AI-Based Tutoring for Foreign Language Test Preparation for High School Students and Islamic Boarding School Students in Mandailing Natal

Lia Agustina Damanik (STAIN Mandailing Natal)
Irmasani Daulay (STAIN Mandailing Natal)

Unram Journal of Community Service (UJCS)
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): June

This community service program was designed to address the gap in access to international language test preparation in rural Mandailing Natal. The program involved 25 high school students and 25 Islamic boarding school students in a two-day intensive mentoring program that integrated artificial intelligence (AI) technology with structured learning strategies. A Participatory Action Research approach was implemented to ensure the program's relevance to local needs. The mentoring results showed a significant increase in participants' understanding of the IELTS and TOAFL formats, with an average increase of 0.5 points for IELTS and 4 points for TOAFL. Most participants successfully mastered the use of ChatGPT, SpeakPrac, and Duolingo for self-study. Participants' confidence in facing international exams was significantly improved. The program demonstrated that AI technology can complement in-person learning to increase the accessibility of quality education.