For 21-year-old Bianca Goncalo from São Paulo, Brazil, learning English was never just about language. A dreamer with a passion for marketing, she knew from a young age that mastering English would one day open doors to studying and working abroad. With the support of her language school and a strong desire to grow, she made that dream a reality—starting with the Michigan English Test (MET).
“I started studying English when I was about eight years old,” Goncalo said. “I had to stop for a while, but when I was 18 I joined FISK and resumed learning.”
The school, one of Brazil’s leading language institutions, helped her reignite her goal: earning an international certificate that would prove her English proficiency and allow her to take her education global.
Why MET?
Goncalo first heard about MET through FISK, which includes it as part of their advanced curriculum.
“After finishing our main courses, we had an extra year just to prepare for MET,” she said. “I knew that if I wanted to study abroad, I needed something official to show my level of English. MET had always been on my wish list.”
For Goncalo, the certification was as much about demonstrating her progress as it was about achieving a certain proficiency level.
“Of course, in real life you show what you know through communication,” she said. “But a certificate helps others recognize your abilities, too.”
Building Confidence Through Practice
Goncalo spent a full year preparing for MET, reviewing what she had learned and taking practice tests to become familiar with the exam format.
“We took around four practice tests before the real one. That helped me feel a lot less nervous,” she said. “I’d never taken a test like this before.”
To make English a part of her daily life, Goncalo found creative ways to stay immersed. She watched TV shows like Friends without subtitles, listened to English music, and read translations to build vocabulary.
“It’s not about one big study session,” she said. “You have to incorporate English into your daily routine, even if it’s difficult. Especially in Brazil, where it’s not easy to find people to speak English with, you have to create those moments yourself.”
A Calm and Focused Test Day
Despite her nerves, Goncalo’s test day experience was calm and focused. She tested alongside classmates she’d studied with for years, and her teacher was there for support.
“The environment really helped. Once I started the test, I focused completely. It felt like my moment,” she said.
She found the test structure clear and fair and, most importantly, true to life.
“The listening section really reflects how people speak in the real world. No one slows down for you just because you’re learning. That made it challenging, but also very real,” she said.
More Than a Test Score
When Goncalo received her results, she was overjoyed.
“I was emotional when I saw my scores,” she said. “It felt like proof that everything I worked for was worth it. It was more than just a test result. This felt like a personal victory.”
Soon after receiving her certificate, Goncalo applied to a post-graduate program in marketing and strategy through The Latin American Institute of Business (LAIOB). Thanks to her hard work, dedication, and C1-level performance on MET, she earned acceptance into a short-term program at the University of Akron in the U.S., along with a 50 percent scholarship.
A Reliable, Real-World Assessment
When asked to describe MET in a few words, Goncalo chose: reliable, internationally recognized, and true to real-world English.
Her story is a testament to what’s possible when determination meets opportunity with MET.
Goncalo’s path is just one example of how MET can help learners achieve their global goals. Whether you’re dreaming of studying abroad, advancing your career, or simply proving your English proficiency, MET offers a flexible and trusted way forward.
Learn more about MET and how it can support your journey on our MET page.