When it comes to writing the IELTS exam, it is very important to be well-prepared. The IELTS test evaluates four different skills of the English Language, which are Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. The first step in your preparation is to understand the rules of the exam along with the test format. Once you understand the format, it will be easy for you to channel your energy in the right way to study the different materials you need in your preparation.
Overview of IELTS Exam
As mentioned, the exam evaluates four skills of the English Language and each of the skills has questions and time allotted to it.
Speaking: This section of the test contains three different parts and a total of 11 to 14 minutes is allotted to it.
Listening: This section consists of four parts. Test takers will have a total of 30 minutes to complete all the questions in this part.
Reading: This section contains a total of 40 questions and divided into three parts. Time allotted to this section – 60 minutes.
Writing: This section contains three tasks. The time allotted to this section is 60 minutes.
You don’t have to be anxious about your exam. With the right preparation, you can rest assured of acing your test at your first attempt. Below, we have detailed some tips that will help you make the best of your study time.
Define your Priorities and Goals
In defining your priorities and goals, the first step is to find out your strengths and weaknesses. Look at the exam content and locate areas where you are not very good. Take time and focus on the weak areas so that you can fully understand these areas before your exam. Secondly, what scores are you aiming at? It is important to have a specific score you are aiming at as this will motivate you to study adequately. Have a goal in mind and work towards achieving the goals.
Improve Your Proficiency in English
In preparing for your exam, it is important to take time to learn all about the test and the English language in total. You can opt to take an English course to learn the rudiments of the language. If you can afford it, you can employ an English teacher, which will help you develop your skills in the areas of listening, speaking, writing, and reading. In addition to learning, the best way to improve is to practice on a daily basis. Listen, speak, read, and write in the English language every day. Make the best of opportunities that are available to you and engage with people in the language. Listen to the radio, watch films and television in English. There are different kinds of English accents, which include American, British, New Zealand, Australian, and Canadian English. You have to be familiar with the different accents, especially for the listening skills. Read publications written in English and write your emails, letters, notes in this language. By doing this, you will greatly improve your usage of the English Language and definitely improve your IELTS score.
Learn the Test Rules and Format
It is important to get the hang of the exam format before you write the test. It is also essential to know that there are two different versions of the IELTS test: IELTS General Training and IELTS Academy. For both exams, the speaking and listening sections are the same, but the writing and reading sections are quite different. Depending on the version you choose, it is crucial to know everything about the specific of test you are about to sit.
How to get familiar with your Test Format:
- Study the information detailed in the candidate’s booklet. This booklet offers important information about how to answer questions correctly. You can get the candidate information booklet from the official site of the testing center.
- Read and understand the different levels of the IELTS band score – this will help you to develop your scores goal for the exam.
- Don’t base your study on rumors– study only the reliable resources. Get your facts right and focus on your test preparation.
- Study the assessment criteria to understand the exact things the examiners want in the writing and speaking sections of the exam.
Take Practice Questions
There are many materials on IELTS that you can check out in preparation for your exam. Study the resource materials and take a practice test. There are many platforms online where you can access practice questions in preparation for your exam. You can also purchase some Official IELTS practice resource materials from the test center around you, or from the online store. You can also take a preparation course for IELTS to help you understand the intricacies of answering the questions. It is important that you take practice questions to help you evaluate your preparedness and knowledge level. Taking practice tests will also help you know your weak areas so you can work on it and become better.
Conclusion
You can pass your IELTS exam with the right preparation. You don’t have to feel anxious about the test. All you have to do is prepare and study the different components of the exam and relax. You have what it takes to pass the exam successfully. Dedicate enough time to study the resource materials and take enough practice tests. The fact is that you can’t take too much of practice test. You should take them as often as you can, so you can cover the entire content. There are many platforms online where you can access the practice questions online. If you don’t have a budget for the paid version, you can access the free IELTS practice tests online.