How To Prepare For English Grammar Test – A Helpful Guide with Practice Assessments

Did you receive an invitation to take a grammar test from a potential employer? A grammar test is commonly used in the screening process to recruit competent employees. Even for non-administrative roles, a language test is necessary.

In this article, you will learn about the structure of a grammar test, how to pass it, and what to expect in the pre-employment assessment process.

Why Do You Need to Take a Grammar Test?

Companies ask candidates to take a grammar test to assess their language proficiency. A lot of candidates mistakenly believe that they are exempt from taking the test if they are native speakers. The test is applicable to every applicant.

Using English as a first language increases the chance of misusing the language in official communication. A grammar test maintains high-quality communication by measuring one’s language proficiency.

Wrong grammar can lead to chaos at work. Companies cannot afford miscommunication due to poor grammar. The test is the best way to vet capable candidates. Besides, a strong command of English reflects your communication skills.

The refusal to take the test will end your candidacy. An exemption may only be given if you have completed other English tests within a certain time frame. The legitimacy of the test is up to the company to judge.

What Is a Grammar Test?

In a grammar test, you have to complete straightforward tense sentences. There are several types of questions. The simplest ones will ask you to choose the correct spelling of words in different tenses. In the sentence completion section, you will be given a few sentences. You have to fill in the blanks.

Other test formats include finding wrong grammar usage in paragraphs, identifying the right terminology, and sentence reconstruction. Each section contains a key target for candidates to tackle.

Grammatical rules will be given to candidates at the beginning of each section. You have to follow the rules carefully. Sometimes, words are missing in the paragraphs. Candidates need to find a way to structure the sentences for the content to flow smoothly.

A grammar test often covers a wide selection of questions and mix with other topics. Only highly specialized grammar tests will be entirely based on English grammar. Combing it with vocabulary usage is common.

You have to decide if you can replace a word with another while maintaining the same grammatical integrity. There could be scenarios where a synonym only applies to certain tenses. Candidates must exercise their judgment on a case-by-case basis.

Is a Grammar Test Difficult?

A grammar test is widely regarded as the most difficult section of an English test. There are delicate rules in the English language that even English professors may find hard to master. It is easy to confuse the terms. Therefore, it is almost impossible to score full marks on most grammar tests.

In light of the unusual difficulty, a grammar test generally has a more lenient grading scale. Candidates can pass with a lower score, in comparison to other tests like a vocabulary test or reading test.

Unless you are applying to a language-specific position, companies are not too strict about achieving high scores on a grammar test as long as you pass the requirement. Therefore, despite being a tough test, there is no need to panic. Candidates should strive to achieve a high score without putting too much pressure.

How to Prepare for a Grammar Test?

1. Complete Your English Test Practice Set

Grasping the concept of a grammar test through reading is proven to be less effective than doing it. Job Test Prep has a full library of advanced language tests for job seekers to perfect their test-taking skills.

Mastering a language itself does not necessarily help with your answering techniques. In an exam, there are tips for scoring higher by following the answer key. Job Test Prep has compiled a long study guide for your needs. It covers how each grammar test is structured and what candidates can do to score the highest.

It also provides many practice tests so you can horn your answering skills. If you need support, there is a 24/7 support team ready to help you out. It is the most outstanding platform of its kind in boosting each candidate’s performance. 

2. Understand the Job Nature

Each pre-employment assessment serves a purpose. The grammar tests you take relates to the position applied. For example, if you have applied to a marketing role, expect the content to be heavily commercial-oriented. On the other hand, if you have applied for a research role, the test content is likely about scientific findings or studies.

Once you have identified the scope, you can start the respective preparation. Blindly revising every topic is proven to be a waste of time. Studying content relevant to your job position is the best way to gain an advantage.

3. Identify Job-Specific Test

Whether a company chooses to outsource its employment assessment, the test will follow the same format. Candidates should go through job-specific tests from the company to get an idea of how the test is structured.

Job Test Prep has thousands of tests specific to companies in its database. From regional institutions to multi-national corporations, it covers a large proportion of positions in these companies.

4. Spread Out the Preparation Process

If your English foundation is not profound, you should consider starting your preparation early. Don’t wait until you are invited to the test. Grab your practice set before you apply to any jobs. Once you are applying to different roles, you are caught up in the application process, leaving less time to study.

Native English speakers may underestimate the importance of studying for an English test. Speaking the language daily and understanding the language composition is entirely different. Every speaker’s conversational English is unlikely to be enough in a professional setting without training.

5. Read More

If you are applying for a scientific role, read more about other publications. When you are reading through their findings, try to spot any possible grammatical mistakes and learn from their sentence structure.

Although research papers should always be high in quality, there are sub-par publishings to avoid. You should only read from credible sources for consistency so the English is mistake-free. With time, you will be able to subconsciously spot incorrect sentences.

6. Calculate the Weight of Each Section

In a grammar test, every section carries a different weight and candidates should allocate their time accordingly. Spend more time on high-weighted sections to earn more points. This is an exam technique for candidates to focus on questions that carry more points.

Time yourself during each practice session. Understand your strength and weaknesses to analyze the fastest way to finish a set. Some candidates may complete the set faster by jumping from question to question, while others prefer to follow the flow. There is no right or wrong as long as it works for you.

7. Be Aware of Your Conversational English

It is a natural habit for people to speak semi-broken English casually. A lot of colloquial terms are used, which damages your ability to speak professionally if needed. Start correcting yourself so you are always speaking in the best manner.

Separating your English professionally and privately is challenging. There is no harm in using correct grammar in conversations. It improves your language skills faster. Keep this habit and you should excel in every English test. 

What Other Tests Are Included in an English Exam?

A grammar test is merely one part of the English exam. Companies may incorporate the grammar section into one big English test while others separate it as a standing test on its own. Other English tests include the reading test, the listening test, and the speaking test.

Each test contributes to the final score with a different weight. For example, the speaking test typically counts less. The English test gives a full view of a candidate’s command to avoid undesirable miscommunication at work and maintain a professional outlook when talking to clients and supervisors.

Plenty of international companies value the use of professional English for their brand. Candidates have to possess a high level of language skills to succeed in their roles. If your role does not require regular use of the language, you will only be required to pass the test.

However, if you are applying for administrative roles where English is regularly used, you are required to pass with a high score.

What Happens After You Pass the Grammar Test?

The English test is possibly the first test you will encounter during the hiring process. After passing the whole set with satisfactory results, you will be invited to the next stage. Job-specific tests are administered next to determine your professional knowledge in the field.

These tests are all done online for the ease of everyone. Once the initial stage is over, you will attend a few physical or over-the-phone interviews. The panel will ask in-depth questions about your previous experience and expectations for the role.

In recent years, companies begin to value compatibility, meaning a candidate’s personality will be thoroughly examined. Your personal traits are considered part of the package. During these interviews, you could be asked to do further tests at a test center. These tests will be very specific to the role.

Group interviews are common so companies can bulk interview candidates to assess their cooperation and communication skills. Your group will be assigned a topic to discuss. It is solution-oriented.

The point is not to come up with a fully functioning solution but to demonstrate strong leadership and reasoning skills. The thinking process is more important than the results during the short timeframe given.

After all the pre-employment assessments are completed, the company will notify you regarding the result announcement. Typically, successful candidates are contacted within 14 working days. Unsuccessful candidates may or may not be contacted. 

If you have any questions about the contract or benefits, inquire as soon as possible to the HR manager. The firm may retract the offer if the applicant fails to respond. You are not obliged to take the offer. There is room for negotiation if you are unhappy with the offer.

However, it is polite to reject the offer if you do not intend to accept it. Being a responsible applicant leaves room for possible future collaborations. You are building a positive impression in case you ever want to work in the company again.

Politely inform the HR manager of your decision and that you look forward to future opportunities with the firm when the time is right.

Summary

Before you go in unprepared and fail the grammar test, download your practice sets on Job Test Prep. English proficiency is desirable and elevates your professionalism. Follow the study guide to master answering techniques so you can easily pass the requirement.