IELTS Tips and Tricks for Learning
IELTS is an International English language test which is taken to check the proficiency of English language. As, many English countries check your English proficiency test before hiring the employees. Structure of IELTS exam is different from regular exams as the examiner to check your capability in the 4 areas of English language, i-e listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
This would be better for you to prepare your exams according to the format of IELTS test.
Here you can find the best test details about IELTS exam ieltsdass.com
As IELTS can open doors of success for your future, you need to prepare this test in the best possible way. Here are some best IELTS tips and tricks.
IELTS tips and tricks on the day of exam (IELTS Tips and Tricks)
- The IELTS test will be 2 hour and 40 minutes long, so eat and sleep well before exams to avoid distraction during exam.
- Take your relevant ID identification documents with you.
- Check your test location, date and time. Make sure you have enough time to travel to avoid late arrival.
- Wrist watch is not allowed in the examination hall, so don’t wear it. There will be a clock on the wall in hall.
- Listen to all instructions of supervisor carefully, and if you do not understand anything you should ask it.
- You are not allowed to take the question paper out of the room. Seek the permission of examiner before leaving the room.
- Do not take any answer sheet or electronic device with you because these things are not allowed.
- You are not allowed to take any learning aid in the room.
- Be focused and remain calm during your exam.
IELTS Listening tips and tricks
You should practice listening before the exam day. Listen to those podcasts whose time limits match with the exams listening sessions. Don’t try to look for shortcuts as they cannot help you to achieve bands 9 in exam. Start from lower to higher level to achieve good bands.
Here are some tips which you should follow during exam.
Check your headphone before the start of recording. If you have any issue, raise your hand, then someone will come; tell him your problem.
If instead of headphones, loud speaker are used then make sure you have proper access to listening. Otherwise fix this issue before the start of exam.
Try to read all given questions before the start of recording. Mark the main points or keywords which will help you during paper solving. Also, practice them at home as a part of your preparation.
You should focus on the answer of questions. If you cannot understand anything then instead of wasting time focus on the answer or for specific details related to your answer.
Also count the words of answers. For example, ‘12 pieces’ is one number and one word. Look for details, if examiner has asked two words then write only two words.
After listening, the invigilator will give you 10 minutes to transfer these answers to answer sheet. For computer, 2 minutes are given to check the answers.
To avoid handwriting issue, it is commonly advised to write capital letters. For computer bases IELTS test, this is not a big issue.
Look at the missing answers. The chance of guessing right answer is pretty high for “yes”, “no” or “don’t know” questions.
If you highlight keywords during reading questions the chance of missing any question is pretty low.
Write answers clearly. You may lose your number because of the lack of clarity in writing.
Once you have solved your answers then go back and look for all missing out questions. Make guesses about them you haven’t given answers. Your aim is to fill your answer sheet without any blank space.
IELTS reading tips and tricks
Make a schedule to read every day. Try to do combine reading as this will help you to clear your confusions.
It is recommended to read for 20-30 minutes newspaper, articles or blogs on different topics.
Learn and remember common words that are used in every day discussion.
Learn different techniques of reading. Skimming and scanning are very helpful techniques while reading. You can be perfect in using these techniques if you practice them well.
Start your habit by reading topics of interest. Also learn other topics as IELTS test examiners choose any random topic.
While you are doing practice for IELTS exam at home, set a time limit for reading. This will help you to check your speed, and also you can analyze your ability to understand.
Each question has a worth of one mark. Therefore, if you find hard to search an answer, leave that question instead of wasting time. Always look at clock, so you should have enough time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
It would be better if you familiarize yourself with the pattern of questions. Following types of questions can be included in reading
- Multiple choice
- Title of the passages
- Sentence completion questions
- Short answers
- Look for specific information ( scanning)
Find answers according to the need of the questions. You need not to understand the whole text. Mostly, first you have to read questions and then find answers according to the demand of the question.
It is essential to write spellings correctly. Otherwise, your answer will be considered wrong.
IELTS speaking test –tips to perform well
Speaking is an exam which tests your ability of conversation instead of knowledge. The best way to deal with speaking issues is to make a group, discuss and express your opinion. This practice should be done on daily basis.
Once you are used to having such conversation, the chances of your getting high bands would be high. In addition there are some tips which will help you in your speaking exam test. Further details about speaking IELTS exam are on this article IELTS speaking tips.
Speak daily with friends. Also, try to speak with proper pronunciation and intonation using varied vocabulary.
Rather than just focusing on your vocabulary, also pay attention to use of right grammar and sentence structure. Do not try to use more flowery words to impress the examiner. Try to use words which are easy to understand.
Vocabulary is just 25% of exams marks. So, also pay attention to other factors that are involved in speaking.
Don’t overuse idioms. The examiner will note if you only use idioms without sense. Focus on using meaningful words with appropriate grammar.
Speaking IELTS is an informal test. So, be clear and talk with confidence. Be chatty and talk more and more.
Don’t be silent during exam. Try to speak at unfamiliar topics at home, so in case if examiner asks unfamiliar topics then at least you can say some words.
Add more and more information until examiner asks you to stop. You can add information, examples or description regarding topic to make your discussion meaningful.
Speaking IELTS exam consists of 3 parts
- Part 1 and part 3 require immediate response to questions.
- While, in part 2 the examiner gives you some time- one minute to prepare answer and two minutes to speak.
When examiner gives you time to prepare for part 2 question he will not look at your cue card. It’s ok to look at the notes during answer, but also try to make eye-contact.
Use synonyms or related words regarding topic. For example, if examiner has asked you to speak on success, you can use related keywords such as motivation, give up, looking forward, move on or antonyms such as failure, broke, low confidence etc.
You can wear any clothes you like during IELTS speaking test. Examiner will not give you marks on the basis of your dress. Just wear clothes you are comfortable with.
If examiner interrupts you during answer, don’t lose confidence. Just focus on the next question. Interruption of examiner during exam is normal.
Some students might confuse with cue cards. Cue card is written in simple English and topics on card are common which everyone can understand and speak.
IELTS writing exam tips (IELTS Tips and Tricks)
Write relevant and focused information. Do not focus on writing a long essay or letter because this will not increase your marks.
Writing includes two task. During practice at home set a time limit and practice them. For task 1 have 20 minutes and for task 2 you need 40 minutes to write.
Write above 150 words for task 1 while for task 2 this word limit is 250.
During exams, do not count words as this will waste your time. In case, if you want to have a guess of how much you have written then quickly count lines and have an estimate of words.
If you want to do planning for writing an essay, you can do it on question paper. The examiner will not see your planning and allot marks on the basis of written essay material.
For IELTS General, make sure you have written all the relevant points related to letters.
Always write conclusion for task 2. And also focus on writing body paragraphs, as the structure of paragraph will be considered by examiner.
Focus on using write spelling. Your test will get negative marking in case of wrong spelling.
IELTS tips one week before the test
Following tips will be very useful during the preparation of IELTS before test day.
Practice will boost you confidence
Practice until you feel comfortable with study plan. For reading, practice reading magazines, articles, and blogs on daily basis. Listen to English news and also watch English movies. This will make a way to prepare for your listening exam. For writing, it would be better to start writing on different topics.
Follow a study plan
Make a study plan by considering your area of strengths and weaknesses. After making this plan, follow it strictly.
Practice IELTS tips
Always study IELTS exam preparation course. This course will help you to know the best tips and also the details of IELTS exam, for example, time table, test paper pattern, type of questions, and how to attempt. If you do not have an access to course then consider of having an English teacher.
Practice according to exam day
Make sure you are alone for 2 hours and 40 minutes. Then, follow all three consecutive tests- reading, writing and listening. Once you practice all these exams under pressure, this will help you a lot to manage your time on exam day.
Don’t memorize answer
The examiner expects to be natural in your response. Do not memorize answer, as this will not help you to score high for IELTS exams.
