IELTS Preparation Guide:-
It is very important to prepare thoroughly for the IELTS test before you take the actual test. It is not an easy test, and it is not very easy to access the desired band score. However, Everyone has their own way of preparing for the test there are certain things you should consider, IELTS preparation guide aids you while preparing for the test.
Learn and understand about the test
It is important that you properly learn and understand what IELTS is. IELTS is a commonly heard topic and many have a basic concept of the test. Yet for a test taker or students, it is important to understand what type of test IELTS is and what it is testing you for.
IELTS is not a simple English test that you learn from your schools or colleges, it is specifically a Proficiency test. It is a skill test for your level of English, and it will access your English with four skill tests: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Therefore, preparation is much needed in IELTS.
While preparing for your test, you need to know as much as you can about the test, the test types, band scores, and prepare for all the test contents (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
You should be aware of what happens in the test, how is the test conducted, how is the test scored, and understand the time provided for each test. Try to gather as much information as you can about the test format, question types, time limits, and the rules one needs to follow in the test centre.
Learn about the test types of IELTS provide
There are two test types for IELTS: Academic and General Training. The test taker or students must know about the type of test they are taking as the type of test one will take will depend upon the test taker’s purpose for taking the test.
Determine the purpose for the test and choose the test type accordingly. If you wish to know more about the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic test, click here.
Understand the test format
It is well understood that IELTS have two test types: Academic and General. The test format for both test types will be the same for the Listening and Speaking sections and the test format will be different for the Writing and Reading sections of IELTS.
You should be aware of the number of questions asked and ways to answer the given questions. While understanding the test format, try to thoroughly understand about the time limits and the question types.
Understand the scoring
As a test taker, it is important for you to understand how you will be scored. For reading and listening, you will be scored for every correct answer. So, for each correct answer, you will receive 1 mark. Later, the total marks you receive will be converted to band scores.
But, for your Writing and Speaking test, you will be accessed for the answers you provide. The examiner will access you based on the scoring guidelines specified by the IELTS. A better understanding of the scoring will help you get better results.
Understand your Level of English
Understanding your Level of English can be interpreted as understanding to what extent you can understand and express yourself in English. Your level of English will more or less determine what score you will get. So, it is important to understand your level of English to know your stance and improve your level.
If one has a better understanding and clear idea of their level of English, the person and student can focus on their weaknesses and work on them for improvement and better band scores.
Understand the Question types
In each question section of the test; Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking there are a variety of questions asked. Each question type will be different and the test taker must be known how to answer every question asked.
There is a specific guideline for answering questions in the IELTS test, without following the proper IELTS preparation guide, it is impossible to score the desired result. Answering a question in the test is not just for the sake of answering them, it is for demonstrating your English skill. It is also the reason why a student who can write excellent essays in school scores only an average in writing. It usually happens as the student is unable to demonstrate the skills the essay question is looking for.
As a test taker, you should be able to demonstrate your required skills for scoring. Therefore, test preparation is important for a test taker.
Set a Goal
While preparing for the test you need to set a realistic goal for the test and prepare based on your aimed score. It is always good to aim for a higher score but setting a realistic goal is important as setting a specific goal to achieve a certain band score will help you focus to prepare for the set goal.
If you are a beginner at English and have to take your test within a few weeks, it is very unrealistic that you aim for a 9-Band Score. For achieving a band score of 9 you have to be an Expert at English and you will need preparations accordingly. So, it is better to set a realistic goal where you can improve and get the desired result.
Take Practice Tests
Take as many practice tests as you can before you take the actual test. Taking the practice test will help you understand the test format better. You will be able to grasp the question types, scoring techniques, and time management. Taking the practice test will help you spot your mistakes and weaknesses, and then you can focus on the ways to correct them.
Taking practice tests is a very good way of improving your English skills and it greatly helps you to manage time during the actual test. There are many sample tests available online for a test taker to practice. You can even get access to more practice tests by joining an IELTS preparation class. You will gain more experience in this way.
Learn of Common Topics and Vocabulary
As you take the practice tests and study for your IELTS Test, you will notice a variety of questions but it may be under a similar topic, repeated several times. Find such topics and common vocabularies, this will help the test takers be better prepared for the test.
Learn to Manage Time
There are 4 sections of the IELTS test that a test taker must complete within a span of 2 hours 45 minutes. The test taker will have a specified time limit for completing a specific time.
For example, the test taker is required to answer 40 questions within an hour for the Reading test. This might seem easy, but the test taker is also required to answer the questions based on the texts given, there are 3 texts and the total length of the text could range from 2,150 to 2,750 words. Without proper time management, it would be nearly impossible to attend to every question within the given time.
Expand your capacity
Try your best to improve your English before you give the IELTS test. Expand your vocabulary, improve your overall skills and try to achieve a higher band score than you are capable of. If you have enough time to prepare for the test, try your best to improve your skills. It will help you gain more experience.
Try giving a full test under the exam conditions
Giving a practice test under all exam conditions like a real IELTS test will help you grasp the difficulties you might face during the actual test.
It will help you understand how the test is taken with a first-hand experience. Taking a real test without fully understanding the test will only result in underwhelming results. Taking a practice test with all the exam conditions will help you tackle the overwhelming pressure one might face during an actual test.
Prepare with Proper IELTS classes
It is always better if you take a proper IELTS preparation training class. Superficially, an IELTS test might look like a simple English test, but it is much more difficult than an English test.
There are many institutions that claim to prepare students for the IELTS test, yet many students remain underprepared for the test despite training from the institutions that claim to provide IELTS preparation classes. So, it is important for the students to choose a well-equipped and experienced training class while preparing for the IELTS test.
Get your English accessed by an IELTS teacher
It is much easier to learn about your skills in the Reading and Listening tests because you will be awarded a score for every right answer. But scoring in the Writing and Speaking is different, for these tests an examiner will access your test and score you based on the guidelines provided by the IELTS. To learn about your speaking and writing skills, try to get your skills tested by a professional IELTS teacher. This will help you recognize your level and understand the areas for improvement.
Give the IELTS
Give your IELTS test when you are fully prepared. As seen in most cases, the test taker does not have enough time to prepare for the test but if you are a test taker who has enough time to prepare for the test, try to choose a test date when you are fully prepared. You will score higher when you are fully prepared for the test.
FAQs on Preparations for IELTS
How to prepare for IELTS?
There is no steadfast rule to preparing for the IELTS. But there are certain tips one should consider while preparing for the test. Everything one must do to best prepare for the test, a few tips are mentioned in this Gurubaa blog.
How long does it take to prepare for IELTS?
The time required to prepare for the IELTS test greatly depends on your English skills. However, we believe 30 days is a justified period of time to prepare for the test while improving your English skills.
Can I prepare for IELTS at Home?
Yes, you can. There are enough materials and guidelines on the internet to get you all prepared for the test. But if you have no idea for starting your preparations, it is advised to join a preparation class for an easier and quicker approach to IELTS.
Does IELTS need Preparation?
Yes, one needs to prepare for the IELTS test. The test may superficially look like a simple English test, but it isn’t so. To achieve a higher and better Band Score preparations are much needed.
We hope this Gurubaa Blog added help to your IELTS preparations. If you have more queries regarding Preparations, feel free to leave a comment or you can contact us. Gurubaa Educational Institution also provides IELTS preparation through the physical outlet in Kathmandu.
If you wish to learn more about IELTS, then please visit our Gurubaa blog on IELTS.
