A Comprehensive Guide to IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Preparation
You’ve rightly landed on the complete guide to IELTS preparation that helps both beginners and experts alike! With global attention and the standard evaluation criteria, IELTS has been one of the most recognized English proficiency tests across the world.
If you’re planning to take the IELTS exam and need the essential tips and information to master the IELTS test, we’ll break them down in this article to share the effective strategies and make the IELTS preparation effective.
What is the IELTS Course and What Does it Include?
If you ask yourself: what is the IELTS exam, here is an answer. IELTS, otherwise known as the International English Language Testing System, refers to the language proficiency examination that tests non-native English speakers.
Introduced in 1980, IELTS eventually influenced various universities across the globe to accept test scores as key criteria for admission to English-speaking countries. The international students who plan to study in English-speaking countries should be ready for IELTS preparation.
Cambridge Assessment English and IDP: IELTS Australia together manage the IELTS test. The test not only evaluates your proficiency in English but also makes it tricky enough which needs careful planning.
IELTS measures the ability of a student to manage the English language while they seek to study or work in an English-speaking country. Your English proficiency is measured in four core areas: writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
Types of IELTS Test
Before you begin the IELTS exam preparation, you should understand that the test has two versions such as:
IELTS Academic:
This test applies to those who wish to learn in a university or a college in the country with English as their native language.
IELTS General Training:
This training is applicable when the candidate wishes to migrate to an English-speaking country for training or work.
Examination Format for IELTS Preparation
The IELTS examination is conducted basically in four parts. The total examination duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and you should complete three of the sections in a single stretch. The remaining speaking section can be finished on the same day or within seven days before or after completing the other mentioned sections. Based on the exam version, the questions in the reading and writing parts can vary.
Why is IELTS Preparation a Challenging Task?
Quite generally speaking, there is so much information, and students are not aware of the legitimate sources while they prepare for the IELTS test. It can take months to years of continuous hard work, so there is much pressure to gain right from the first time.
Here are the three main things to improve in IELTS exam preparation:
- General Level of English
- Test Skills
- Analysis of the scoring in tests
General Level of English
Being an English language test, IELTS determines the accuracy of your test based on your proficiency in English. Only studying the IELTS skills, or conducting practice tests will not help you if your level of English isn’t high enough.
Most English schools advise a minimum of six months to enhance the level of English for a candidate to the equivalent of 0.5-1 band score.
Test Skills
As there are four parts to the test, every part has a set of different possible questions where you need to showcase the specific skill you need to acquire. For instance, in academics, students can see one of the seven different types of questions in the writing section task 1.
Each type of question demands different skills. The listening and reading parts have more than 10 different types of questions each. All these questions require various strategies and skills.
Your IELTS preparation should revolve around these skills and combine them with a good level of English to earn a high score on the test. Mastering the skills can take a significant amount of time and most schools advise spending at least three months of learning these skills.
Analysis of the scoring in tests
The quickest way to improve the scores is by analyzing what the examiners need and giving it to them. But, you cannot just learn this and earn a high score; instead, this should be combined with practice to improve your English level and test skills.
Step-by-Step Guide to Ace IELTS Preparation
Here is a guide that lets you understand and analyze how to prepare for IELTS effectively for the best results:
1. Choose the type of IELTS training you wish to take
Have a clear understanding of the kind of preparation you have in your mind. Ensure that you are on the right path and choose between the general training or the academic based on your requirements.
2. Understand the format of the test
As mentioned above, the test comprises four core parts. It is mandatory to understand and read through the format of the test and make sure that you are well aware of the anatomy of the test while you prepare.
3. Set realistic objectives
The score you want and the score you might get different. Set a clear picture of the score you wish to get and make effective preparation which will help you get the best score possible.
4. Analyze the marking criteria
The IELTS academic test uses a band score system that ranges between 1 to 9. It measures the proficiency of the candidate across listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Awarding the marks on the listening section is based on the number of correct answers where each correct answer earns one mark and there are no penalties for any incorrect answer. This means you can answer all the questions in the section without fear of losing marks.
Every correct answer in the reading section gives you one mark. You get one hour to complete the 40 questions in the section.
In the writing section, the examiner tests your ability to convey the ideas coherently and in detail while proving your grammatical accuracy and task achievement.
In the speaking section, the examiner assesses your vocabulary usage, grammar, fluency, and clarity, pronunciation. It also checks your ability and answers the questions for a face-to-face interview discussion.
5. Understand various types of question
The reading and listening sections consist of more than 10 types of questions. There are also more than 10 kinds of questions while considering the writing test. Understanding them will give a great advantage since each of these needs a different strategy to be adopted.
6. Ace your IELTS skills
There are several approaches and strategies you need to succeed in the IELTS examination. For instance, how well do you know how to make an effective introduction? Are you adept at developing answers for your speaking test? Make sure you answer these kinds of questions to check whether you have the required skills for the test.
7. Amp Up your vocabulary
Vocabulary is a fundamental part of the IELTS test. It includes 25% of the total marks of the speaking section and writing sections. This is also tested in the reading and listening parts. Have a vocabulary improvement plan. And make sure you align your vocabulary with the requirements of the test.
8. Learn English daily
When you talk about enhancing your English skills, practicing every day is a must. There are millions of ways to practice daily. The more you speak and use English, the more your skills will be improved and the higher the chances of obtaining the score you wish.
You can also combine learning English with other common topics like education, technology, technology, etc. Understanding and listening to such common topics is a useful technique that lets you build your vocabulary and grow ideas for improving your English.
9. Practice tests
The IELTS practice test helps you establish your band score and familiarize yourself with the exam pattern. Be alert about the fake tests around. The fake test can be misleading and can prevent you from understanding what the real test is like.
Follow the tests from trustworthy official sources, —you can refer to the past papers of Cambridge. Other reliable sources you can check out are the British Council, IDP, IELTS Essentials, etc.
10. Assess your speaking and writing
A qualified teacher can help you assess your speaking and writing skills. They can tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are. Being the crucial part of this IELTS preparation, you can focus on the things that you need to improve.
The most significant strategy for IELTS preparation is to figure out your weaknesses, work on them, and then have your work evaluated by an experienced IELTS instructor. They can guide you on whether you have improved and suggest what is the next focus.
In a Nutshell
IELTS exam preparation needs patience and practice, the way to cracking the tests demands strategic thinking and hardworking ethics. Seeking guidance from the experts for effective IELTS preparation is the best way you can adopt while you plan to ace the tests.
To conclude, there is no one-size-fits-all solution while you are thinking about how to prepare for IELTS. As you know what is an IELTS course, the combination of smart strategies and diligent efforts helps you multiply the opportunities of earning a desired score on this challenging yet interesting test.