How to Prepare for IELTS?
In today’s globalised world, it has become comparatively feasible for students and professionals to explore global education and employment opportunities. However, this decision often overwhelms people as they end up wondering where to start their study abroad journey. To begin with, students need to understand that in order to study in an English-speaking country, they need to prove their English language proficiency skills. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognised exam that can help you assess your language proficiency, as well as unlock multiple doorways for better academic and career opportunities.
Refer to this article for a complete guide to your IELTS journey. From understanding the exam pattern and scoring criteria to preparation resources and strategies for effective preparation, this article covers everything.
Understanding the IELTS Exam
What is IELTS?
- IELTS Academic– Available at both test centres or remotely online, the IELTS Academic is suitable for candidates looking for academic opportunities in a foreign country, as it is trusted by thousands of institutions and professional bodies worldwide. This test evaluates a candidate’s basic skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, which are highly valued in a typical classroom setting at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It also simulates vocabulary that is commonly found in an academic environment, enabling students to witness a real-world situation.
- IELTS General Training- This exam is valid for candidates who wish to either pursue vocational training programmes or education below the degree level. It is also applicable to applicants who wish to migrate to English-speaking countries for work experience and non-academic purposes, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. Similar to the IELTS Academic, this test also evaluates your basic listening, speaking, writing and reading skills, which are commonly used on a day-to-day basis.
Exam Format and Sections
- Listening Section- This section is scheduled to be completed in 30 minutes and usually tests a candidate’s ability to grasp ideas.
- Format- This paper is divided into four parts with 10 questions each. Parts 1 and 2 are focused on everyday social situations, whereas Parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations. The audios in this section are played once, and different accents such as American, British, Australian, and New Zealand are used.
This section includes a variety of question types, including Multiple Choice Questions, Matching, Short Answer Type, Sentence Completion, Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling, and Form/Note/Table/Flow Chart/Summary Completion.
- Reading Section- Scheduled for 60 minutes (including transfer time), this section evaluates a candidate’s critical thinking and comprehension.
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- Format– This section has three parts, with 40 questions in total. The texts in this section come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and online resources, which are of general interest to students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The questions in this section include Multiple Choice, Identifying Information, Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims, Matching Headings, Matching Features, Matching Sentence Endings, Sentence Completion, Diagram Label Completion, Short Answer Questions, etc.
- Writing Section- This paper evaluates a candidate’s ability to express their thoughts and write coherently, and allows 60 minutes to complete the tasks.
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- Format– This section consists of two tasks. In task 1, you need to describe some visual information, such as a graph, table, chart or diagram, in about 150 words in 20 minutes. Whereas in task 2, you need to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem in about 250 words in 40 minutes.
- Speaking Section- This section takes 11-14 minutes to complete and evaluates a candidate’s vocabulary and fluency.
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- Format– In this section, you will have a face-to-face interview with the examiner. This interview is divided into three parts, and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks to test your ability to speak in different ways. Part 1 is an Introduction and Interview round, followed by a Long Turn and finally a Discussion round.
Also, note that the Speaking and Listening sections remain the same in the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic tests, whereas the Reading and Writing sections differ in both.
Scoring Criteria
The IELTS exam score report constitutes a candidate’s overall score as well as individual scores in each of the four components on a scale of 0-9. The overall band score is calculated by taking the average of the four section band scores and rounding it to the nearest half or whole band. The IELTS band score of 0 indicates that the test was not attempted, while scores from 1 to 9 reflect increasing levels of English language proficiency, with 9 representing an expert user.
The IELTS band scores are considered valid for two years after the test has been taken. However, different institutions have different sets of requirements and criteria, so it is suggested to stay updated on their websites for clear information.
Strategies for Effective IELTS Preparation
Setting Up a Study Schedule
- Set a Clear Goal– Achieving targets becomes easy when you know your goals. Therefore, think of a desired score and plan your IELTS journey smartly.
- Set a Timeframe– Determine how much time you have to prepare for the exam. Whether it’s one month or more, plan your journey in a way that you can keep an actual track of your performance. Set weekly targets and track your progress at each week’s end to know your strong and weak areas.
- Work on Weaknesses- Once you know your weak spots, dedicate extra time to make them your strengths.
- Positive Affirmations– Rewarding oneself on completing a milestone can actually motivate you to proceed further. Therefore, use positive affirmations and reminders to keep yourself going.
Utilising Official IELTS Preparation Resources
Since there is abundant study material available both online and offline, it becomes highly imperative for candidates to choose the right study material for their IELTS preparation journey. At this stage, utilising the official IELTS preparation resources is a wise choice as it is curated by experienced language experts through years of research. You can refer to the IELTS preparation material available on official websites, including IELTS.org, British Council and IDP. These websites offer teacher-led courses, applications for Android and iPhone and books written by language experts, along with guidance through videos, webinars and articles.
Utilising these resources effectively can significantly boost your confidence as well as overall performance. However, analyse and understand the available material to familiarise yourself with the content before actually jumping to the practice tests. Analyse sample papers and understand the types of questions in each section that are asked in the IELTS exam and plan your preparation journey accordingly.
Practice with Sample Tests
Conclusion
Whether your goal is to study abroad, gain international employment opportunities or migrate for better opportunities, the IELTS exam will not only help you move closer to your dreams but will also help you gain confidence in English communication skills.
Preparing for the IELTS exam may seem challenging and overwhelming at first; however, with the right resources, strategies and mindset, you can achieve your desired score. Plan your journey mindfully, understand the exam structure, use official material to prepare and stay consistent while practising and monitor your performance. Following these tips, you can easily achieve your target.
FAQs
The time required to prepare for the IELTS exam varies from person to person and depends on various factors, including your current level of proficiency in English and your target band score. On average, candidates usually take 6 to 8 weeks of focused study to prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.
Yes, online courses can be effective for IELTS preparation, provided you choose the right ones. Online courses can offer you with structured format, practice material and mock trials, which can benefit you in familiarising yourself with the exam pattern. Moreover, the effectiveness of the online courses can also depend on your learning pace, discipline and the quality of the content.
It is not necessary to take the IELTS exam more than once since many candidates achieve their desired band score in the first attempt only. However, if your targeted score does not match your actual score or it does not suit the requirement of the university/organisation you are applying to, you can appear for the IELTS exam again.
Mastering your writing skills requires consistent practice, strategic preparation and constructive feedback. Follow the tips below to improve your writing skills.
- Understand the format of the writing section, analyse the types of questions that are being asked and know if your exam type is IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training.
- Expanding your vocabulary and using a variety of grammatical structures can enhance your writing; however, clarity of thought and accuracy are of utmost importance here.
- You can also read high-scoring sample papers, which will help you understand how to structure and frame your answers.
- Practice under timed conditions will help you improve your time management skills and simulate the actual exam environment.
- Last but not least, ask for feedback on your writing pieces from your teachers and mentors to identify your areas of improvement and work hard to make them your strengths.
