Over the last couple of decades, various countries have begun to stand out as “popular destinations” for post graduate studies aspirants. Among the countries that offer various post-graduate and doctoral programs for students across the globe, two countries have established their eminence. One of them is known for snow-capped mountains, its love for ice hockey and everybody’s favorite Prime Minister. The other is renowned for its booming job market, high standards of living, and its thriving multicultural atmosphere. We are, of course, talking about�� Canada and the USA. Two vastly different countries with several striking similarities; one of which is the primarily unsurpassable quality of secondary education.

Since the Internet boom in the late 1980s, the US has been the ultimate study abroad destination for aspiring students. A combination of factors like cutting-edge infrastructures, R&D opportunities, and better employability has firmly cemented the US’s position as the first choice for a vast number of students wishing for quality education. However, in recent times, Canada, US’s friendly neighbor, has emerged as a competition to the US as an excellent alternative, with high-quality education that doesn’t pinch your pockets. Also it’s important to note, Canada has not just improved its stature in terms of its MS, or more generally the post graduate studies, but also work related opportunities across the globe.

One must keep in mind, that course selection, is the first and foremost step in moving forward for studying in the US or Canada. Following that, preparing for your 91�ȱ�/TOEFL is the most important step to take the first step towards a successful admit in these 2 countries.

So, here is the big question- should you apply to both the US and Canada for your postgraduate studies? Or should you simply stick to one? 

This is a question that leaves many students scratching their heads, so let us try and get some clarity on it.

Why Canada or USA?

Now, here’s another question, what makes Canada or the USA stand out, out of all the study abroad destinations. Let us now understand it better, to make better choice of study destination. USA has long been the ideal, or rather, the ultimate study destination for predominantly MS and other master’s programs. Over the decades, it has established its own reputation as the global research hub. From the earliest stages of Silicon Valley, back in the 1970’s, through the “dot-com boom” in the 1990s and early 2000s, up to the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning trend in 2019, there has been innumerable technological advancements that have occurred in the USA.�� Lately, due to improvement in various facets, Canada has become a hot favorite among students, as their preferred destination for pursuing MS.

Let us get some more insights as to why are students preferring to study in Canada. The following reasons stand out

• Lower average tuition fees in comparison to US universities for international students. As on 2019-20 based on reports from Statistics Canada, the average tuition fees for international post grad students who wish to study in Canada, was approximately $17,714 CAD($13,437 USD). Whereas, based on the reports from College Board, USA, average tuition fees for 2019 was reported to be around $26,290 USD ($34,860 CAD).��

“For Example: Tuition fees for Masters at the University of British Columbia,globally ranked 51 was noted to be approximately $8,777 CAD ”.

• Wide availability of discipline specific scholarships and co-op programs, or co-operative education which essentially allows the students to integrate their studies, by alternating one semester of studying abroad with one semester of work in a field related to their studies. University of Toronto, University of Waterloo are some of the universities to offer co-op programs.
• Comparatively easier to pursue part-time jobs in Canada, due to the flexibility of study permit.
• Ease of immigration to obtain Canadian citizenship. Students�� are also eligible to stay up to 180 days, after their Post-Graduation, to apply for a Canadian Work Permit.
• Excellent healthcare policy.

Despite these pros associated with studying in Canada prompting aspirants to study in Canada as opposed to the USA, there are a few key aspects that still make USA the number one preferred destination for pursuing studies abroad.

• Broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate study programs, with the following top trending specializations
  • MS in Computer Science, with upcoming fields like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and so on.
  • MS in Electrical and Electronics, with trending fields like Mechatronics, Embedded Systems and Robotics, which are also interdisciplinary master’s programs themselves.
  • MS in Mechanical Engineering including upcoming fields like Nano Engineering, Marine Engineering, Acoustics, Bio-mechanical Engineering
  • MS in Biology with specializations such as Biomedical computation, stem cell�� and regenerative biology and various other specializations
  • Business Studies

There are various interdisciplinary programs such as Human Computer Interaction�� Program(Stanford University), Mathematical and Computational Science(Data Science Program by Stanford University) to name a few. Universities across the USA, have stood the test of time, and stand as a self-testament of their technological prowess and research capabilities. Based on a recent report by The Global Innovation Index, it is natural to claim that the US has underscored its research depths. The following facts substantiate the same

• ��The US has ranked��
  • Number 1 Public and Private R & D Expenditures, with over $510B being spent on research and development
  • Number 3 in Global Innovative Index rating (2019)
  • Approximately 18 billion in Global App Downloads produced by local companies (2018)
• Every year, universities across the USA are funded heavily for the purpose of research and development.��

“Fun Fact: As on 2018,Johns Hopkins University spent a record $2.56 Billion and led the research spends amongst all US universities for the 39th  consecutive year – National Science Funding Reports ”.

• Vast numbers of mid-level universities, providing aspirants with more opportunities to pursue their studies in USA.
• Huge career opportunities for fresh graduates, ranging from successful Silicon Valley startups to Fortune 500 companies
• A broad set of choices of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) degrees, with a vast set of sub-disciplines, ranging from Aerospace Engineering, Statistics, Psychology and many more are available for students who wish to study in the US, with most STEM options eligible for 17 to 24 months of OPT(Optional Practical Training)
• A report from Startup Outlook Survey, USA (Silicon Valley Bank), with over 1,300 respondents states that more and more research innovations are cropping up in the fields of AI, Big Data, Cyber Security and so on, and claim that, fundraising for startups has become easier in the last two years

Below is a small graph representing the number of universities in various rank slabs in case of both the US and Canada. This graph was based on parameters such as quality of education (awards won by alumni and faculty), quality of staff (the research prowess of the staff, across 20+ broad categories) with reference from Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) reports.

These graphs indicate the vast degree of presence of US universities in the top ranks,would definitely help identifying the ocean of opportunities for the students who aspire to study in the US or Canada

See how to write the perfect SOP that wins you Top MS Admits!

What parameters should I consider?

Besides top-notch education and excellent faculty, there are several other parameters you should take into account while considering your postgraduate options. Remember: this is the place where you will spend two years of your life, so it is equally important to consider other factors such as the cost of living, public safety, employment opportunities, weather, student-friendliness etc.

Quality of Education

First and foremost, of course, is the quality of education offered by American and Canadian universities. This factor is paramount to your decision-making process- after all, it is a decision that will affect your life and career. 

While it is true that the US has a monopoly in the education market, Canada is not lagging behind. With several top universities like the University of Toronto University of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia, Canada is slowly but surely catching up with the US. In terms of course structures, both the countries are very similar. Universities in both the US and Canada offer research-oriented (thesis-based) and course-oriented (non-thesis based) Masters programmes. Depending on your academic aspirations, you can choose either – normally, students wishing to embark on a Ph. D. opt for the research-oriented Masters. In both countries, students pursuing their MS are required to complete 36 credit hours in order to graduate.  

In terms of the quality of education offered, there is little difference between the two. When we consider the PISA(Program for International Student Assessment) scores run by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Canada is found to be ranked 10th, whereas the presence of the US is in the 40s. In the case of the USA, research has stood the test of time, students who prefer research and duly want to commit themselves to producing genuine scientific breakthroughs, prefer studying in the USA over Canada. With most US universities having a strong foundation in research, with alumni being laureates of prestigious awards like the Nobel, Fields Medal and so on, US can be claimed duly, as a haven for research aspirants, in terms of their education.

“Fun Fact: As on 2018-19 Massachusetts Institute of Technology is associated with 94 Nobel Laureates”

“Fun Fact #2: As on 2018-19 Canada has the highest proportion of Working Age Adults among OECD Countries, at a staggering 55%”

Education in Canada is much cheaper than in the US, thanks to several laws and policies put in place to make education affordable and accessible to all. Private universities in both the US and Canada are generally more expensive since they are not regulated by the government. However, state universities in both countries are much more affordable – exact fees differ from school to school.

“Fun Fact #3: Canada is the highest educated country across the globe”

As on 2018-19, based on reports from Bureau of Labour Services, USA and Statistics Canada (Stats Can), the national statistical agency of Canada, let us take a look at the trending courses in the USA and Canada, with their average salaries

Table 1: Courses and Average Salaries-  Source: BLS, Atlantic Canada Engineering Salary Survey and Stats Can Reports

Students also have a potential option to switch from the masters(graduate program) that they have chosen, while studying abroad in the USA or Canada. Generally, the students would be required to have been actively studying in the designated university.��

The process is relatively simpler in Canada. While Canada does not require a change in study permit, for switching courses; the student needs to update the course details in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

On the other hand, switching masters programs in the USA is a bit more complex. One has to submit a new application, letters of reference reinforcing the ability of the student to perform well in the concerned program and then wait for the decision to be accepted by the program.

In any case, the student definitely needs to understand, that the whole process of switching or changing courses is not to be done quickly or abruptly. It is advised that the student keeps in mind the following questions and answers them by means of thorough research and guidance from admissions counselors. 

• As a student, why do you want to pursue that course?
• Have you duly done adequate research to understand all the nuances of the course?
• Have you compared and considered all opportunities in your present course and the other course?
• Is the choice of your course based on your interest? Have you developed the interest on the basis of doing projects and research work in the concerned field of interest?

Tuition and scholarships

Owing to a burgeoning number of international applicants, several universities in the US and Canada offer generous scholarships and grants to considerably reduce the financial burden on the students: these scholarships range from partial fee-waiver to full rider. In some universities where the focus is on a particular discipline, students who are applying to study that discipline are given scholarships.��

For instance, in the University of Ottawa, researchers are working to create the world’s largest centre for the study of photonics and optics, for which the University receives a huge amount of funding from alumni and philanthropists. Therefore, students who wish to study photonics are given full fee-waivers and living allowances in order to make scientific advancements in the field. Such discipline-specific scholarships are more widely available in Canada than in the US. 

Similarly, in the University of California, Berkely, which has a well established history of research, and associated with 8 Nobel Laureates, we see the Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute, which receives over $730 million for its research expenses from the Government and various philanthropists. This center was recently noted for its project “TomKat UC Carbon Neutrality Project – involving Decarbonisation”. In this center, students are provided with various awards and fellowships; notable being the BECI Philomantha Fellowship, which includes a 2 year appointment, and also a $25,000 Research Fund, to pursue their research in disciplines related to energy and climate. They also confer the prestigious Art Rosenfeld Award for Energy Efficiency Application Materials.

As much as there has been an increase in the tuition fees, owing to the increase in prioritizing internationalization, there has been an increase in the number of scholarships offered to students who aspire to study in the US or Canada. Some of these scholarships are funded by the government, whereas the others are privately funded. The scholarships are categorized broadly under three categories

• Government Funded
• Non-Governmental Scholarships
• University-Specific Scholarships

Let us now get an overview of a selection of scholarships offered for international students in the USA and Canada.

Table 2: Scholarships – Source:

Top 10  Universities in the USA and Canada – World Ranking

Based on annual reports�� published by Quacquarelli Symonds, the following universities make it into the Top 10 Universities in the USA and Canada, respectively. The QS rankings guides a student who aspires to study in the US , Canada or any overseas country, towards universities which are highly accredited by employers, academics and helps identify the right platform for a great career. The table below considers the following parameters, with weightage considered for each parameter, while ranking the Universities for 2020

• Academic Reputation – 40%
• Employer Reputation – 10%
• Citations per Faculty – 20%
• Student – Faculty Ratio – 20%
• Presence of International Faculties – 5%
• Presence of International Students – 5%

Table 3: University Ranking – Source:

Student Profiles

Keeping in mind the above university rankings and other parameters that were discussed, let’s look at a few students who got admitted into top-universities.

Social Welfare

The taxes you pay in Canada are considerably higher compared to the US, but your tax money is judiciously spent by the government to ensure your social welfare. 

For instance, one of Canada’s biggest assets is its universal healthcare schemes, which makes high quality healthcare extremely affordable to all its citizens. 

Additionally, when you file your tax returns on time, a portion of your taxes is refunded to you. Social welfare in the US peaked under the Obama administration, with the advent of Obamacare. 

Visa Process

Let us try to get a better insight on the Visa Process for applying to study in the USA and Canada.

A student can study for a maximum period of 6 months without any study permit or visa, in Canada. For study duration beyond 6 months, a Canadian Study Permit is required. The required documents for the Canadian Study Permit are:

• Letter of Acceptance from the University that the student has applied
• Certificate of Acceptance from the Government, if the student is applying for Québec
• ��Canadian Student Visa Application Package from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website/Local Office or Canadian Embassy in the respective home country.

For studying in the USA, a US Student Visa, is a prerequisite. For this , a student must follow the following procedure

• Get accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved US University, before 6 to 12 months of commencing your studies, and pay the SEVP fees.
• Complete the US Student Visa Application, with recent photographs and pay the application fees
• Schedule and attend the visa interview in the designated centers

The ultimate guide on How to Evaluate your Profile for Masters – Download Now

Lifestyle and Expenses

The biggest deterrent to students wishing to apply to Canada is the weather. Temperatures can dip as low as -25°C in winters with heavy snowfall and storms forcing you to stay indoors for days on end. By comparison, the US offers more variety- states like California and Florida are perennially warm and dry, with the occasional spell of rain.

The US also boasts of a large Indian diaspora, which is often an important factor for many Indian students who start to feel homesick in a few months. The Indian community in Canada is comparatively smaller, but not non-existent.

When it comes to living expenses like rent and utilities, Canada is leaps and bounds ahead, with lower rents and transportation costs. Cities like Toronto and Montreal are extremely student-friendly, with student discounts available almost everywhere- from restaurants to clothing stores and movie theatres. Additionally, Canada is much safer, and has lower crime rates and stringent gun laws.

Did you know that according to the figures from the University of Alberta, the average living costs for an international student is $16,800 (Canadian Dollars) for an entire year?

Post Study Work Permit

One key reason for aspirants to study abroad, is job opportunities. Let’s look at the work permit options available in the USA. 

The immigration process of the USA is pretty rigid, and thus it is imperative for a student to look at the options available. Some of the common post study visa options are shared next

• F1 Visa – Allows a student to stay up to 12 months post completion of his/her studies in the USA for the purpose of practical training.
• M1 Visa – Valid for a year, the student can work in the US up to 6 months after his/her studies is completed, for the purpose of practical training. This visa is extendable up to 3 years.
• J1 Visa – International students who are participating in educational or cultural exchange programs, under which they are eligible to teach, study, conduct research and also work as trainees, or carry out their internships. For a student to get the J1 Visa, he/she must have sponsorship from a J1 Host and J1 Sponsor

To work in Canada, a student must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit within 180 days of the University issuing his/her final marks. This allows the student to work in Canada up to a period of 3 years.

Jobs and Career Opportunities

Of course, the US has a massive job market, but in recent years, recession and unemployment rates have soared, making it difficult to secure a job. Canada too has faced these problems, but on a relatively smaller scale. 

The biggest difference between Canada and the US in terms of employment is that it is much easier to pursue part-time jobs in Canada. In the US, if you wish to work while studying, you will have to obtain an OPT (Optional Practical Training), but the job you undertake must be related to your field. In Canada, however, you are allowed to undertake almost any job, since your study permit doubles up as a work permit too. Also, it is important to note, that

After graduating, the average salary for an MS student in the US is about USD 69,000 (Rs 49 lakhs approx.) per annum, while in Canada it is lower at CAD 70,000 (Rs 35 lakhs approx.) per annum. Vast scope for research, huge opportunities to study in interdisciplinary fields, excellent work opportunities combined with building a strong network, with connections ranging from fellow students, to employees of upcoming startups and well-recognized professors and academicians makes the US a lucrative country for postgraduate studies.

Despite the lack of proper job security at fresher level in the US, the graduate employability scores provided by Quacquarelli Symonds, as a part of their annual reports, gives the USA the edge in better job opportunities, and graduate employability as opposed to Canada. The following parameters are considered in terms of graduate employability

• Graduate Employment Rate
• Association and Partnership with Employers
• Connection between employers and students
• Reputation of the employer
• Alumni Outcomes

Let us look at the top 10 universities of both, the US and Canada in terms of Graduate employability rankings predicted for 2020.

Table 4: Graduate Employability Rankings – Source: QS Reports

Considering these rankings, and the parameters used to ascertain the rankings, it is safe to say, the US is at a much better position in terms of graduate employability. Thus, aspirants who wish to study in Canada, or study in the US, could get a better view on career opportunities in both graduate schools and post graduate programs.

In sum, we highly recommend that you apply to a combination of both American and Canadian universities in order to maximize your chances of admissions. Barring a few minor differences, both countries are almost the same in the educational sphere. The US and Canada are leaders in providing high-quality education and job opportunities and thus make for an excellent study abroad destination.

Like the old adage that says, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”

Similarly, it is smart as well as practical to not bank your MS dreams on one university or one destination alone. Increase your chances of an admit by exploring cost-effective options worldwide.

Hope this blog has made an attempt to cover most of  the queries that the audience had!

Please drop your comments below.

The post Studying in Canada vs USA – Which is better? appeared first on 91�ȱ� Blog.

Syllabus for 91�ȱ� Verbal Section

First, let’s try getting a hang of the 91�ȱ� Verbal syllabus, shall we? The 91�ȱ� score is split equally between the 91�ȱ� Verbal section and 91�ȱ� Quant, which means that each section carries a maximum score of 160 apiece. Out of the forty questions on the Verbal, a significant chunk (around 50%) is taken up by the Reading Comprehension (or RCs), which means that overall, 25% of your 91�ȱ� score hinges on your performance in the RCs. The other 50% of the 91�ȱ� Verbal section is based on Text Completion questions (TCs) and sentence equivalence. With the RCs, you are required to read, understand and analyze often complex essays in order to figure out the author’s intent and viewpoint, infer information (whether implied or not) from the paras and grasp how one part of the essay relates to the others. 

In TC, you must provide the missing phrase or word in the passage after taking cognizance of the overall sense and context of the essay, thus exhibiting his 91�ȱ� vocabulary and ability to comprehend the text at hand.

Lastly, with sentence equivalence, you need to fill in the blanks with the aptest word, and then select a synonymous word from a choice of six. Once again, here too you must be quick with unpacking the overarching context, and then work out which two words are the best suited.

Now, we will move on to discussing the two most important Verbal practice question types: the RC and the TC & SE,  and how you can go about excelling in all the three 91�ȱ� verbal section.

Reading Comprehension 

Typically, both of the two sections on the Verbal component will have about five RC passages, which could range from short (one paragraph) to long (five paragraphs). The questions per section will be anywhere between one to five, making up a total of ten reading comprehension questions per section and twenty reading comprehension questions in total. Also, do you want to understand how to Get the Central Idea of the Passage in your first read,

There are three types of RC questions: 

1) The usual Multiple-Choice questions, where you must pick one right answer choices out of the available five.

2)  Multiple-Choice questions where you will have three answers, and you’ll have to choose every correct answer choice.

3) Select-in-passages, a relatively new type of question, where you have to click on a sentence in the passage to answer the question asked.

Now, take a look at this RC passage below, time yourself,  and attempt to solve the questions that follow:

The grey wolf is also known as the timber wolf or wolf is a mammal of the order Carnivore. Genetic studies indicate the grey wolf shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog and might be its ancestor. Many other grey wolf subspecies have been identified, however, the actual number of subspecies is still open to discussion. Though once abundant over much of North America and areas of Europe and Asia, the grey wolf inhabits a very small portion of its former range because of widespread destruction of its habitat. Gray wolves are highly adaptable and have thrived in forests, deserts, mountains, tundra, and grasslands. They function as social predators and hunt in packs organized according to strict social hierarchies. It was originally believed that this comparatively high level of social organization was related to hunting success, and while this still may be true to a certain extent, emerging theories suggest that the pack has less to do with hunting and more to do with reproductive success. 

1. We can understand from the passage that the grey wolf —-.

A) is able to survive in a wide variety of habitats

B) prefers to hunt individually rather than in groups

C) was once found in every continent of the world in great numbers

D) has been proved to be the ancestor of the domestic dog and all its subspecies

E) and the timber wolf are two different species of wolf

2. It is understood from the passage that —-.

A) the number of grey wolf subspecies has been determined with certainty by researchers

B) there are few grey wolf subspecies which continue living today

C) grey wolf subspecies have increased in number in the last decades

D) it is known that many grey wolf subspecies have already become extinct

E) there is no consensus on how many grey wolf subspecies exist

3. According to the passage, in the light of the genetic studies carried out, It has been found out that —-.

A) the domestic dog could have descended from the grey wolf

B) the grey wolf and the domestic dog are the subspecies of a kind of wolf having lived thousands of years ago

C) the dog is believed to be an ancestor of the grey wolf

D) grey wolves live in very large packs

E) grey wolves live only in Europe and Asia today

Answers: A, E, A

How much time did you take to solve this paragraph? Did you find it relatively easy, or did you have to struggle with it? Try and analyze the quality of your answers: in the stipulated time, how many answers did you get right, and how many did you get wrong?

The RC is usually the one section of the 91�ȱ� test that tends to daunt even the most accomplished students. Why is this the case? Well, here are some of the most common difficulties that candidates face while taking the RC:

1. Poor vocabulary: Of course, you don’t have to be Shashi Tharoor to ace the 91�ȱ�, but it certainly helps if you organically build your vocabulary over time instead of trying to cram the Manhattan Vocabulary guide three days before the exam. Also to build your vocabulary effectively, check out the WordBot app to learn

2. Being intimidated by the complexity: 91�ȱ� RCS are deliberately designed to be as complex and esoteric as possible simply to intimidate the candidate on the test day and slow them down. Don’t fall for this!

3. Not making notes: Students end up not putting their scratchpad to good use. When you’re reading, make notes of whatever catches your eye, whether they be facts, figures, or statistics. It will certainly come in handy later.

4. Spending too much time: No matter what, a short RC, such as the one above, must be completed in under 3 minutes, while for the longer ones, you mustn’t take more than 5 minutes. Don’t spend too much time fixating on anyone’s essay or paragraph.

4. Making assumptions: Reading with a biased mind will cloud your judgments and will mislead you into the wrong answers. Tackle the RCs without bringing in any outside knowledge: inferences are fine, not assumptions.

Finally, here are some tips to ace the RCs:

1. Read widely: Planning to go to grad school next year? We’d recommend you pick up the daily newspaper, or even your favorite magazine right this second! Yes, we mean it! Organically building your vocabulary is the best way to go about acing the 91�ȱ� verbal section: start reading widely and actively, note down words that are new or strange, and then commit them to your memory. Further, 91�ȱ� offers WordBot, a vocabulary-building tool through which you can learn new words in a fun, effective way. Curious? Check it out

2. Try and unpack the tone and intent: Is the author critical? Are they perhaps complementary and laudatory? Or are they just neutral? Figuring out intent from the outset can help you approach the RC passage in a more organized fashion, and will aid in figuring out the meanings of unfamiliar words/phrases. A good idea is to look for descriptions and make a ‘happy face’ or ‘sad face’ near that paragraph to indicate the mood of the author.

3. The devil is in the details, and this is even more true for the 91�ȱ� RCs. As we said earlier, these passages are usually packed with all kinds of details designed to slow you down. As a discerning reader and test-taker, it is important to remember that more often than not, these details are simply there to daunt you. Begin by skim-reading the paragraph to grasp the overall summary, and then go back to the details when the answer demands it.

4. Save the most difficult or daunting passage for the last. Remember, all the questions on the 91�ȱ� verbal section carry the same marks, so reach for the low hanging fruit first. Tackle the passages you find easy and approachable. The RCs are taken from a wide range of subjects- from history to mathematics and ecology, so find the ones you are familiar with. 

Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence 

The remaining questions on the 91�ȱ� Verbal section are Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence, both of which are similar, yet different. Both are essentially predicated on your ability to unpack context and insert the appropriate words to complete them. With Text Completion, you will be given multiple sentences, or even a paragraph, with up to 3 blanks, which you will then have to fill in. Each blank only has 3 possible answers, but in order to get the question right, you must fill in all 3 of them correctly. To understand about Text Completion and Sentence equivalence in more depth,

Generally, there are three types of 91�ȱ� TC questions: 

1. Single blank: Here, you will be given a single blank, and a choice of five answers, from which you have to pick one. There will be a total of four single blank questions. 

2. Double blank: In this one, there will be two blanks to fill, with 3 options for each blank. You can expect a total of four-five double blank questions.

3. Triple blank: With 3 options for each blank, you need to fill in three different blanks to complete the sentence. Watch out for a total of three or four triple blank questions in total. 

Take a look at this TC question, and attempt to solve it:

Addiction can be viewed as continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the ____________ associated with it. The substance or activity may have originally provided pleasure and enjoyment. However, over a period of time ____________ the substance or activity is needed to feel normal.

Answers: A, D

How much time did you take to complete this TC exercise? Ideally, you mustn’t spend more than 1-2 minutes on such a question. Shorter TCs, with just one blank, must be completed in under a minute.

Let’s now discuss the Sentence Equivalence task, a recent addition to the 91�ȱ�.  Take a look at this question, and attempt to find 2 words that may be used to complete the sentence, and can be used as synonyms.

Sam’s pyromaniac younger brother had a habit of singeing the tips of his hair; the unpleasant result was a ________ smell that permeated the house

(A)    querulous

(B)    banal

(C)    pithy

(D)    acrid

(E)    pungent

(F)    dull

Burnt hair smells terrible. If you don’t know this, the key phrase is “unpleasant result.” You might come up for a word to fit the blank such as “nasty.” So, the answer is (D) and (E).

Let us now go over some of the difficulties that students face while attempting the Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence sections, and how you can overcome them.

1. Looking for relationships, and not synonyms: this is a classic, oft-repeated mistake that candidates make, where they seek an agreement between words, and not the synonyms of the words: that because of one thing, the other thing is related. Do not fall into this trap: remember, your sole objective is to find synonyms, not cause-and-effect relationships.

2. Not reading the entire sentence: With longer sentences, especially, there is a temptation to stop reading once you figure out the missing word. More often than not, the second part of the sentence contains a complete reversal in tone and intent, so be watchful.

3. Being intimidated by unfamiliar words: In the paragraph above, you may be daunted since you don’t know the meaning of ‘pyromaniac’, but that doesn’t really matter. You are often given major hints (here in the word ‘unpleasant’), so there is no need to be bogged down by fear of the unknown.

4. Ignoring the context: With 91�ȱ� TC and SEs, context is king. Understand the tone of the sentence first, figure out if it is negative, positive, or neutral, and then go about figuring out the words to fill in. Ignoring the context is the gravest error you can make.

Now, here are some effective tips to conquer the Text Equivalence and Sentence Completion questions of 91�ȱ� Verbal Section:

1. Use the process of elimination: Too many choices can be quite deterring, so if possible, try and eliminate the obviously wrong or incompatible answers to make your task a little easier.

2. Figure out the signal words or phrases: As mentioned above, the word ‘unpleasant’ is the biggest giveaway, and we can easily deduce the synonyms from that word alone.

3. Once you’ve chosen your answers, read the paragraph again and plug in the words you’ve picked to see if it still makes sense. If it doesn’t, you can go back to it if time permits, and edit it accordingly.

4. Another great idea is to insert your own words in the sentence, and then looking through the answers for words that are similar. Start by writing a simple word that you are familiar with, and think fits in well, and then seek out synonyms.

5. Practice, and then practice some more: Work on as many TC and SE questions as possible to get a handle on the style and format of the questions. Who knows, maybe one of your practice questions may just turn up on your official 91�ȱ� exam!

We hope you found this blog illuminating and helpful, and wish you all the best on your grad school journey.

 For an even more detailed lowdown on the 91�ȱ� Verbal section, be sure to download our ultimate guide here. Did we mention it’s completely free? Yes, what are you waiting for?! 

The post How to pace the 91�ȱ� Verbal Section? appeared first on 91�ȱ� Blog.

If I had prepared better for it, I’d have scored better.”
– A cliched statement from most students after an exam?

Well, as Rohan (an MS Aspirant like you) stepped out of the test center after his 91�ȱ� general test, he said this with a heavy heart.

He aspired to get a Master’s admission in one of the top business schools in the United States, but now he knew his dreams were crushed. A small problematic pit during his 91�ȱ� prep had turned into a huge roadblock, indefinitely delaying his dreams.

Can you guess what it was?

Well, during his preparation he could see that 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence Questions (TC & SE) were giving him some trouble. Sadly, he didn’t pay much attention to this. The chief reason for this was that he did not know how to read or practice properly for these sections.��

He just looked at some sample questions and thought they would be enough.

THEY WERE NOT!

But it was not Rohan’s fault. He didn’t know where he was going wrong or how he could correct himself.

This is a typical situation that many of the test-takers practicing on their own face.

So, how do you master the 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence questions?

This blog will show you how in three easy steps. And hey, if you want to know more about Verbal Prep, Check this out!

Before we look at the steps, let’s find out who is scoring low in the 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence?

Who scores low in TC & SE?

To answer this, we have to look at the big picture first – for this, we have to start with 91�ȱ� Verbal.��

In 91�ȱ� Verbal, a score of 155 out of 170 is considered good.

Source: 91�ȱ� Worldwide Test-Taker Report, July 2013–June 2018 by ETS.

However, the latest data by ETS clearly shows that Indian test-takers on an average are scoring 145.6 – this score is 10 to 15 points less than what you should be aiming for.��

But which section of test-takers are scoring low? Is it confined to aspirants of a particular graduate level? Technically, a test-taker coming from an engineering, business, or academic background should be scoring high, as they are frequently in touch with the English language. Is that the case?

Let’s find that out too.

Source: 91�ȱ� Worldwide Test-Taker Report, July 2013–June 2018 by ETS.

So, clearly, in the race for getting a high 91�ȱ� Verbal score, you are not alone. It’s evident, the problem is not with aspirants in a particular field – it’s with everyone.

We wanted to find out WHY!

Why Are Test-Takers Scoring Low (in 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence)?

We consulted the 91�ȱ���Verbal SFAs at 91�ȱ� to get to the roots of the matter. They guide students throughout their preparation, clear all their doubts and help students get the best scores possible.

With their help, we dug deep and found out the exact problem that every 91�ȱ� test-taker is facing.

Everyone, regardless of their level of preparation— advanced, intermediate, or beginner—faces the same hurdles, always.

These are divided broadly into two types:

1. Not being able to comprehend the question and
2. Inability to weed out the wrong answers due to weak vocabulary.

(Do you face any other problems other than these? Let us know in the Comments section below.)

These problems are why 91�ȱ� aspirants are scoring low in 91�ȱ� Verbal, in general, and in 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence Questions, in particular. Don’t worry, each of these can be tackled easily – just by following the 3 steps.

Master 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence – The 3 Steps!

The Verbal section is considered the hardest in 91�ȱ� – Indian aspirants see this as the Goliath. If they underestimate it, they get squished; if they fear it, they fail to slay it.

In the two sections of Verbal – 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence questions – you will have to solve six Text Completion questions and four Sentence Equivalence questions in each.

Don’t make this mistake:

Students tend to confuse Sentence Equivalence questions of 91�ȱ� Verbal with the Sentence Completion questions of GMAT.

They are as different as chalk and cheese.

Both sections require you to fill in the blanks. 91�ȱ� Sentence Equivalence questions will only have one blank while the number of blanks may reach up to three in the Text Completion questions.��

If you’re asking, how hard can that be,

check out this Text Completion question:

While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills, it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle.

Try and solve it on your own first.

Ans: (i) A. denigrates (ii) F. beleaguered (iii) H. incorporating

Did you get it right?

Kudos to you if you did—if you didn’t, don’t worry.

Follow the three steps and see how to solve questions like these.

STEP 1. Investigate!

Before solving the question, the first step is to find the clue in the question or statement given to you.

In the given question, pay attention to this phrase:

“…the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market…”

From the phrase “under assault”, we infer that the answers will be “negative words”. Such words express disagreement or rejection. 

Also, look at the following:

“…the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion …“

The word “fusion” instructs us to scout for words hinting at “j�Ǿ��Ծ��Բ�” or “coming together” 

These are clues we have to investigate and find out. To obtain clues, look for phrases or words that give the tone of the message. Once you understand where the question is pointing, you are one step closer to the answer.

Great, we now have “The Clue”—look for negative words.

Let’s proceed to the next step.

STEP 2. Break them apart & interpret them!

Before proceeding, let’s look at the whole question again:

While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills, it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle.

The statement as a whole is hard to understand. 

Roadblock alert! A majority of students fail here owing to the tough language used. Let’s clear this hurdle.

In the exam, when faced with such a question, break the question into parts and analyze them.��

Let’s break our question into two parts:

Consider the first two blanks:

“While Knapp’s research (i) __________ the fact that traditional houses are (ii) __________ under assault from the market economy, rapid urbanization, and declining craft skills,”

Here, the question is talking about a researcher called Knapp. His finding has come under fire due to his opinions about the plight of traditional houses. So our clue is confirmed—we have to look for “negative words”

Now concentrate on this part: 

“…it fails to address the scope of (iii) __________ tradition within modernity―the fusion of which is the right way to progress―thus portraying a picture of a losing battle…”

Here, we understand that Knapp has failed to look at traditionality and modernity together. This cements our second clue. So by breaking the sentence into two parts, we can comprehend what the question is really about and confirm what type of words we need to find.

Fantastic. 

Now that we know what words we need, let’s find out what those words are.

STEP 3. Solve the puzzle!

Look at the options with their meanings:

A. denigrates— criticize unfairly   
B. epitomizes—be a perfect example of
C. distorts—give a misleading or false account
D. restructured—organize differently
E. refurbished—renovate and redecorate
F. beleaguered—put in a very difficult situation
G. replacing—take the place of
H. incorporating—include with something 
I. dissociating—disconnect or separate

From the above steps and the meanings of the words, it is crystal clear that��

the answers will be―denigrates, beleaguered, and incorporating.��

After that, the only thing you have to do is put the words in the right place.

And there you have it. You have just solved one of the hard Text Completion questions in 91�ȱ� Verbal. For Sentence Equivalence questions,�� you just have to follow the same steps. The only thing you have to remember is―be very clear in STEP 2, i.e., understand the question. Your whole answer will depend on this. Understanding the context and knowing the meanings of the words is paramount to answering these 91�ȱ� Verbal questions.

BONUS STEP: Scan & Confirm

Remember, in these types of 91�ȱ� Verbal questions having multiple blanks―all blanks must be filled correctly. There is no partial marking―it’s All in or Out.

Always read the statements again and check if you have plugged in the answers to confirm its correctness.

Get Every 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence Question Right—What to Do?

Now that you know the three steps, you need to start implementing them in your 91�ȱ� practice tests. But, if you are not trained appropriately, it can be quite tough to implement them—especially in a time-constrained environment like you will face in the 91�ȱ� test center. The language used is very difficult and they are designed to throw students off their feet.��

So, how do you train yourself?

The SFAs have the answer, and they have given two easy tips to hone your 91�ȱ� Verbal skills. Commit them to memory and practice them earnestly

Upgrade Your Vocabulary

This may sound simple, but doing it is quite tough. To upgrade your 91�ȱ� vocabulary, you need to master the words and not just learn them. Learning the words with the help of visuals is the ideal way. The “WordBot” App by 91�ȱ� is perfect for learning in this manner. It helps you learn important 91�ȱ� words with visuals and has numerous practice tests that help you evaluate your learning. Learn 20 to 30 words every day. Take practice tests, but not right after learning the words. Take them after a day or two; this will ensure you remember the 91�ȱ� Verbal words you have learned. If you don’t, revise them again. Revision of the words learned is also very vital for improving your vocabulary.��

To know what words to prioritize, check out this ebook on “High priority 91�ȱ� Words”

Enhance Your Comprehension

Read the newspaper editorial to familiarize yourself with the tough language used in 91�ȱ� Verbal. Publications like The Hindu, The Times of India, etc. are suggested as they use similar language and vocabulary to the 91�ȱ� Verbal test. This will make sure that you get used to the level of language and vocabulary used in various questions of 91�ȱ� Verbal.��

In Conclusion

If you utilize these two tips and implement the three steps in your practice and exam, you will gradually see yourself finding the 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence hurdles vanishing.��

If Rohan knew these steps and tips he could have got his dream-admit.

It may be too late for Rohan, but if you follow these, it is not so for you!

Training yourself for the main stage or test day is the need of the hour. 

Remember your 91�ȱ� prep will be a marathon and not a sprint.

And, if you have any doubts, leave a comment below and we will surely get back to you.

Happy Learning

The post 3 Rules to Master the 91�ȱ� Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence appeared first on 91�ȱ� Blog.

Do you want to know in-depth about the TOEFL exam?

Are you aware of the new changes in TOEFL that have been incorporated?

If you are unsure of any of the above questions, then you’ve landed in the right place. Here, we will take you through what the TOEFL really is about, who conducts it, why it is important, and what you can do to best prepare for it. Moreover, since the 1^st of August 2019, there have been some changes in the TOEFL exam, and we will guide you through those as well!

What is the TOEFL?

Devised and conducted by the Educational Testing Service (), the ‘Test of English as a Foreign Language’ – or TOEFL as it is commonly known – is a very popular exam that tests students’ proficiency in the English language. Accepted by American universities, this test forms a mandatory prerequisite for most schools abroad. 

The ETS states that “the TOEFL tests an international student’s usage and understanding of English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university surroundings”. The sole proprietary of this exam rests with the ETS, and thus the responsibility for setting the TOEFL questions, its conduction, and correction is in their hands.��

The TOEFL is a year-round exam, which means that students are given the freedom to choose from multiple TOEFL test dates across the span of a year, and can even select their preferred test centers to appear in for their exam. This test can also be attempted as many times as the candidate chooses to, but to take a re-test the student must wait for a 12-day period after their previous attempt. There are two kinds of TOEFL exams – Internet-based (TOEFL iBT) and paper-based. Both are priced at US$180.��

The scoring ranges are as follows:

• Reading: 0–30
• Listening: 0–30
• Speaking: 0–30
• Writing: 0–30

What are the changes in the TOEFL exam?

Earlier in the year, the governing body ETS announced that from the 1^st of August 2019 there would be significant changes in the format and pattern of this exam. These major changes will be in the Reading, Listening, as well as Speaking sections. The table below shows the comparison between the 2018 format and the updated 2019 format:

Other Changes

The primary reason behind these changes is to help reduce fatigue and lower stress levels in students, invariably helping them to achieve higher scores overall.

The table above shows the major changes in the Listening, Reading, and Speaking sections, while the Writing Section remains majorly untouched. Candidates will still have to complete two writing tasks in 50 minutes or under on one integrated and one independent topic.

However, one other aspect that the ETS has decided to change is their scoring policies. That’s right! The TOEFL exam 2019 (and henceforth) will contain a separate section in your score report, referred to as “MyBest Scores“.  

This section will combine the best result from each section over all the attempts you have given in the last two years. The IBT MyBest score works similar to the SAT scoring system. ETS will automatically pick your best sections (from your previous 2 years) and then combine them to create your highest score possible. So, if you had a wonderful TOEFL exam, but your overall scored was hampered due to one bad section – this will have you covered! 

Let’s look at an example. Imagine you took your TOEFL 4 times in the last 2 years. Hence:

Using this scoring system, your overall changes a dramatic 12 points! This has been put in place by the ETS to help candidates achieve their target scores and reduce the damaging effects of one bad section that could have otherwise cost you admission into the program of your choice.

To Summarize the Changes

To quickly summarize, there are seven major changes to keep in mind for your TOEFL 2019 exam. They are:

1. Independent Writing questions are slightly longer.
2. Students will also now find a warning that renders “used memorized examples” null and void for the independent Writing section.
3. In multiple-choice questions, candidates can now pick more than one option per question.
4. The Speaking questions are slightly longer than before
5. It is now possible to score 25 points in the Speaking section.
6. The “MyBest Score” section is added from August 2019.

How to Prepare for the New TOEFL Format?

Well, since there are all these changes – the most common question that arises is:

“What do I do to prepare for the changes in TOEFL?”

The simple answer is nothing!

This is because of the systematic and comprehensive way in which the ETS has conducted these changes to augment the test-taking experience. Since no question types are added or removed from the Reading and Listening sections, your preparations will continue unhampered. Your question types all remain the same, and the difficulty, as well as weightage, aren’t doctored. In fact, your overall time of the exam has decreased by 30 minutes, so that it’s easier to build up the stamina for this exam! 

These changes are great for everyone and will help you score higher as well!

We hope this article helps you in your preparation for your TOEFL. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. For more information, you can contact us directly at 91�ȱ�.com! 

Good day and good luck!

The post Changes in TOEFL Exam from August 1st, 2019 appeared first on 91�ȱ� Blog.