Prepare for IELTS with these 9 best steps
When you learn that you must obtain a specific IELTS score to qualify for a visa or apply to a particular university, you begin to study for the exam. For many students, the months leading up to the test are a constant cycle of anxiety and preparation. Your IELTS preparation began long before you started taking English classes. Enjoy the feeling that you’ve already made significant progress toward your goals.
The IELTS is designed to measure your proficiency in written and spoken English; the best way to prepare for it is simply to work on your language skills. The problem is that it isn’t that simple. The following is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for the IELTS:
An essential part of preparing for the IELTS exam is familiarizing yourself with the test’s format and scoring procedures to maximize your performance on the test. Prepare for the test by improving your English and taking practice tests. Then register for the test to see how far you’ve come.
To alleviate some of the stress associated with studying for your exam, we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources to get you started.
9 Steps for IELTS Preparation (Step-By-Step Guide)
The 9 best steps to prepare for the IELTS exam will help you prepare for the IELTS better. Please consult the list of study aids provided by the test takers themselves. It would be best if you familiarized yourself with the format and rules of the test. Be sure to take advantage of the official free practice tests available.
Step 1: Take a mock exam
A practice test will help you identify your weaknesses and guide your preparation. An essential part of your initial preparation is figuring out your strengths and weaknesses through this exercise. In addition to strengthening your weaknesses, you should also improve your strengths to lay a solid foundation for the exam.
However, if you find it difficult to avoid these blunders or can’t identify them, you’ll need the help of an expert. Taking an IELTS preparation course is considered by many test-takers to be one of the simplest ways to prepare for the test.
Step 2: Understand the format of the test
First and foremost, you must know the test format before you begin practicing. Before taking it, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the test’s content and question and task types.
When preparing for any exam, including the IELTS, familiarity with the test pattern and format is essential.
Step 3: Be conscious of the exam time constraints.
You’ll have a better chance of finishing the test in the allotted time if you gain a better grasp of its structure. Prepare in a timed environment to help you get used to the test’s pace.
Remember that the IELTS test has a time limit, and you will only have the allotted amount of time for each section of the exam. It is difficult to focus because of time constraints, and you may not finish all of the modules.
Classes in a prep course are timed precisely like the exam, so you’re prepared for the brisk pace of the IELTS test ahead of time.
Step 4: Enhance your English language skills and IELTS preparation methods.
Students often make the error of focusing solely on the IELTS exam. Instead of working on their English, they spend their time preparing for the IELTS exam.
The majority of Indonesian IELTS test takers have no idea of their current English proficiency level, typically Intermediate or lower. As a result, your English must be flawless.
Remember that mastering the IELTS test takes time and effort. It takes, on average, 12 weeks to move up one score band.
At least three to six months before your test, begin studying for it. Seeking out a facility that can assist you with your English language acquisition and IELTS preparation is something we strongly suggest doing.
Step 5: Listen to English while doing other things.
The IELTS test is notoriously difficult, and the listening section is no exception. Throughout four recordings, you’ll be asked to answer 40 questions. Only one playback of the tapes is planned. Multiple choice, sentence completion, summary completion, and form completion are among the most common types of questions asked.
It’s normal to get sidetracked in a conversation, but you’ll miss the rest of the questions if you don’t get back on track quickly. The results would be catastrophic. As a result, it is essential to know how to keep up with a conversation even if you miss something and how to recover to answer the following questions.
When answering questions, you must also know what kind of information you should provide. Which one of these is it?
Step 6: Enhance your reading abilities by learning to read a variety of genres.
The reading module’s sole purpose is to evaluate various reading abilities. Understanding a logical argument and recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes, and goals is possible when reading for the big picture, keeping track of main points, and paying attention to specifics.
Short answers, matching information, complete sentences, matching headings, and complete diagram labels are all required of test-takers during the exam.
Make sure your practice includes a wide range of questions so that you can get used to them all.
In the reading module, time is of the essence, and you won’t have time to read the texts repeatedly. Avoiding this scenario is possible if you follow specific guidelines. Examples include skimming the text and what information you should pay attention to the most.
Step 7: When writing, use strong and appropriate English words.
In my experience, the most challenging part of this course is writing an essay. The academic training requires both tasks to be written formally.
While you may be an expert at describing and explaining data, this requires a lot of practice in English.
There are several difficulties. If you aren’t familiar with the topic, it can be challenging to develop ideas. Additional requirements include a well-structured essay.
Each task has its requirements, and you must be prepared to meet them.
To ensure that you are prepared for the test, you should use appropriate language and practice with various charts (line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, tables, and multiple data sources, processes, and diagrams).
Work on your essay structure, development, introduction, and conclusion in preparation for question types. You must be able to convey your thoughts clearly and understandably. Additionally, it would be best to familiarize yourself with the most common IELTS writing topics by rehearsing essays on them.
In an IELTS prep course, you’ll learn about the different types of essays you’ll encounter, including: Agree or Disagree, Compare and Contrast, and more. In essays, it will discuss two opposing views, advantages and disadvantages, problems and solutions, causes and effects, etc.
Step 8: Direct communication, speak with fluency or coherence.
The duration of this test is less than 15 minutes, and it’s broken into three sections. ‘ Introductions and general topics between the test taker and examiner are reserved for the first five minutes of the test. Thirdly, a task card is presented, and the test-taker is asked to respond to it. The last part is nothing more than a complication of the first. Additionally, the examiner will look at pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency during this stage.
You must prepare for the test by practicing each section under exam conditions. This will allow you to become accustomed to the stress you will experience on test day. During the second part of the exam, you will be required to speak for two minutes while taking notes.
Practicing answering questions for which you have no idea is also recommended. Your knowledge is not evaluated, but your English language proficiency is. In the lead-up to the exam, keep in mind that staying focused and patient are the keys to success.
Step 9: Spend time learning the language.
Along with your test preparation, make an effort to become as fluent in as many languages as possible. Start with English-language materials that pique your interest, such as online magazines or blogs.
Every day, write something in English, whether a diary, a blog, or an online community like a Facebook group that shares your interests.
Listen and, if possible, participate in the conversation between native speakers. Make use of the shadowing method. To do this, you must recite what has just been said in English. You’ll be able to improve your pronunciation, intonation, and stress with this.
As long as you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it’s possible to learn on your own.
Ensure you find an institution that can assist you and give you feedback if you can’t commit or don’t have a partner.
