays that have been edited by my brother and my cousin. About other tests, let say CAEL, there is a specific book that you should purchase from the institution sometimes. By the way, NO need to buy all of these materials; you can get them from the public library or from a friend, too.

Some candidates write an English test before writing EE. The thing is that EE needs time, so your English test may get expired before you get a good score in EE. Thus, I would say that in general, it is better to focus on EE first then if things go well, you can write the English test.

Below are a summary of English proficiency tests that are accepted in some dental schools, yet you still have to view their websites for more details and exemptions:
1.UWO ,ITD................ TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB
2.U of T, IDAPP...........TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, COPE, Academic preparation ESL.
3.McGill......................TOEFL
4.Manitoba ,IDDP.......IELTS, iBT TOEFL
5.UBC, IDDCP.............IELTS ONLY
6.Alberta,APP............ MELAB, CAEL, IELTS, TOEFL + spoken English proficiency.
7.Dalhousie ...............TOEFL, MELAB, CAEL, Can Test, IELTS.

*P.s: When you register to an English test, it is recommended not to write the institutions names, to which you want your result to be sent, in the application form. Get the result first and if you get a good score then ask the test center to send the result of the English test to the dental school that you want. The point is that each school keeps your record, so it wouldn’t be a good thing if it shows in your file how many times you write TOEFL, for example, and your scores in each trial.