IELTS Tips & Tricks

The International English Language Testing System is one of the most widely attempted English language proficiency tests for assessing the English language ability of non-native English speakers. It is commonly known as the IELTS exam. It is required for admission to educational institutions, visa applications for migration purposes, and employment in English-speaking countries. The IELTS exam is of two main versions:

• IELTS Academic: This version is typically required for admission to universities and colleges where English is the medium of instruction.
• IELTS General Training: This version is usually required for immigration purposes or non-academic training programs.

With this introduction, let us learn some tips & tricks before appearing for the IELTS examination:

• Know the Test Format: Familiarize yourself with the test format for each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). You need to understand and get used to the different types of questions you will get for your IELTS exam. Once you learn the question type and how to find answers to those questions, you can learn to adjust your timing accordingly. This time management will help you complete each section of the test within the given time.
• Practice on a Regular Basis: Practicing regularly is like taking pills to cure your illness. If you practice regularly, you will be able to improve your language skills and be able to tackle the trick to find answers to questions. Set aside time each day to practice different sections of the test. It is ideal to spend time on each test module regularly. However, note that you should spend more time on difficult modules.
• Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and focus on improving them. Whether it is vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation, targeted practice can help you improve faster. Taking multiple mock tests will help you identify and fix your weak areas.
• Enlarge Your Vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and phrases. Use flashcards, vocabulary lists, and reading materials to help you learn and remember new words. Even learning synonyms or antonyms for commonly used words would help you to a great extent.
• Improve Reading Skills: The reading test is identified by most of the test takers to be the most difficult module among others. To tackle this, you need to practice reading a variety of texts, including magazines, academic articles and newspapers. You need to pay attention to the main ideas, vocabulary used in the texts and supporting details.
• Develop Listening Skills: Listen to a variety of English audio materials, such as podcasts, news broadcasts, and TED talks. Practice listening for main ideas and specific details and understanding the speaker’s attitude and opinion. Try to capture the pronunciation of words.
• Master Writing Skills: Practice writing essays, reports, and letters on a variety of topics depending on your exam version (academic or general test). Focus on organizing your ideas, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and structuring your writing effectively. Avoid using unnecessary sentences or repetitions of ideas.
• Work on Speaking Fluency: Practice speaking English regularly with friends, family members, or language partners. Focus on fluency, pronunciation, and using appropriate language for different situations. Relax while you appear for your Speaking test. You will have a friendly and approachable test-taker who will encourage you very well.
• Time Management: Practice completing each section of the test within the allotted time. Learn to pace yourself so you can complete all questions without rushing. If you tend to take more time for any specific type of question, try to attempt those after attending the easy ones so that you do not miss the easy ones. If you find it short of time, you can guess the answers. This could be mostly considered for the reading module. For the listening test, get the answers correctly; if you get confused, try to specify as many hints as possible to the question by keeping track of the next question so that you can figure out the answer while transferring the answers to the answer sheet.
• Take Practice Tests: Take full-length practice tests under exam conditions to simulate the experience of the actual test. This will help you get acquainted with the test modules, exam formats, and question types, improve your time management skills, and keep the time pressure under control.
• Review and Reflect: After completing practice tests or exercises, review your answers and identify areas where you made mistakes. Understand why you made those mistakes, work on improving those areas and figure out an easy way out.
• Stay Calm and Confident: While you appear for your IELTS exam, stay calm and confident. Remember to breathe and focus on doing your best. Trust in your preparation and skills. Worrying about your exam will not help you score well.

You may keep the above tips and tricks to improve your performance on the IELTS exam and achieve your desired score. Good luck!