The IELTS exam is essentially a test of your English proficiency. The immigration service uses the results of this exam to determine if you are fluent enough in English to study or work in the nation. It is a vital document that must be included with your visa application.
Do you want to know how to prepare for IELTS to score a band of 8 or better on your first try? Do you feel incapable of developing the necessary abilities, or do you believe they can pass without preparation? If you intend to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), bear in mind that your IELTS score and success are determined by factors other than preparation.
Consistent practice and a well-planned preparation strategy are key to achieving a good score. Some degree of preparedness is usually advantageous. Every IELTS candidate aspires to learn some short suggestions for preparing for the IELTS exam. This blog aims to provide a wealth of IELTS exam preparation information from industry specialists. So, let’s look at the ideas professionals have often offered for successful IELTS exam preparation.
To earn a high IELTS exam score, you must extensively prepare for the four modules. Strategize your preparation; Utilize your time in a planned and consistent way.
Whether you want to start preparing a month ago or 15 days before the test (depending on your ability) spend at least 1.5- 2 hours every day.
Types of IELTS test
There are two types of tests. They are:
IELTS Academic:
IELTS Academic is for those wanting to study in an English-speaking nation. IELTS Academic and General Speaking and Listening are the same.
IELTS Academic Writing tests a candidate’s ability to understand and write academically. IELTS Academic Reading tests your ability to read books, journals, periodicals, and newspapers.
IELTS General
IELTS General Training assesses English language competence in a practical, everyday setting. The exercises and assessments are designed to reflect both working and social circumstances. Take this test if you want to study or train at a lower level than a bachelor’s degree, work or pursue vocational training in an English-speaking nation.
How to start your IELTS preparation?
We have gathered the best ways to prepare for the IELTS. Keep scrolling to get the full run-through of what to expect.
Knowing the IELTS test format:
Before beginning IELTS preparation, the first thing to consider is a thorough comprehension of the IELTS exam structure.
- The following is the test’s content: Understand the IELTS modules and the elements inside each module.
- The test’s timing: Learn about the duration of each part
- Reading time: 60 minutes
- Speaking-11-14 minutes
- Writing-60 minutes
- 30 minutes of listening
- Scoring: In general, all IELTS scores are assessed on a scale of 0 to 9.
What you need to know for the IELTS Academic test
Listening: The listening test consists of four parts, each with 10 questions. The first two parts are concerned the social needs. Part one is a conversation between two speakers and the second part is a monologue. The final two parts are concerned with aspects related to training or educational contest. The third part is a discussion between up to 4 people, and the fourth part is a monologue. Various questions are used, including multiple-choice, matching, plan map diagram labelling, form completion note completion table completion, flowchart completion, summary completion, sentence completion and short answer questions.
Candidates are allowed to hear the recording only once and answer the questions as a lesson. 10 minutes are allowed at the end for candidates to transfer the answers to the answer sheet.
Reading: This part consists of three sections and 640 questions. There are three tests, which are taken from books, magazines, journals, and newspapers. The test carries topics of general interest. At least one test contains a detailed logical argument. The variety of questions includes the form of multiple-choice, Identifying information, identifying the writer’s views and claims, matching information features headings, sentence endings, sentence, summary, note, table, flow chart, diagram, level, and note completion, and short -answer questions.
Writing: This is the most challenging aspect of IELTS if you don’t prepare properly. The test comprises two tasks to be completed in 60 minutes. Candidates generally spend about 20 minutes on task one which requires them to write at least 150 words and 40 minutes on task 2 which requires them to write at least 250 words to an essay question. The task is to contribute twice as much as task 1 to the writing school. Candidates are also evaluated on their ability to write in a suitable stand. More information on determining the writing test, including test assessment criteria, is available on ilets.org
Focus on learning new vocabulary every day. A few common topics recurrently appear in the exam, such as environment, work, education etc. Emphasis on these topics and keep adding new vocabulary to your answers. You can also use IELTS Mobile App which has a vocabulary bank and has words specifically for each category – Art, Business, Education, etc.
Speaking: This test takes place in three parts and requires around 11 to 14 minutes to be conducted by a trained examiner. In part one, the candidate and examiner introduce themselves, and candidates answer general questions about themselves, their family, job studies, etc., which lasts for about 4 to 5 minutes. In part 2, the candidates are tasked with talking about a particular topic. They’re supposed to talk for 1 to 2 minutes. Examiners then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
IELTS Speaking Test
IELTS Speaking Test is scored based on four essential compasses:
Fluency and coherence refers to the capacity to speak with typical levels of continuity, tempo, and effort, as well as to combine ideas and words to make coherent, linked speech. Speech pace and speech continuity are crucial indications of fluency.
- Choose any topic from your list to talk on.
- Set a stopwatch for at least one minute.
- Play the recording and request comments from your friend.
- Record the complete audio file and punctuate it.
- Replay the audio to determine where you missed pausing.
- Examine the word and sentence emphasis.
- Repeat this task to get mastery.
Pronunciation in speaking is a crucial component of the IELTS exam. Through what you call poetry, you will study characteristics of pronunciation such as emphasis, rhythm, pitch, and intonation. In general, the goal of this course of study is to teach you how to discern parts of pronunciation in any spoken text or passage so that you may comprehend it correctly.
Lexical resource measures the precision and vast variation in the vocabulary. For example, you get a topic on food, so your possible words and phrases include dinner, feast, lavish meal, mild, tasteless, appetizing, scrumptious etc.
Grammatical range and accuracy maintains framing a sentence using different grammatical structures. Please ensure that you use accurate grammar when speaking. At the same time, maintain your fluency while expressing ideas clearly.
How to get a good score in IELTS
- Taking practice tests: Strengthen your preparation by taking a practice test to begin with and identify your weaknesses. This is a critical part in which your initial preparation helps you establish your strengths and weaknesses. You can further improve on your weaknesses and also create a solid foundation for the examination. IELTS practise test will improve if you use newly learned terms. Books, newspapers, movies, and instructive videos may teach new words. It helps in four ways:
- Help form meaningful phrases.
- It helps you express yourself naturally.
- It expands your vocabulary.
- Regular reading reduces grammatical errors.
You’ll also improve your reading and language abilities. For an excellent writing band score, enhance your reading.
- Learning how the IELTS test is scored: IELTS scores are provided using a nine-band system. IELTS delivers a score in the form of a profile for each of the four competencies Listening, speaking, reading, and writing, in addition to the overall score for language proficiency. Additionally, the results were provided on a nine-band scale. In addition to the applicants’ country, native language, and date of birth, all test scores are recorded on the test report form. Each overall band score correlates to a descriptive statement that summarises the candidate’s English language proficiency at that level.
- Being aware of the exam time constraints: The better your grasp of the text structure, the more likely you are to complete it effectively within the time span allotted. You should practise the time conditions so that you get acclimated to the pace of the test. Keep in mind that the IELTS exam has a time restriction, and you will only have the time allotted for each module.
- Improving your English skills and IELTS strategies: Preparing for English language examinations can greatly enhance your abilities, and even if you do not want to study abroad, it will be useful when applying for foreign employment in your own country. You may view English-language movies, create your own vocabulary book by adding relevant terms, immerse yourself in English-language news, read a variety of fictional and non-fictional literature, and engage in forums where you can communicate and hold discussions in English.
- Developing a wide range of reading skills: Reading is always a comprehension and an interpretation of that is read. The most significant IELTS reading tip is as follows: As reading is always paraphrase, and the text can inform you whether your response is correct hundred percent of the time.
Firstly, learn to scan and skim the text. These reading strategies make use of quick eye movement and keywords to enable speedy text traversal. Skimming is the act of reading quickly to obtain a basic summary of the subject. Reading quickly in order to discover specific information is called scanning.
- Developing your logical skills: IELTS practice exams might help you enhance your score. Writing puts your logic and critical thinking skills to the test.
Tips to improve your critical thinking skills for IELTS
- Devote enough time to understand the task before you start writing.
- Make your strategies and plans before you start writing.
- Prepare an outline or note down the main pointers for a better presentation.
- Get feedback from an IELTS expert.
A few other things to remember
- In case of wrong answers, you don’t lose marks. So don’t leave any spaces empty.
- Notes can be written on your question paper, but only your answer sheet will be graded.
- You’ll be writing with a pencil, so bring an eraser.
- You can write “F” or “T” instead of True or False on the True/False questions.
- Questions aren’t always linear, which means that answering them doesn’t always have a single beginning and end.
Learn the right way and develop in many ways!
The IELTS exam is more than just a visa requirement. It is a test that can help your growth in a variety of ways. I’ll say something that will help you assess your present level of language proficiency, whether you wish to study abroad, have already done so, or are relocating for other reasons.
IELTS experts have regularly disclosed these strategies, which have resulted in outstanding IELTS exam outcomes. To attain the desired score, follow the recommendations and continue your IELTS study.
And you must work hard to ensure that you can read, write, speak, listen, and comprehend the language easily. Concentrate on the course material and seek support from LaunchMyCareer career consultants as needed. Make your best effort, and you will pass the exam with flying colours!
