HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR IELTS TEST?

An organised and thorough strategy is necessary for IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam preparation. You may use the tips and advice in this paragraph to properly get ready for the IELTS test and increase your chances of getting a good score.

RECOGNISE THE TEST FORMAT AND SCORING STANDARDS:

Prior to anything else, familiarise yourself with the IELTS test’s format and scoring guidelines. The test is divided into four sections: speaking, reading, listening and writing. Recognise the responsibilities and specifications for each area as well as the particular abilities being tested. You may arrange your preparation in accordance with this understanding.

ASSESS YOUR CURRENT ENGLISH ABILITY:

It’s important to gauge your level of English ability before beginning a rigorous study regimen. Take a practise exam to determine your abilities in each department. You may use this self-evaluation to determine what needs more focus so that you can organise your study schedule more effectively.

CREATE A STUDY PLAN:

Outline your daily, weekly, and monthly objectives in a study plan. Based on your level of competence and the amount of time you have before your exam date, give each component the time it needs to be completed. When establishing your objectives, be sensible and ensure adequate time for frequent practise and review.

IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITIES:

Concentrate on raising your general English proficiency to do well on the IELTS exam. Improve your vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, speaking fluency, writing style, and other skills. To fully immerse oneself in the language, take part in activities like reading English newspapers, periodicals, and novels, watching English films or TV shows, and listening to English podcasts or radio programmes.

DEVELOP YOUR LISTENING SKILLS:

Listen to a variety of English audio recordings, such as lectures, discussions, interviews, and news broadcasts, to improve your listening abilities. Pay attention to various accents and get practise recognising the key points, minute nuances, and hidden meanings. To become accustomed to the structure and sorts of questions in the IELTS listening part, use practise resources created especially for it.

IMPROVE READING SKILLS:

Read a variety of publications, including articles, essays, and academic papers, to prepare for the reading part. Concentrate on accelerating your reading while keeping understanding intact. To find useful information and keywords fast, practise skimming and scanning strategies. To comprehend the patterns of the questions and create efficient time management techniques, complete practise tests and examine the answers.

IMPROVE WRITING SKILLS:

The exam’s writing portion calls for coherence and precise language use. Learn about various writing assignments, such as essays, reports, and letters. Develop your ability to think clearly, reason persuasively, and communicate your views. Pay close attention to the sentence structure, vocabulary, and grammar. Ask professors, tutors, or English speakers for criticism to enhance your writing abilities.

POLISH SPEAKING:

It’s important to work on your fluency and coherence when speaking. Regularly practise speaking English with loved ones, close friends, or language exchange partners. To prepare for the examination and practise answering a range of questions with confidence, take part in mock speaking exams. Practise your pronunciation, intonation, and ability to communicate your views. Think about taking speaking lessons or getting help from an expert IELTS coach.

PRACTISE TIME MANAGEMENT:

The IELTS test requires excellent time management. Practise completing tasks within each section’s allotted time limit. Develop time management skill so you can do all jobs within the allotted time. Create shortcuts for skimming and scanning literature, arrange your writing assignments with efficiency, and frame your verbal comments to fit the time allotted.

TAKE MOCK TESTS AND REQUEST FEEDBACK:

Take mock tests frequently to gauge your progress and become accustomed to the test environment. Examine your performance, pinpoint your weak points, and adjust your study strategy. Ask for input from knowledgeable instructors or professors who can offer perspective.

USE COUNSELLING

The IELTS preparation process involves several factors. You will save a tonne of time and effort by enrolling in online courses with an IELTS expert coach, if you are able to. You won’t be labouring through textbooks alone, attempting to piece together trustworthy advice from numerous websites and Reddit discussions if you can find a buddy. You’ll receive individualised guidance from a qualified expert who has helped dozens of students succeed on the IELTS test!
Your instructor will grade your practise examinations and assist you in selecting the portions that need the most work. Remember to value how motivating this may be because they’ll also want you to succeed and will cheer you on.

MAXIMISE THE USE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

A sizable market exists in IELTS preparation for students. It might be challenging at first to choose which courses, textbooks, apps, and other resources are worth your time and which are reliable because there are so many accessible. As a general guideline, buy tools you don’t need.
Your first port of call should always be the official IELTS study aids on social media profiles, exam boards’ websites, and textbooks. After all, the exam itself is only fully understood by the exam board.

IMPROVE VOCABULARY

Every language student knows that the main challenge to advancing from intermediate to advanced level is frequently building a large, robust vocabulary. Your ability to complete the reading and listening parts will be significantly influenced by your vocabulary, which accounts for 25% of the marks in the speaking and writing sections. Check out our post on how to learn more English words for tips on increasing your general vocabulary.
Some students attempt to predict the kind of vocabulary that will be tested on the IELTS and concentrate their study on it. The exam board indirectly discourages using this dangerous tactic. After all, the whole purpose of an exam is that you never know what questions will be asked! However, certain subjects are discussed more frequently than others. There are around 10 main subjects that come up more frequently than others, according to IELTS Advantage.

CONCLUSION

An organised and disciplined strategy is needed when studying for the IELTS exam. Increase your chances of getting a good score by comprehending the exam methodology, honing your English language abilities, exercising time management, and getting feedback. On your road of preparation, always maintain focus, confidence, and dedication. Good luck!