How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam with 7 Free tips
Congratulations! You just got awarded the treasured chance to study, relocate, or work abroad. However, you realize that your proficiency in English could be the only thing between you and your revitalizing almost reality. So, what should you do?
Before we give you tips on how to prepare and ace the IELTS exam, it is crucial to understand what this exam is.
What is the IELTS Exam?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test or examination that everyone looking to study, work, or migrate to a native English-speaking country has to pass beforehand. These countries are Australia, the United States of America (USA), Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and New Zealand.
The IELTS exam is conjointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the Cambridge Assessment English. It covers four sections, each highlighting the four English skills: listening, writing, speaking, and reading.
The applicant could do a paper-based or computer-based IELTS examination in an authorized British Council IELTS test center, with its duration being 2 hours 45 minutes. The IELTS scoring band ranges between Band 0 and Band 9, with the latter being the highest score. Most applicants should aim to score between Bands 7 and 9 to pass the IELTS exam and earn eligibility in these native English-speaking countries. Now you know what the IELTS exam is and why passing it is crucial.
Simple tips on how to prepare for the IELTS exam:
Assess your Current English Language State
Before you put yourself in a situation overwhelmed by everything you need to master, start by evaluating your current state. It involves conducting a self-evaluation focusing on your current understanding of English proficiency.
Start by identifying and categorizing the four areas of the IELTS test. These include English speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Then, find free online platforms and tools like Language Level, FluentU, TrackTest, and BridgeEnglish where you can take English proficiency tests.
Taking an online practice self-test will enable you to realize your strengths and weaknesses. Besides, it will also help build your confidence in tackling IELTS-style examinations.
Familiarize yourself with the IELTS Questions
Now that you have identified your strengths or shortfalls in the areas that the IELTS exam tests, it is time to know what really goes on in the main examination. Begin by tackling the objective-style IELTS questions under the ‘Academic Reading’ and the ‘General Training Reading’ segments.
Then, try solving the questions under the ‘Academic Writing’ or the ‘General Training Writing’ segments. Doing these will help you understand and familiarize yourself with the IELTS questioning pattern.
Work on your IELTS Shortfalls
After familiarizing yourself with the IELTS test, the next ideal step is to begin addressing the areas in the IELTS exam where you are poor.
For instance, if you notice a problem with English reading, find an English storybook and read it aloud while recording yourself. Afterward, send your recording to your native English friend and ask them to review it and give you valuable feedback.
If you have difficulty writing in English, keep a daily journal that you ask your native English friend or coach to review. The more you consistently work towards improving these gaps, the better you become at them.
We recommend watching English movies or listening to English songs with subtitles. You could try speaking alongside them to see how to construct English sentences with ease, how to pronounce certain words, and where to input specific intonations.
Take and Record Timed IELTS Mock Speaking Tests
The only thing that measures close to the actual IELTS exam is imagining that you are doing that exam. Find previous IELTS mock speaking tests and record yourself attempting the same. You could seek help from a reliable partner. However, if you are still uncomfortable, practice on your own until you are ready to take the speaking test before people.
One key thing to note while taking these mock tests is that time is of the essence. If you are preparing for the IELTS exam at home, find someone to keep you accountable. Besides, you could save a timer to keep you in check.
Also, it helps to note down your speaking by transcribing the same. Such will make it easier to identify errors you can fix in your future at-home attempts.
Attend Online IELTS Exam Training
If you feel like preparing for the IELTS exam at home is hectic and unsuccessful, you could always seek help digitally. Amazingly, online platforms specialize in coaching, guiding, and equipping applicants like you with the correct information and prowess to prepare for the IELTS exam.
Such platforms include edX, Magoosh IELTS, Udemy IELTS, BestMyTest IELTS, and Kaplan IELTS. YouTube is also an underrated online platform packed with valuable tips for IELTS exam preparation.
Learn How to Multitask
Part of preparing for the IELTS exam is learning to multitask when listening to an English clip play. You will have 40 questions to answer during the four recordings that will each play just once.
This means that if it is easy for you to get distracted, you are unlikely to follow through. Such makes it difficult for you to answer the questions correctly. We, therefore, encourage you to practice how to write while listening to English. You could also try to understand something without necessarily having to write it down.
Practice
Truth be told: The IELTS exam is thorough and requires nothing short of top-notch English language skills. According to experts, it could take about 12 weeks on average for one to go up an IELTS score band. It is so thorough that without consistent and exhaustive preparation, even the best English candidates risk failing.
With this, we encourage you to start early and ease into it. If you have time, three to six months is adequate time to get you’re A-game on. If time is a factor, focus on strengthening the areas you are good at and seeking help in those you could be better at.
Also read: Free 8 Tips on How to Improve your English Writing Skills
Conclusion
Preparing for the IELTS exam might sound hectic, but it is undoubtedly achievable. With these seven tips and dedication, you are set to prepare and pass your IELTS exam. We wish you all the best as you work towards excelling in your forthcoming IELTS exam.