What You Need to Know Before IELTS Test Preparation?

IELTS is one of the most popular English Language Proficiency tests. While many choose the IELTS Exam for academic purposes, others take it for residency and professional requirements. There are some crucial factors that you should learn before you prepare for the test to achieve the best results. In this article, we will shed light on some critical points that you should consider to build your confidence and Improve your IELTS Band Score.

Questions to Ask to Yourself

Before you begin your test preparation, ask yourself some essential questions:

1. Which IELTS test should you choose, IELTS Academic or General?
2. When do you need your test result?
3. What is expected from you in the test?
4. How will you start preparing for the test?

IELTS score requirements are determined by the universities and immigration authorities and are usually listed on the university’s website.

Tips That Will Make a Huge Difference

Know Your Language Abilities

• You should know your current level of English and be realistic about the time you will need to Improve Your Language Skills. Lack of preparation time may result in poor test results.

Get an Idea about Which Test Will Help You Score Higher

• There are two forms of IELTS Exam: Computer-based or Paper-based. You can select any form of exam depending upon your convenience.
• The content and value of the score are identical in both. If you opt for the computer-based exam, learn about keyboard shortcuts and system functionalities.

Ensure You’ve Done Enough Practice

• Some online IELTS Practice Tests are available for both types of tests. They are available on IELTS.org.

Familiarise Yourself with the Test Format, Question Types, and Time Required To Finish Each Task

• Enough knowledge about the test format will improve your performance and minimise the time needed to understand the exam flow during the test.
• The IELTS test assesses four different language skills of students: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Let us understand the type of questions asked in each of these sections in detail.

IELTS Listening

• In the Listening test, time is given to preview the question before the actual audio starts. It will help if you utilise this time intelligently to search for the answers. This will hint at the missing word or information that fits the best in the blank.
• It is also a good idea to underline keywords in the text. By doing so, you will be able to find answers efficiently without waiting time.
• Always listen to the audio carefully, as the speaker often corrects themselves at the end of their speech. This will prevent you from making mistakes in the test.
• Use resources like radio, podcasts, and Ted Talks to improve your listening abilities.
• Also, familiarise yourself with different accents such as American, British, Canadian, and Australian. The listening test usually takes around 30 minutes.

IELTS Reading

• In the Reading Test, you have to answer 40 questions in one hour.
• The complexity of the question increases with each section. Hence, try not to waste too much time on the first few questions, as they are comparatively easy.
• Develop skimming and scanning skills to move faster through the paragraphs.
• Allocate time required to complete each section, e.g., 10 min for section 1,20min for section 2, and 30 min for section-3.
• Build up vocabulary and learn synonyms.

IELTS Writing

• For the writing test, it is essential to know the type of the tasks. You can be asked to write any type of essay,i.e., formal, informal, semi-formal. Similarly, there are different types of essays.
• Learn to use different structures for each type of essay.A standard format includes a clear introduction, body paragraphs with an example, and a short conclusion.
• Use various sentence types in your essay to get a higher band score. Make sure you know how to use them correctly in your writing.
• Do not forget to focus on what is asked. This means that your answer should be relevant to the topic.

IELTS Speaking

• The IELTS speaking test is divided into three parts: introduction, 2-minute monologue, and follow-up questions.
• Practice speaking in English with your family and friends. Ask for suggestions and feedback from them.
• Record yourself and listen back to identify the areas where you need improvement.
• Speak confidently and clearly. Do not try to imitate the accents of native speakers; as it will distract you from your speech.

Endnote

IELTS is widely taken from students all over the world for immigration purposes. Many students stress about how to start learning for a good band score. By having prior knowledge about the test you will be able to Plan Your Academic Schedule. Besides this, you will also get enough time to prepare yourself for the best learning experience. Apart from the advice from IELTS Coaching Experts, the tips mentioned above will also boost your self-esteem while Preparing for Your IELTS Exam.