ABSTRACT
Triana, Depi. 2023. Students' Perceptions Towards The Significance of the Preparation of English Proficiency Test at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Ponorogo. Thesis. English Education Department, Muhmmadiyah University of Ponorogo. Advisors: (1) Siti Aisyah, M.Pd. (2) Niken Reti Indriastuti, M.Pd.
Keywords: Students’ Perception, Preparation for the English Proficiency Test

In the increasing demand for English proficiency for educational or career purposes, the English proficiency test (TOEFL) is used to determine an individual's level of English proficiencyGetting the desired results of English proficiency test could be challenging; therefore, test preparation is available to assist test takers in preparing for the test.
This study was aims to find out the role of test preparation strategies in improving students' abilities related to the English proficiency test and their perceptions of the significance of the preparation for the English proficiency test program.
The study was conducted at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Ponorogo with 11th grade students from the same billingual class as the subject of the research. A mixed-method convergent parallel design was used as the research design of the study. This study used a questionnaire and an interview as the instruments to collect the data.
The findings of the study show that the test preparation strategies—simulation, practice, and discussion—were well-accepted by students, and the program ran smoothly. The preparation program also received positive feedback from the students. The majority of the students admitted that they could recognize the general meaning, its important use, and the content type of an English proficiency test through this program. Students stated that after enrolling in the preparation program, they could do better on the post-test. They felt more aware of the significance of the English proficiency test for their future education and career after enrolling in the preparation program.