The IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is currently the most popular English language exam conducted to test the English fluency of candidates. Over 10,000 organisations worldwide require people to learn English as a second language to demonstrate their abilities against the IELTS’ demanding criteria, from universities to immigration agencies, government agencies to multinational corporations.
How to start preparing for IELTS or how to prepare for IELTS is the common question asked by every test taker. Though it is a challenging test, it has to be taken by everyone who intended to begin their career or studies in English-speaking countries.
In addition to being able to communicate effectively in English, you must also master a range of strategic test-taking technics.
But obtaining the IELTS score you need doesn’t have to be a miserable time! Here are ten actionable steps to success, along with plenty of resources.
In this blog, we shall discuss how to prepare for IELTS, IELTS preparation tips and how to study for IELTS.
If you want to understand how to prepare for IELTS, you can join IELTS Coaching in Chennai, which will help you have a profound understanding of basic to advanced concepts of IELTS.
Know what you’re getting yourself into
Taking the IELTS is like looking for a job: just because a lot of people you know have done it doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult and time-consuming. Before you register for the test, you should do some research. In blog explains the differences between the IELTS and TOEFL exams in detail. You could also take a look at the official test format overview.
Do I want to take the computer-based or paper-based IELTS?
There isn’t much of a difference between the two types. Both are conducted in a test centre. A few prefer the paper version because they don’t have to deal with an unfamiliar standard keyboard, while others believe that answering questions on a computer is faster. So, it merely depends on son the aspirants.
Is it necessary for me to take the IELTS Academic or the IELTS General Training?
IELTS Academic is for people who intended to begin their studies in English-speaking countries and IELTS General Training is for people who need everyday English skills for work or migration.
They follow a similar format, but the IELTS Academic focuses on scholarly texts, whereas the IELTS General Training focuses on languages used in everyday life, such as newspaper articles and emails. If you intend to immigrate to the United Kingdom, you must take a third type of IELTS exam known as the UKVI IELTS.
How long should I study to get a good IELTS score?
Determine your IELTS score requirement. Most organisations require between a 6 and a 7, which corresponds to a B2 and a C1 on the CEFR scale. If you understand your CEFR level, you can easily predict your IELTS score. This will assist you in estimating the time required to boost your IELTS score. “Most English school systems recommend having 6 months to improve a student’s English level by the equivalent of 0.5-1 band score,” according to IELTS Advantage. That is, if you are not yet speaking fluent in English, you could perhaps work on your general English language skills before beginning test preparation.
If you want to improve your speaking skills, you can join the Spoken English Class In Coimbatore, which will cover four main aspects of the English language: Listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Learn the grading criteria inside out
Understanding what constitutes a great answer is essential for acing any test. These are the parameters that will determine your success. You must thoroughly understand them to check every box and receive the required grade. This is especially true for speaking and writing tests, where your responses are evaluated using subjective criteria. You can also find sample answers online, but make sure they are from reputable sources. Official IELTS exam board textbooks and websites are excellent places to start.
Tips: One of the most unexpected aspects of this test is that you are expected to make numerous mistakes! People who require a band 4 take the same exam as those that need a band 8. Understanding the grading criteria requires understanding how many questions you get wrong. A band 6 on the academic reading test, for example, requires only 23 correct answers out of 40.
Go over a sample answer sheet and work out on these exercises or else enrol in the IELTS Coaching Center In Coimbatore to ensure that all of your IELTS preparation goes well.
Make the most of Official Resources
Various IELTS coaching centres provide the best coaching for students. IELTS Coaching in Pondicherry provides course materials, IELTS exam preparation guidelines, and IELTS preparation tips to assist students in their preparation. It can be difficult to determine which ones are worth your time and effort — and even which ones are reliable.
- IELTS Sample Papers
- IELTS Free Preparation Materials from the British Council
- Focus on IELTS Videos and Tips
- Follow IELTS Official Facebook page
- Read Textbooks
In your web browser, create a bookmarks folder with the most important official resources. Follow IELTS officials on social media for the most up-to-date information.
Check out some specialist blogs and YouTube channels
There are numerous YouTube channels, audio, blog posts, and social media pages which provide a basic understanding of how to prepare for IELTS.
Keep in mind that the IELTS is updated and revised almost every year. A blog post or YouTube video that is more than a few years old is most likely out of date. However, informal online communities will provide you with information that the exam board will not.
Find IELTS-related content in internet groups you visit regularly-Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube.
Join Spoken English Classes In Bangalore, which will help you have a better understanding of Grammar, the pattern of Sentences, Idioms and Phrases and the development of reading skills.
Find a Professional Tutor
There is a lot to consider when preparing for the IELTS. If possible, take online classes with an IELTS expert who will help you in saving you a significant amount of time and effort. So, approach IELTS professionals instead of struggling to read textbooks alone. Approaching Professional tutors will try to piece together reliable tips. You will receive tailored feedback from an expert who has coached dozens of students to IELTS success!
If you are interested in taking the IELTS test, you can join the IELTS coaching centre in Velachery. Your tutor will grade your practice exams and advise you on which sections to concentrate on.
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Take more Practice Tests
Every test is a unique set of skills to master, and the IELTS is no exception. Before you feel completely prepared, you should make taking tests a regular part of your study routine.
Some IELTS skills can only be improved with practice tests. According to professionals, the biggest challenge of the IELTS exam is time constraints. There’s a lot to cover in those 2½ hours, so you’ll have to learn how to work fast and tactically. For example, in the first writing task, you must allocate approximately 20 minutes to writing 150 words. So, only with the best prices, you will be able to write 150 words in 20 minutes.
A high score requires practice, so the test taker must focus on acquring skills. If you focus on acquiring a high band score in listening, you need the best practice of hearing to music, podcast, etc. “Multitasking is essential for the exam’s listening section. You must be able to listen and take notes while answering questions.” Taking IELTS listening tests will assist you in developing this skill
In the weeks preceding the exam, try to take at least one of each skill test. Attempting all sections regularly will help you fine-tune your pacing and strategy. If possible, ask a mentor to check your exam papers and discuss any weaknesses you may have.
Create a Study Schedule
No matter how far in advance you plan, your test day will still come too quickly! You need a new approach if you want to achieve your objectives.
Put a time block in your calendar for the amount of study time you have available. Studying for the TOEFL should take four to five hours per day, or at least five hours per week, depending on the tutor.
The four sections of the test carry the same amount of points, so you should allocate your time roughly equal to each one. A one-month study schedule offered by the British Council divides each week into a different test-taking skill.
Find times during your daily activities to fit in some study time. Plan to study with flashcards over breakfast and spend 30 minutes after work working on your writing or listening skills.
Act as if you have meetings set up with yourself to study.
Immerse yourself in English as much as possible
So far, we’ve covered a lot of tactics for handling the test itself. However, since it is an examination of your proficiency in the English language, you should prioritise quickly improving your English. You probably already have very good English if you’re aiming for a 6 or 7, and you’re just looking to expand your vocabulary and refine your syntax.
Spending as much of your daytime thinking in English as you can is a good idea. You may attempt:
- Always practice casual conversation with your friends or there are many online apps which will help you communicate online with English- speaking people.
- Watching English language movies and TV shows
- Start reading books in English
- Start focusing on vocabulary and make underline the words while reading books.
- Listening to podcasts in English
- Follow English language YouTubers
- Make notification of your phone settings
- Start watching the news in English
- Download English language apps
It’s not always necessary to study to speak English fluently; instead, you should immerse yourself in it until it becomes second nature.
Find innovative ways to incorporate English into your daily activities. Combine active learning strategies with passive ones.
Are you learners interested in learning various languages? you can join a Foreign language institution in Bangalore and learn various languages such as French, German, Japanese, Spanish, & other foreign test preparation courses.
Expand your Vocabulary
Every language learner is aware that the biggest challenge to advancing from intermediate to advanced level is often building a large, robust vocabulary. Enhancing your vocabulary can also assist you in progressing in all IELTS skills. Your ability to complete the reading and listening sections will be greatly influenced by your vocabulary, which accounts for 30% of the marks in the speaking and writing sections.
Some students attempt to predict the types of vocabulary that will probably be tested on the IELTS. The exam board implicitly discourages using this risky tactic. The whole purpose of a test, after all, is that you never know what questions will be asked!
However, some subjects do appear to be discussed more frequently than others. There are approximately 10 general topics that come up more frequently than others, according to IELTS Advantage. So, dont rely on your imagination instead take some steps to learn and acquire skills.
Tips: Get a notebook, if you don’t already have one, to write down new words you encounter while reading, listening to, or watching English-language media. Every new word helps, so try to memorize it while you’re studying. Transfer the best and most helpful words into a flashcard app so that you can quickly review them while you’re on the go.
Have a plan for Test Day
The truly frightening aspect of any test is that, regardless of how well you prepare beforehand, how you feel on test day will ultimately determine how well you perform.
To successfully complete an exam, you must be in the right frame of mind. You will still remember the following general tips from school for handling the logistics before an exam:
- How are you getting to the testing venue?
Attempt a trial and ensure that you can arrive early.
- Which things must you bring?
Bring your identification, which must match the identification you listed on your IELTS application. Do not forget that you are not permitted to bring a watch!
- Will you review your notes before the test?
Alternatively, take a few breaths.
- What will you consume before the exam?
A substantial breakfast and light foods Or perhaps something light to avoid feeling too heavy.
- How will you dress?
You must feel cosy and comfortable in your dress. Keep in mind that a picture of you will be taken before the test.
Both official sources and those who have taken the IELTS themselves have a wealth of excellent test-day advice to share. According to a blog post on the IELTS website of the British Council, you should warm up for your speaking test as though you were going to compete in a race.
Now that you have understood how to prepare for IELTS, how to start preparing for IELTS and IELTS preparation tips. So, if you are stammering about how to start preparing for IELTS? Then you can join an IELTS Coaching in Bangalore and learn how to improve your vocabulary, grammar, syntax formation, and pronunciation.