It might be intimidating when you want to study for an exam but don’t know where to start. Understanding how the exam is structured and how it is marked is the first step in preparing and studying for the IELTS, followed by creating a strategy to get the desired result.
So, if you’re wondering how to study for the IELTS properly? We have your back with this post. Continue reading to learn how to study for IELTS and coming out of your exam with flying colors.
Guide On How To Study For IELTS
Below is a guide on how to study and be prepared for your IELTS exam:
- Understand the test format.
- Choose the proper IELTS test.
- Develop your English capabilities.
- Develop your reading and writing skills.
- Understand the band scores
- Exercise fluency and pronunciation.
1. Understand The Test Format
Knowing the IELTS exam format is one of the vital things to do before the exams. It will enable you to become familiar with the different sections of the exam before the big day so that nothing will come as a surprise.
The IELTS test is divided into four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). They include the following kinds of questions:
- Listening: it comprises 40 questions, divided into four portions, it involves recorded texts and speeches
- Reading: it comprises 40 questions based on three passages from books, periodicals, newspapers, and other sources in the reading section.
- Writing: This part contains two tasks, a letter and an essay.
- Speaking: This part involves an interview, it is a face-to-face interview.
The test’s 2 hours and 45 minutes of total time are divided as follows:
- Listening: 30 mins
- Reading: 60 mins
- Writing: 60 mins
- Speaking: 14 mins.
2. Choose The Right IELTS Test
If you want to move, study or work in a nation where the spoken language will determine which IELTS test you need to take, you need the IELTS Academic test to pursue higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking nation.
Take the IELTS General Training exam, If you wish to immigrate to Australia, Canada,New Zealand, or the UK. You can also take this exam if you are pursuing a career in higher education or seeking vocational training.
3. Practice Test
Once you decide which IELTS exam you need to take, prepare for it by being familiar with the test’s structure, components, and common questions.
Practice IELTS exams to prepare for test day once familiar with the examination structure and questions. Guide your study by first identifying your shortcomings by taking a practice test.
This is a crucial step in your preliminary planning to help identify your strengths and shortcomings. It is equally important to build on your strengths and to strengthen your areas of weaknessto lay a strong foundation for your exam.
Numerous fake tests are available. You can find these tests online or in your neighborhood bookstore. But it’s possible that those who wrote them had no prior knowledge of the IELTS and were just after a quick buck.
Fake tests are frequently used to deceive pupils and keep them from knowing what a genuine test entails. Visit the following website to find actual IELTS exam samples:
- BritainCouncil.org
- IELTS.org
- IELTS-exam.net
The benefits of practicing with online practice exams include the following:
- It implies that you can respond at your own pace without worrying about running out of time.
- You get instant findings and feedback.
- Many of them are available online at no cost.
It would help if you spent most of your time honing your IELTS and English proficiency.
4. Develop Your English Capabilities
Focusing solely on the IELTS is one of the major mistakes that students make. They take numerous IELTS practice exams but neglect to work on their English. There is no substitute for daily practice to enhance your English.
Most of my most successful students discovered an activity they liked in English and continued doing it regularly. The more you speak English, the better your skills will get, and the more likely you will receive the required grade.
Daily English practice can have a significant impact. Even just 5 minutes a day can make a substantial difference; doing something as easy as reading English news articles, writing a letter to a friend, or watching English-language movies will help a lot.
5. Develop Your Reading And Writing Skills
The most crucial aspect of your IELTS preparation is this. You are wasting a lot of time if you don’t know what your shortcomings are since you won’t know where to put your attention.
To get better, you must concentrate on your areas of weakness. Getting a skilled tutor to evaluate your speech and writing is crucial. In addition to being able to tell you where you stand right now, they will be able to identify your vulnerabilities.
The best IELTS preparation method is to identify your areas of weakness, concentrate on those areas, and then return to have your work evaluated by a qualified IELTS teacher.
They can then let you know if you’ve improved or not and provide you suggestions for your next course of action. Make sure you practice with a variety of questions so that you get used to them all.
You won’t have time to read the texts numerous times because time is essential in the reading module. There are ways to help you stay out of this circumstance. For instance, how to skim the material and what information you should pay attention to.
6. Understand The Band Scores
It’s good to become familiar with the meaning of each score and the standards that examiners use to evaluate candidates for the Speaking and Writing examinations.
Your IELTS score comes out as a band score ranging from 0 to 9. Each band score represents a level of proficiency in English. You will be given a separate and overall band score for each exam.
Exercise fluency and pronunciation
Three components make up the speaking portion. The options include a scheduled interview, a brief conversation, and a free interview. For 4 to 5 minutes, you will answer questions on 2 to 3 short topics you are familiar with.
In part, for quick talks, be prepared to speak for two minutes. You will be given one minute to prepare for your discussion. The duration of the entire portion is 3 to 4 minutes.
All it needs is regular practice. By employing a new term or the proper pronunciation. Here are some pointers on the IELTS speaking exam and how to prepare for it.
Fluency:
- Practice speaking for a reasonable amount of time.
- To check your English pronunciation, say it out loud.
- Make as many recordings of yourself speaking on many subjects as you can.
Pronounce:
- Listen to spoken English (on the radio, on TV, and in movies) as much as possible.
- In recordings, repeat words after the speaker to practice speaking in word groups and utilizing appropriate stress and intonation.
- As much as you can, record and listen to yourself speaking.
Conclusion
In summary, you have a great chance of passing your IELTS exam with good preparation. We have stated in this article that there are four phases to this exam:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
We have also outlined various guidelines to help you study for the IELTS exam. Also, try as much as to avoid the following:
- Avoid memorizing your answers for the exam.
- Avoid including irrelevant answers; you can add additional information that must be relevant to the question.
- Avoid repetition, using the same English word over and over. Try to master as much vocabulary, so your writing and speaking can be fluent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should I Study For The IELTS Exams?
We advise students to devote 6 to 8 weeks to study for the IELTS exam, paying particular attention to their writing, reading, and test-taking techniques. Make sure you comprehend the requirements for each portion of the IELTS exam because they are distinct from one another.
How Can I Pass The IELTS First Attempt?
Top 5 strategies and advice from professionals to ace the IELTS, exclusively for you:
- Improve your speaking, writing, reading, and listening abilities by practicing them.
- Practice with IELTS sample papers.
- Think about speed.
- Be composed.
- Answer every question.
Which Part Of IELTS Is Most Difficult?
The writing section, according to numerous assessments on the IELTS sections. The writing portion of every exam is seen as the hardest. It could appear on important English proficiency exams like the IELTS or school exams.
What Should I Bring To The IELTS Exam?
You should bring the passport or national identification card you used to schedule your IELTS. You can get pens, pencils, and erasers into the exam room if you take the IELTS on paper. The center will give you pencils and paper if you take the IELTS on a computer.
References
- https://www.etoninstitute.com/blog/5-best-tips-pass-ielts-english-language-test
- https://www.britishcouncilfoundation.id/en/english/tips/right-way-prepare-ielts
- https://ielts.idp.com/nigeria/prepare/article-introduction-to-ielts-in-6-steps
- https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/ielts-preparation/
- https://www.eurekly.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-ielts/
