How to Prepare For ILETS - Preparation Plan and Tips

When planning to move abroad, from receiving a degree to getting a job, the IELTS is a common exam that everyone should take. As one of the most widely accepted tests in the world, IELTS might be your ticket to travel internationally. Particularly for a country like the United Kingdom, IELTS is the only secure English test certified by UKVI for visa applications both inside and outside the country. Although achieving a good score on the IELTS exam is often considered to be difficult, but is not.

All you have to do is be prepared. When it comes to preparation, we are sure the most challenging part for you is deciding where to begin exam preparation. You may need someone to walk you through the entire IELTS preparation process. Guess what? We have heard your appeal and are here to assist you in preparing for the IELTS exam. We will tell you everything you need to know about IELTS, from what it is to how to prepare for each section. Continue reading this IELTS study guide to learn everything you need to know about preparing for the IELTS exam.

IELTS Preparation: A Step-by-Step Approach (General)

Here is the six-step master strategy to keep you on track in your IELTS preparation:

STEP 1: Determine your position

If you don't know what your present English level is on the IELTS scale, you can't be sure how far away you are from your goal. As a result, the first step in any IELTS preparation strategy should be to assess your proficiency level. There are several practice exams available, however, the EF SET is the easiest way to determine your current IELTS score. It is a 50-minute test but an hour well spent because you will get an EF SET score and an IELTS equivalence score for both reading and listening. Unless your speech and writing abilities are high, you now have a good idea of where you stand.

STEP 2: Improve your English skills

You can improve your English using internet resources, books, or any way you like, or you can enroll in a class. You must improve your English in all areas: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. You can, but are not required to, use IELTS-specific study resources at this time. Any English study strategy that you enjoy can help you prepare for the IELTS exam, for example:

• Read about issues that interest you in English, and force yourself to seek vocabulary you don't understand. Newspapers and periodicals are excellent resources for expanding your vocabulary.
• Reading will aid your writing, but you should also practice it. Do not limit yourself to just one type. Keeping an English diary, writing short tales, and attempting essays are all effective ways to practice.
• Make your corrections or have someone else go through your work with you.
• Listen to English-language radio or watch English-language movies. Replay the sections you didn't understand until you do.
• It can be challenging to get enough speaking practice on your own, but with a little effort, you can find a language exchange partner online or in your community. Encourage yourself to speak on topics other than "hello, how are you?"

There are also excellent IELTS preparation classes available online and abroad, as well as in local schools. If you have the financial means, enrolling in an IELTS preparation course can kickstart your efforts and get you right to step 3.

STEP 3: Become familiar with the IELTS test format

To achieve a high IELTS score, you must improve your English. If a natural English speaker does not prepare for the IELTS, he will not able to achieve a good score. You must understand how the test is scored, how much text is necessary for each prompt, and when points are deducted or added. There may be minor details that are essential, such as:

• Should I make an educated guess or skip that question if I am not sure?
• In the listening section, how many times can I be able to hear a recording?
• What if the examiner is unable to interpret my handwriting?

STEP 4: Put yourself to the test once more

There is one more step before you sign up to take the IELTS exam once determined that your English has improved and familiarized yourself with the test. Re-examine your abilities. Take the EFSET Plus again to see how much you've progressed. If you have access to an IELTS speaking or writing practice exam, make use of it. Do not, under any circumstances, omit this final step. It is the only way to determine whether or not you're ready to pay money to take the official exam. It's pointless to take the IELTS if you're not sure you'll be able to pass with the required score.

STEP 5: Practice With and without a timer

You have a set amount of time to complete the IELTS test. So, don't forget to use a timer at least once when cooking. You will feel less stressed during the exam if you know how to respond quickly.

STEP 6: Set realistic objectives

'Realistic' is the essential term here. There is a significant disparity between the score you desire and the score you are likely to achieve.

Effective preparation will assist you in succeeding and ensuring that you receive the highest possible score, but it will not guarantee miracles.

Important preparation plan and tips

Now that you've learned the basics of IELTS preparation, let's look at each exam stage in greater depth. In the sections below, you'll find helpful hints for the IELTS reading, listening, writing, and speaking sections.

Reading, writing, listening, & speaking is indeed the four sections of the IELTS test in 2021. Wondering, what's the difference, though.

In the Academic and General Training tests, the IELTS Writing and Reading exams are different. Topics on the Academic test are appropriate for anyone entering a university or professional school. The General Training test, on the other hand, includes topics of general interest. Whether you take either of them, the Listening and Speaking sections remain identical.

Each section of the exam has a specified time limit. For more details, see the table below:

To assist you in preparing for the IELTS exam, we have provided preparation advice for each section.

1)Tips for the IELTS Listening Test

The listening component assesses your ability to comprehend the language. It is divided into four sections and has 40 questions.

Here are major tips for IELTS listening test:

• Make sure your headphones are working correctly; if they aren't, contact the examiner and request a replacement.
• Before the recording begins, use the time provided to read the questions.
• When listening to the recording, take notes on the question paper.
• Pay close attention to the tape and concentrate on the answers. There will only be one playback of the recording.
• Give proper attention to the examples as this will help during the test.
• Provide answers that are within the word limit.
• All answers should be written in capital letters. It is not a hard and fast rule, but we strongly advise you to follow it. Using only capital letters eliminates the possibility of making a mistake while capitalizing specific words.
• Before submitting, double-check for grammar and spelling issues.

Four important sections of IELTS Listening test

Section 1: A two-person conversation in a daily social situation (such as a conversation between the hotel manager and customer).

Section 2: A monologue set in a real-life social setting (such as a speech on local services).

Section 3: An instructional or training discourse involving upto four persons (such as a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment).

Section 4: An intellectual monologue (such as a university lecture).

2)Tips for IELTS Reading test

This section assesses your ability to read. Long articles, multiple-choice questions, short replies, matching facts, and sentence completion are all required. Academic writing can be more challenging than General Training.

2.1 Expect not to comprehend every word

Although maintaining a strong vocabulary is important for a strong IELTS score, worrying about all the phrases you don't understand in the reading section is one of the worst things you can do.

2.2 Pay attention to your reading skills

It is critical to become familiar with the IELTS reading test, IELTS reading tips, and the different types of questions.

2.3 Read Instructions very carefully

Good IELTS candidates lose a lot of simple scores because they don't read the instructions carefully. It is particularly true in reading and listening assessments, which provide highly explicit directions. You will get the question wrong if you do not follow the exact guidelines.

2.4 Don't be afraid

Some of the questions will be simple, while others will be highly challenging. When trying to answer a difficult question, the key is to remain calm.

2.5 It is just a test of vocabulary

The reading test is more of a vocabulary test than reading in many aspects. They will test your vocabulary by using synonyms and paraphrased sentences. To prepare for this, our experts recommend that students read, take notes, and review.

2.6 It is all about the timing

You will have less time for the other questions if you spend too much time on one topic. The best advice is, everyone reads and answers questions in their unique way, so figure out what works best for you and be skeptical of people who encourage you to spend a specific amount of time on each question.

Common mistakes to avoid in the IELTS reading test

3) Tips for IELTS writing test

The IELTS Writing Exam will take 60 minutes to complete.

IELTS Academic Writing Test

There are two tasks in the IELTS Academic Writing Test. The topics are of general interest to anyone starting undergraduate or postgraduate studies or pursuing professional registration, and they are appropriate for them.

Task 1: A graph, table, chart, or diagram will be provided to you, and you will be required to describe, summarise, or explain the information in your own words. You may be requested to describe and explain data, process phases, how something works, or a specific object or event.

Task 2: Respond to a point of view, argument, or problem in an essay.

Both activities need responses to be written in a formal style.

IELTS Writing General Training

The IELTS General Training Writing test is a test that assesses your ability to communicate in English. `Two writing assignments are included, both of which are focused on topics of popular interest.

Task 1: You'll be given a situation and instructed to compose a letter asking for information or explaining what's going on. The letter might be written in a personal, semi-formal, or official tone.

Task 2: Respond to a point of view, argument, or problem in an essay. The style of the essay can be a little more personal than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

Do you want to know how to prepare for the IELTS writing test? Our helpful hints will assist you!

Before test

• Don't try to learn any new English! Review what you've learned so far. Examine the IELTS exam strategies, writing techniques, and vocabulary.
• Read a great deal of English. Take a look at the documents. Listen to the news on the BBC. Watch English-language dramas. This will assist you in memorizing words, sentence patterns, often-used phrases, and so on.
• Take three to four model tests. Try to figure out how long the test will last. Recognize how much time you should spend on each component.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. You will not perform at your best if you are fatigued. Sleep well and eat sensibly.

During test 

• Give each task a time limit, such as 40 minutes for a longer activity and 20 minutes for a shorter task. 1 For the first exercise, try to write more than 150 words, and for the second task, more than 250 words.
• Make sure task 2 has a conclusion. Don't use the same words or phrases twice.
• Use active voice instead of passive voice.
• Avoid writing long sentences and stick to the subject.
• Before submitting, double-check your work.

Things to Remember on IELTS Exam Day

• Leave early from home to ensure that you reach the exam center on time.
• Make sure you had a restful night's sleep.
• Ensure you have documentation of your identification or passport. (Make sure you know what kind of identification you'll need for the IELTS exam.)
• Do not deceive yourself. You will be immediately rejected and will never be able to take the test again. Do not bring any cash or other valuables with you.

Although IELTS is a difficult test to master, it is possible to earn a decent score with methodical and continuous preparation. Because the writing component of the IELTS is one of the most challenging, it takes a lot of practice and repetition to master it.

4) Tips for IELTS speaking test

The IELTS speaking test is divided into three parts and lasts 11 to 14 minutes.

Part 1-It consists of 4 to 5 minutes of IELTS speaking questions about you and your family, which are asked by the examiner. It is the simplest section of the test since it is designed to help the examiner relax. The types of IELTS Speaking part 1 questions that are presented are related to your job, studies, hometown, family, or interests.

Part 2-It is around 3 to 4 minutes in length. A cue card with a topic and pointers is handed to you. You take a minute or two to read the card, come up with answers, and jot down your thoughts. You talk about the issue for the next minute or two, using the notes you took. The type of questions answered in IELTS Speaking part 2 are descriptive and related to personal experience.

Part 3-It lasts about 4 to 5 minutes. The examiner asks questions related to the second part theme. Here are the common types of IELTS questions:

• Hypothetical
• What is your point of view?
• The relationship between cause and effect
• Contrast and compare
• The past, the present, and the future
• What do you think of someone else's point of view?

While searching for the best IELTS speaking preparation tips, follow these IELTS speaking techniques to ace the exam:

• Every day, set aside half an hour to either listen to or read anything in English. When you're reading, say it out loud. It facilitates pronunciation.
• Every day, devote another half-hour to speaking English, especially with someone fluent in the language.
• Learn proper grammar and functional language usage for the topics in the test.
• Because the speaking test relies on real-life situations, it is best to practice imitating this part when preparing. Find a study companion instead of writing down the answers to questions. Interact with them and get experience by answering their questions.
• If you cannot find a companion, speak to yourself in the mirror or better record your responses. You can enhance your pronunciation, modulation, and grammar by listening to the audio.

Now, learn some tricks or tips to overcome the fear/ anxiety in IELTS

Mental and Physical Preparation Strategies

A well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are necessary for maintaining physical and emotional energy throughout the day.

Here are 5 natural ways to keep your energy levels up all-day

Tip 1-Foods like milk, cereals, fruits, salad, and eggs are must-haves for a healthful breakfast. They digest slowly and provide a steady supply of energy for lengthy periods.

Tip 2-Raisins, figs, and dates are all-natural energy enhancers. Nuts including almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios are also high in fat. To receive a natural energy boost, nibble on a handful of dried fruits and nuts.

Tip 3-Taking 5 minutes of long, deep breaths while waiting for the next exam to begin will relax the mind and rejuvenate the body.

Tip 4-Spending at least half an hour each day in fresh air and sunlight helps to naturally sustain energy. Walk to the exam center because, although sunlight aids the body's natural production of important compounds such as Vitamin D, the outdoors and nature are also mentally invigorating. Again, try to spend at least five minutes outside before the next exam begins.

Tip 5-Avoid caffeine and sugar-rich processed foods, which provide a temporary high but quickly deplete your energy.

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