Your students may hate taking exams, but I bet they love learning idioms! Here is a list of 7 exam tips full of idioms and everyday expressions to lighten things up before exam time.

Tip #1

Know the test format inside and out

When you know something inside and out, you understand it completely. That stressful feeling inside usually results from the fear of the unknown. If you know exactly which types of questions to expect, you will feel more relaxed on test day. This will help you perform better on the test.

Visit official websites for TOEIC, TOEFL, or whichever test you are taking, and learn the exact format for each section and question.

Tip #2

Be prepared for Murphy’s law

Murphy’s law suggests that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Here are some things that can go wrong on test day:

• Your pen will run out or your pencil will break (bring extras)
• Your eraser will break or run out (bring an extra one)
• You’ll need to use the washroom (don’t drink too much water)
• You’ll get thirsty (bring water)
• Your phone will ring (turn off your devices)
• Your nose will run (bring tissues)
• Your stomach will growl (eat a high-protein breakfast)
• Your mouse batteries will die (bring batteries)
• Your pants will feel too tight (dress comfortably)

All of the above will cause you to lose concentration. For the best results, prepare for the worst‑case scenario.

Tip #3

Don’t let examiners pull a fast one on you

When someone pulls a fast one on you, they try to trick you. The writers who develop tests know every trick in the book. (Take my word for it. I used to be one.)

When you are using practice materials, don’t just study the correct answers. Take note of all of the common distractors that exam writers use.

Here are some common distractors (incorrect answer choices, aka tricks):

• opposite of the correct answer
• close to correct, but not correct
• contains a key word from the text or listening
• common misconceptions
• common usage errors
• true facts that do not answer the question
• draws on personal experience rather than information provided

Tip #4

Read each question with a fine-tooth comb

When you read something with a fine-tooth comb, you read for detail. Though some parts of an exam require you to skim and scan, it is important to read every single word of the instructions or questions. Don’t make assumptions. Make sure you know exactly what the question or section is asking you to do.

Tip #5

Find the meat and potatoes

Another expression for the main idea is the meat and potatoes. Whether you’re taking the IELTS, the TOEIC, or the TOEFL, you will have to read and listen to many paragraphs. Paragraphs always contain a single main idea. Before test time, become an expert at finding the main idea in everything you read and see.

Tip #6

Go with your gut

When you go with your gut you use your human instinct. Your first instincts are often correct. When it comes to multiple-choice questions, eliminate the answers you know are wrong. The process of elimination allows you to choose the best remaining answer based on your gut feeling.

Tip #7

Dot the i’s and cross the t’s

When you dot the i’s and cross the t’s, you check for errors. When possible, double-check your answers and proofread your writing. This doesn’t mean you should second-guess yourself. If you answered C for many answers in a row, don’t be tempted to change your responses.

Break a leg!
Tara

Glossary

Idioms and Everyday English

break a leg	good luck
lighten things up	to make a stressful situation feel less stressful
know something inside and out	to understand something completely
Murphy’s law	the idea that anything that can go wrong will go wrong
worst-case scenario	the worst possible situation or outcome
pull a fast one	to trick someone
every trick in the book	every joke or way that exists to fool someone
take my word for it	you should believe me (I’m a credible source)
take note	to notice
with a fine-tooth comb	in detail
every single one	each one (do not leave anything or anyone out)
the meat and potatoes	the most important part(s), the basics
go with your gut	to follow your instincts
gut feeling	a strong feeling about something or someone
dot the i’s and cross the t’s	to check one’s work
double-check	to check one’s work again
second-guess	to doubt oneself