1 December 2022
If you want to learn the English language and get a high score on the IELTS test, then this article is for you. The IELTS is an international English-language test that many universities use to evaluate applicants’ English fluency. Here are some helpful tips for taking the exam:
1. Get to know about the IELTS test
The IELTS test is a series of four tests that assesses your English language skills. The first three tests are Academic, which assesses your reading and writing abilities in academic texts; Listening, which assesses your ability to understand spoken English; and Writing, which tests your knowledge about grammar and usage.
The last test is the Oral exam, where you are given 30 minutes to answer questions on a topic related to the content of the exam. All four exams must be taken within one week before or after each other.
2. Set a goal
The first step to taking the IELTS test is setting a goal. This can be as simple as getting your score up by one or two points, but it’s important to set challenging but achievable goals.
Your goal should be realistic, based on what you can do in your time frame. And remember: if you don’t start with an achievable goal, then all those extra practice hours will mean nothing when it comes time for the test!
3. Talk to people
When you’re learning English, it’s important to talk to people. You will get used to the language faster if you’re speaking it all the time.
Here are some tips for talking with native speakers:
- Speak slowly and clearly. This will help your pronunciation and make sure that everyone can understand what you’re saying.
- Use idioms when possible—they can be very effective in making your sentences clearer! For example: “I’m feeling lucky today,” instead of just saying “I feel lucky.”
Similarly, avoid slang words like “literally” or “oh my god.”
4. Practice with sample questions
Sample questions are a great way to practice your IELTS speaking and writing skills because they are not any easier than the real thing. They also allow you to see if you have any gaps in your knowledge that need filling before taking the test.
Sample questions can be found online or in books about IELTS; however, it is best if you enrol in a reputed IELTS training centre so that you can get an idea of how things will actually go when it comes time for your test!
5. Watch your favourite movies in English with subtitles turned off
Watching movies in English with subtitles turned off is an excellent way to improve your IELTS listening skills. You will learn a lot about English vocabulary, how words are used in sentences and paragraphs, and how they are used in context.
Also, you will notice that there are many different types of English dialogues in movies (e.g., spoken versus written). This can help prepare you for real-life situations where you may need to communicate using both spoken and written forms of communication simultaneously.
It’s also important not just to focus on understanding what’s being said during a movie but also why it was said—and this means looking beyond the words themselves and thinking about why someone might say something at all!
6. Work on improving your listening skills by using music and television
Listening to music and watching television are two great ways to improve your listening skills. Listening to music will help you improve your pronunciation while watching television will help you understand what is being said in the video. The best way for both of these activities is with an audio recording or video file on a computer, tablet or phone that has good volume output capabilities.
7. Read books, magazines and newspapers in English
The best way to improve your IELTS scores is by reading in English. Reading books, magazines and newspapers in English will help you learn about new topics and develop your writing skills.
You should aim for at least 30 minutes of reading each day for at least 3 weeks before the test date; this will allow time for practice tests, which come later in the training process.
You can read anything that interests you: fiction or non-fiction; literary works (poetry) or articles from newspapers; novels written by well-known authors like Jane Austen or Charles Dickens; biographies such as those written by Irving Stone.
8. Take an English language course at school or at a language school
When it comes to learning English, there are many different ways you can approach the task. Some people prefer to study grammar and vocabulary in a classroom setting, while others may prefer self-study or online courses.
The most important thing is that you find something that works for you! You might find that some of the methods described below work better than others; it all depends on your learning style and what works best for your schedule.
9. Make a plan before you start writing your essay responses
It’s important to plan before you start writing your essay responses. Planning helps you focus, stay on topic and write more effectively.
Planning also helps with the following:
- Writing more quickly by getting into the habit of planning your response beforehand. This can help avoid mistakes and make it easier to complete your task in one sitting instead of spreading out over several days or weeks.
10. Find opportunities to speak English in your community or online with other learners
- Find opportunities to speak English in your community, such as:
- volunteering with a local organization that helps the community
- appearing on a local radio program or podcast.
- working at a coffee shop or restaurant where you can practice your skills with other customers (in person).
- taking part in an event that brings together people of different backgrounds and cultures, like an international festival or conference.
11. Learn how to take the IELTS test
The IELTS test is a series of three separate tests: Reading, Listening and Writing. The reading section consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and takes about an hour to complete.
The listening section contains 2 conversations between native speakers in which you are asked to respond with the appropriate vocabulary or grammar. It usually takes about 45 minutes to complete this section by yourself or 40 minutes if you have a friend or partner help you out.
The writing task involves two tasks on topics related to the general interest. This can take up to 1 hour but it’s not as difficult as other sections.
Learn more about the IELTS test format.
Conclusion
IELTS is a tricky, but rewarding test. If you follow the tips above, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful IELTS test-taker!
But never forget, practice makes a man perfect but more importantly, expertise will always help you move in the right direction. This is where experts at Landmark Immigration come to your rescue, skilled professionals with years of experience can help you ace your IELTS test. When you are in the right hands, you get the desired bands.
