IELTS strategy

Menu Coaching IELTS PTE Duolingo Fast Track TOEFL Spoken English Counselling Study Abroad Exam Preparation Visa Work Visa International Job Countries Canada USA The UK Australia New Zealand European Union Scholarship More Study Tips Financial Assistant Resume Writing SOP Aryan Lathiya Author Updated on June 12, 2024 5 tips to ace the IELTS test If you plan to study, work, or move to an English-speaking country, you need to take a test proving you know the language well enough to live in the country comfortably. Among these tests, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely accepted English proficiency tests, accepted in more than 140 countries. Taking an IELTS test will open new career opportunities and increase your chances of getting hired in a foreign country, but getting a high band in IELTS is no cakewalk. Let’s understand how you can get flying colours in IELTS exam. Decoding the IELTS exam Understanding the IELTS test. The IELTS exam is divided into 4 sections: Listening, speaking, writing, and reading. The test takes around 3 hours to complete but the preparation time is much much higher. Listening: This section usually lasts around 30 minutes. You’ll listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then answer questions based on what you heard. Reading: The reading section usually takes about 60 minutes. You’ll read three different texts and answer questions about them. Writing: You’ll have 60 minutes for the writing section. This includes two tasks: Task 1, where you describe a graph, table, chart, or diagram; and Task 2, where you write an essay expressing your opinion or argument on a given topic. Speaking: The speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner and usually takes around 11-14 minutes. You’ll have a short warm-up conversation, then the examiner will ask you to talk about a particular topic, and finally, you’ll have a discussion related to the topic. The good news, however, is that you can do much more than just mugging up lengthy IELTS guide and review books. Here are some tips that will not only help you get a better score but will also make your preparation more efficient and fun. IELTS Study Plan and Structure Develop a study plan The first step is to make a study plan. Having structure and deadlines will help you prepare for each section thoroughly and focus on the tough parts. Start by analysing your current english fluency, are you good at writing? Reading? Or speaking? Which section do you think would require the most amount of revision? Look at the paper pattern, is there a section you think would be problematic for you? If yes, allot some dedicated time to that section in your plan. A master tip to making a study plan that actually works is to set realistic expectations, keep deadlines that you know you can meet and take accountability when you miss them. Works towards staying consistent and track a progress. Keep in mind that study plan cannot and should not be concrete, make changes and update your study plan as you go ahead. This is help you stay in control of your preparation while simultaneously improving your time management skills. English Learning Practice Enhance Language Skills The best way to learn any language is by listening to that language, and that’s also a part of your IELTS curriculum, so make the most out of this section.  Take out some time each day to listen to english language podcasts, interviews or even shows that interest you. The key here is to be really really attentive about what you hear.   Get a grasp of different accents, especially the one used in the country you wish to move to. This will not only help you clear your IELTS but will also be beneficial for you in the long run when you move to a foreign.  Generally, the IELTS exam is filled with slightly more complex words than the words we generally use, so while doing this is great for practice, it’s equally important to study the synonyms, parallel expressions etc. as mentioned in the curriculum. IELTS Student Group Put Skills to Practice Luckily, it’s really easy to put your IELTS curriculum to use in real-life situations. Doing this is especially important for the speaking section of your test. Pay attention to the new words you hear, note them down and look them up in the dictionary. Try to incorporate these words into your daily conversations or make up sentences in your head where these words would fit.  You can join student groups where you only talk to each other in english, this is help increase your fluency and will make you more confident and comfortable in the language. IELTS Mock Tests Practice Mock Tests This point cannot be emphasised enough. Imagine a first-time player and a seasoned player appearing for the exact same game – EXACTLY. Be prepared before you enter the field, play a test match or two. Learn from your mistakes so that you can give your best where it really matters.  For this, you can check the IDP page ( IELTS official website) and find free test papers, or you can register with an IELTS coaching classes near you that simulates real test-like environments. Get your hands on as many old IELTS tests as possible. While it’s okay if you take your own time while solving these paper initially, it’s very beneficial to time your tests after a few attempts. This will give you an idea of the time that each section demands, so that time crunch is not a concern for you on the exam day. Get Ready for IELTS Exam Prepare for the exam day When booking an IELTS test, students must schedule their test dates and pay the required fees beforehand. This allows them to have a timeframe to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the test. Preparing for the IELTS test involves more than just studying.  It is also important for