The Five Pillars of a High Score
By Michael Ukwuma
Mindset, Method, Words, Structure and Practice. The five things to build before you attempt the real test.
A house stands on its pillars. So does a score. When students ask me why their score is stuck, the answer is almost always that one pillar is weak. Here are the five, in the order we build them.
Pillar 1: Mindset
Understand what is being tested and believe you can do it. This is a language test, your opinions are not judged, and you already speak English. Start every session with the Affirmation.
Where to study. Lessons: The Maple Path Mindset, What raters actually reward.
Pillar 2: Method
Know exactly what each task wants and have one frame for it. MAPLE for your study, PROVE IT for reading, Predict, Catch, Check for listening, the four block email and Choose, Compare, Close for writing, and Say, Support, Seal for speaking.
Where to study. Lessons: The MAPLE Method and the core lesson in each skill.
Pillar 3: Words
Raters reward a range of precise, natural words that suit the situation. Build your Registers: the vocabulary of healthcare, housing, work, schools, government, emergencies and more. Add linking words, collocations and a handful of safe idioms.
Where to study. Section: Registers. Lessons: Idioms and collocations, Linking words.
Pillar 4: Structure
Grammar does not need to be perfect, but errors that confuse the reader cost you. Get the essentials right: subject and verb agreement, the right tense for each task, articles and prepositions, and a mix of simple and complex sentences. Learn to describe with strong adjectives.
Where to study. Section: Language. Start with Concord and Adjectives that paint a picture.
Pillar 5: Practice
Timed practice with feedback is where the other four pillars come together. Do the task, check it, fix it, record your mistakes, and come back to it. Add short daily fluency work.
Where to study. The Practice side, plus the Red List and Three Rounds drill.
How long on each pillar?
Mindset takes one evening. Method takes about a week. Words and Structure grow all the way to test day, a little every day. Practice starts in week one and never stops. Use the six week study plan to put it all on a calendar.
Key points
- Five pillars: Mindset, Method, Words, Structure, Practice.
- A stuck score usually means one weak pillar.
- Words and Structure grow a little every day until test day.