IELTS Preparation can be daunting, competitively challenging and feel intimidating to find the best way to set goals. But what if we break it down to certain simple must-dos, a step-by-step way of analysing this test and thereby giving you clarity on what to do going forward?
IELTS Preparation can be daunting, competitively challenging and feel intimidating to find the best way to set goals. But what if we break it down to certain simple must-dos, a step-by-step way of analysing this test and thereby giving you clarity on what to do going forward?
IELTS is primarily a test designed to test your English language. So, it is advised to start improving your English skills if you have enough time for preparation. This is a slow process, and it is observed that students must practice English in modern ways such as apps and websites which encourage learning in a fun way rather than the traditional methods such as worksheets. Did you know that it takes a minimum of 6 months for a student to improve a band score of 0.5-1?
KNOW YOUR LEVEL
- Before you start your preparation, it is necessary for you to know your current level. To conquer any examination, you need to work on your weaknesses.
- After analysing your test, plan your practice routine focusing more on our weak parts and developing familiarity with the topics you haven’t started yet.
- Then when you are ready, take another mock test.
SHAPE YOUR TEST SKILLS
Four parts of the IELTS test: Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening.
There are different types of questions and each of them requires a special kind of skill for each part of the test.
A lot of students make mistakes only by focusing on IELTS tests and completely forget to develop their language. We repeatedly mention how your English proficiency level is checked utmost in the exam.
PRACTICE TESTS
One needs to take several mock tests to acquaint themselves with the pattern, the tricky parts, the marking scheme and to manage time. These mock tests can be easily found online or ordered hard copies from popular e-commerce platforms, or they will be available in the local book stores of your area. But it is very important to do it from official and trustworthy sources since it can be very misleading given the plethora of sources we have nowadays.
Secondly, it is not favourable for you to do practice tests in your practice routine. You should considerably work on improving your IELTS English skills first and then take one or two tests in a week that would surely improve your band score.
CRUCIAL MULTITASK WHEN LISTENING
The listening section demands the most attention. You are expected to provide 40 answers throughout 4 recordings and the recordings will be played only once.
Typically, it is easy to get carried away during a conversation, but it is necessary to be aware and concentrate on the questions of the task. It is essential how to follow a conversation, even if you miss something and how you can recover to continue answering the next questions.
EXTENSIVE READING
The examiner may expect you to give short answers, match information, complete sentences, match headings or complete diagram labels. The solitary purpose of this reading section is to test your broad range of reading skills.
Time management however plays a key role in the reading section. It is advised to practice and take as many mock tests as one can when it comes to reading because we simply don’t have the time to go through the text again and again. There are a variety of strategies out there to help you with this such as skimming, scanning and other techniques.
ASSERTIVE WRITING
Keeping the exam pattern in mind, the essay must have a proper structure and it requires significant use in English. It is necessary to have a visual of your brainstorming ideas, the progression and alignment of your ideas to the structure of the essay, how to introduce them and lastly how to conclude it.
SPEAK WITH FLUENCY OR CLARITY
Developing familiarity with exam conditions is mandatory for your test preparation and getting used to the pressure will keep your exam nervousness away. You should be able to jot down the key points you have in mind that will guide you to speak.
Another essential thing is to practice answering questions that you may not have a clue about. Always remember that your knowledge is not assessed but your language proficiency is, the efforts he or she makes matters rather than the answer itself.
REALISTIC GOALS
When we use the word “realistic”, we mean it. No one knows you better than yourself, so set goals you can achieve. Aiming exactly the score you want to get, planning an everyday practice routine pushes you forward to that dream score, but it doesn’t promise wonders.
CONSISTENCY
Consistency truly is the DNA of mastery. Practice English every day, there is no alternative to it. As I’ve mentioned before, there are hundreds of sources out there that makes learning English fun and it is very necessary that you take this piece of advice with utmost sincerity.
Read things that interest you like online magazines, blogs, etc. Write something every day, it may be your journal, a diary or connecting with online friends or getting to know them.
Remember that learning is possible as long as you want to and someone who gives you feedback on your growth. If you are unable to commit or find a suitable partner, find an institution than can guide you and give you the right feedback.
Have you started your IELTS preparation yet? Let us know your approach to the test in the comments or write to us via mail, social media DMs. Still confused about how to start? We would be glad to help.
Happy IELTS preparation!
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