Prepare for IELTS: Before applying for a study permit or a work permit, most workplaces or colleges in English-speaking nations require proof of a proficiency test. Preparation for the IELTS test is required for individuals who wish to study or work in nations where English is the primary language.
Preparing for the IELTS entails first comprehending the test’s format and scoring system, and then devising a strategy to achieve your desired score. Before you register for the test, you will need to work on improving your English, practice taking the test and join a preparation course to see how you are progressing.
Therefore, what are we awaiting? Let’s get started on getting ready for the IELTS exam and passing it all at once.
IELTS: What is it?
If you want to study or work in a country where English is the primary communicative language, you must pass the International English Language Testing System or IELTS. This exam is required for international candidates from countries where English is not the native language. The following areas of English language proficiency are tested on this exam:
- Listening
- Reading
- Speaking
- Writing
Why is the IELTS exam so hard?
Because it measures candidates’ international English proficiency, the IELTS is unquestionably one of the most difficult exams. We’ve listed a few major reasons why IELTS is so hard for candidates here.
- Candidates struggle to maintain their concentration for an uninterrupted 30 minutes during the 30-minute listening test.
- Many candidates complain that they can’t think of something to say or write on the speaking or writing tests.
- Some people complain that they don’t have enough time to finish the writing test.
- In the reading section, there are a lot of difficult words that are hard to understand.
- Among test takers, anxiety is a major issue that is extremely challenging to address.
- The speakers in the listening test speak too quickly, and the test takers only hear them once.
The IELTS exam is difficult for a variety of reasons, including the ones listed above and others that vary from candidate to candidate. Even this difficult exam can be tamed with solid preparation, consistent practice, and a positive attitude, but candidates should be determined.
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IELTS Examination Types
There are two distinct types of IELTS exams:
- IELTS ACADEMIC TEST
Candidates applying for international higher education or professional registration take the academic IELTS test.
- IELTS GENERAL TEST
Candidates who wish to pursue higher education in English-speaking nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia must take the IELTS general test. The test is required for anyone who wants to enroll in secondary education programs, or training programs, or gain work experience in any country where English is the primary language of communication.
IELTS Test Structure
The IELTS exam has four sections, as shown below.
Listening: The first section of the IELTS exam, which is the same for both academic and general tests, tests candidates’ listening skills. Two monologues and two conversations make up the listening portion. Candidates are required to carefully list and respond to the subsequent questions. Keep in mind that each candidate can only hear once.
Reading: The purpose of this section is to assess candidates’ comprehension and reading abilities. The reading section of the IELTS Academic Test consists of three passages that candidates must read, comprehend, and answer to pass. In contrast, the IELTS General Test consists of three sections: section 1 contains two, three, or many shorter texts; section 2 contains two texts; and section 3 contains one lengthy text. Candidates must read, comprehend, and respond to all subsequent questions.
Writing: The purpose of the writing section is to assess candidates’ writing skills. There are two writing tasks on the IELTS Academic Test. The candidates must explain or summarize the entire information in their own words in a table, chart, graph, or diagram for the first task. Candidates are required to write an essay on a specific topic, point of view, argument, or issue for the second task. Candidates receive two additional writing tasks for the IELTS General Test. The candidates are put in a situation where they must write a letter to request information or describe the situation in the first task. This has the same second task as the IELTS Academic Test.
Speaking: The speaking section, which is the same for both the academic and general tests, evaluates candidates’ speaking abilities. The first task in this section is a four-to-five-minute face-to-face interview on a variety of general topics. The candidates are given a card with a topic on which they must speak for the second task. One minute is allotted for topic preparation, and two minutes are allotted for speaking. The examiner then asks the candidates a few questions about the same subject, to which they must respond. The candidates must respond to additional questions from the second task in the final task.
| Sections | Total Questions (IELTS Academic Test) | Time Duration | Total Questions (IELTS General Test | Time Duration |
| Listening | 40 | 30 Minutes | 40 | 30 Minutes |
| Reading | 40 | 60 Minutes | 40 | 60 Minutes |
| Writing | 2 | 60 Minutes | 2 | 60 Minutes |
| Speaking Variable | – | 11 to 14 Minutes | Variable | 11 to 14 Minutes |
IELTS Study Strategies
It would not be possible to pass the IELTS exam with only hard work. Smart work is also very important at the same time. This is precisely the circumstance in which some IELTS exam tips and tricks assist test takers. Therefore, to achieve a high score in each section, let’s examine a few different strategies.
The best ways to prepare for the IELTS Exam are as follows:
- Take practice tests to learn the format and time constraints of the exam.
- Improve your English skills and IELTS strategies.
- Multitask while listening to English.
- Develop a wide range of reading skills.
- Use appropriate and assertive English terms in writing.
- Speak fluently or coherently in direct communication.
- Immerse yourself in English.
Tips for Preparing for the IELTS Test
Reading Tips for IELTS
Due to difficult synonyms, candidates may find the Reading section of the IELTS to be quite challenging. The Reading section is hard and takes a lot of time because the examinee must read three passages and find 40 correct answers.
IELTS Reading Strategy #1
Every day, read and write down your strong vocabulary. Reading doesn’t just mean babbling; you should also try to understand the main idea. When you read with curiosity, it happens. You’ll get into the habit of reading to get to the heart of the story. Your timing will get better if you practice it often. You can learn more about a strong vocabulary by writing it down. It might spare you from the exam room.
IELTS Reading Strategy #2
Because synonyms play a significant role in determining the answers, practice them on a daily basis. A reading module must be familiar with synonyms at all times. The only way to become proficient with synonyms is to practice them on a daily basis.
IELTS Reading Strategy #3
Read the instructions carefully. The majority of the time, even when the answers are correct, candidates lose the band because they did not follow the instructions. Therefore, candidates must carefully read the instructions before writing an answer on their answer sheet in order to avoid this scenario.
IELTS Reading Strategy #4
Reread the Question Because reading can be difficult to manage in a hurry, candidates may not attempt to comprehend the question. Additionally, they lose a point. In order to find the correct response to a question if you don’t understand it, it’s important to remain calm in the exam room.
Writing Tips for IELTS
The majority of people have trouble getting a good band in the writing section because they don’t know the rules. Candidates should plan their time accordingly and be aware of the weighting of the two tasks in the mark.
- Writing should serve the purpose Because Task 1 requires factual writing, and personal opinions need not be included. It should be written in the manner that the question requires. In addition, in free writing for Task 2, you are only allowed to talk about topics that are relevant to the assignment. Getting a good band can be helped by writing to the purpose.
- Keep an eye on the clock. It’s not uncommon for you to devote more than 20 minutes to Task 1. Since you only have forty minutes to complete task 2, try to undo it. Task 2 receives more points than task 1. In addition, you have 40 minutes to gather ideas and write them down in more than 250 words. Try to control your timing because it may be difficult.
- Organize Your Writing Into Body Paragraphs Your writing must be organized into a body paragraph, which includes an introduction, the main idea, and a conclusion.
Tips for IELTS Listening
Due to the fact that the tape will only be played once, listening can also be challenging. Examinees should pay no attention to anything else but the recording.
IELTS Listening Tips #1:
Read the Questions Carefully Before playing the recording, you will be given some time to read all of the questions carefully. During this time, you can become familiar with the different types of questions. Because the recording will only be played once, you won’t have time to respond to the type of question in the first place if you didn’t pay attention to it at first.
IELTS Listening Tips #2:
Don’t Get Stuck It’s common to get distracted while talking, but you need to get back on track as soon as possible. Because failing to do so means missing out on the questions that follow. That would be terrifying. Therefore, if you don’t answer a question, simply move on to the next one.
IELTS Listening Tips #3:
Beware of Plurals and Singulars Answers in the singular and plural form can also be challenging. When we listen to other people, it’s not surprising that we sometimes make mistakes. To accomplish this, you must remain alert while listening to their sentences. It will be simple for you to distinguish between singulars and plurals in your response.
IELTS Listening Tips #4:
When transferring your answers to the answer sheet, be careful not to misspell words or numbers. Also, if you have time, check your responses once more.
Tips for IELTS Speaking
Speaking on the IELTS is formal. As a result, it’s possible that we don’t speak English very well. But it won’t be too difficult if you get enough practice and follow some helpful advice.
Tips for IELTS Speaking #1
Increase the frequency with which you practice speaking English to achieve fluency in the language. You might spend most of your time with friends, so try to speak English with them. Even if a non-native speaker can easily write and read English, it can be difficult for them to speak. Not only will practicing it with your instructor help you become more fluent, but it will also help you overcome your weaknesses.
Tips for IELTS Speaking #2
Practice speaking about specific subjects Speaking about specific subjects will help you prepare for the second part of the IELTS Speaking test. Because you are given a two-minute topic to discuss. Try not to pause too much in the middle. Try not to stop speaking until your examiner instructs you to do so on the IELTS Speaking test.
Tips for IELTS Speaking #3
Take into Account Pace-Control When you speak, ensure that your examiner comprehends what you are saying. They might not be able to understand you if you speak too quickly. Or, your speaking ability will not be well-represented if you speak too slowly. Maintain a steady speech pace.
IELTS Tips for Speaking #4
Try to Say More Don’t stop talking, even if you don’t know the answer to the question exactly. You are free to continue discussing related topics. Because this is your speaking test, the examiner will not prevent you from doing so. Additionally, your speaking ability is being tested. When your time is up, you will be informed by the examiner.
