Tag Archives: how to prepare for ielts exam at home

As part of their application for study abroad, international students often have to budget additional time for test preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, etc). International students who are non-native speakers of the English language are usually required to provide proof of their English language abilities before they are granted admission into a US college or university.

About IELTS and How to Pass the Test

IELTS offers a fair, accurate, and dependable measure of language skills, and is relied on by organizations globally as evidence of English proficiency. Since 1989, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has been a global standardized English test designed to measure the English language proficiency of people who plan to study or work where the English language is the means of communication.

IELTS is mutually owned by a global alliance of education and language specialists – the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. Cambridge is in charge of IELTS test development because of their world-renowned language and research proficiency. British Council and IDP are in charge of IELTS test delivery all over the world due to their collective security and examination expertise.

If you’re applying to school at an institution that needs your English language proficiency proof, get more information on if the IELTS is the right test for you.

Details on Taking the IELTS – Test Preparation

What can I expect with the test?

IELTS is a paper-and-pencil test that comprises 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, and comprises a live, face-to-face speaking interview with a qualified and trained examiner. This gives room for a more accurate measure of a speaker’s English proficiency and real-world communication capabilities.

As a test of English language as an “international” language, IELTS makes use of all standard variations of English language — American, British, and Australian, and comprises different question task types (for instance, matching plan/map/diagram labeling, short-answer, multiple-choice, etc.). This is to make sure the test is relevant and impartial to test takers irrespective of cultural background or where they learned English.

What institutions accept IELTS?

Over 9,000 establishments in 140 nations all over the world accept IELTS. Last year, more than 2.9 million IELTS tests were sat for, making it the world’s most widespread high-stakes English language proficiency test for work, study, and migration intents.

Which IELTS test should I take?

There are two IELTS tests to select from — General Training and Academic. IELTS Academic is taken for higher education and professional qualifications. IELTS General Training is taken for work or migration intents. The Listening and Speaking segments of IELTS are the same for both General Training and Academic, however, test takers write different Reading and Writing segments, contingent on the test they select.

The Academic Reading comprises real texts from journals, books, newspapers, etc., while the General Training Reading comprises real texts from official documents, company handbooks, newspapers, books, etc. The variances between the Academic Writing and General Training Writing are in the nature, content, and background parameters of the tasks.

Is it difficult to prepare for the IELTS exam?

IELTS is a comprehensive language test that measures a range of language abilities. You need to have a general level of English to complete it, but preparing for the test requires investing a lot of your time. Be sure to review all of the extensive free resources available. The more you prepare, the easier it is to demonstrate your English language skills.

How to Prepare and Pass IELTS test.

The best way to prepare for the IELTS test is to use your English skills every day using every opportunity you can to speak English. Speak to your friends in English, write notes in English, read English textbooks, listen to the radio or TV in English, and read in English. Avoid waiting until the day or the week before the test and start practicing now. Doing some of these practical preparation for IELTS is a great way to prepare. The highest IELTS score is 9 and the lowest is 1, each score is a reflection of different levels of English users. There is a 0 score as well (“did not attempt”).

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a testing system that grades your English language skills based on four key aspects of communication: speaking, writing, reading and listening.

International students and immigrants who want to study or move to an English speaking country are often required to take the IELTS exam to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. In 2018 about 3 million people sat for the IELTS and majority of them were students and immigrants moving to the UK, Australia and Canada. The examination is valid for 2 years and score ranges from 0 to 9.

The IELTS exam requires proper and adequate preparation to obtain a high score. In this wonderful post article, you will learn 10 practical tips to better prepare for IELTS exam.

10 Practical Tips to better Preparation for IELTS Exam

1. Practice based on test format.

One pitfall you must avoid as not getting familiar with the test format.

There are two versions of IELTS,

• IELTS academics and
• IELTS general training.

The listening and speaking components are the same for both tests, but the reading and the writing components are different. With the Information for Candidates booklet which provides essential information about how to respond correctly to each part of the test. Get to know what each level on the IELTS band score table means. Understand what the examiners are looking for in the speaking and writing test by reading the assessment criteria, get the facts. Don’t believe myths and rumors about tests, they will only distract you.

2. Work on your vocabulary.

You must read deliberately to understand words and their usage as a function and sentences and also in social context. Read vigorously from newspapers, novels to online articles from reputable media outlets. This will help you develop your vocabulary and give you a wide array of words in the English language.

3. Early registration

It may not be a popular opinion, but one of the ways to do it better in IELTS examination is to register early.

Early registration gives you room for proper planning and preparation. You have less anxiety and pressure while studying. One of the major reasons people fail or don’t meet up the expected score in their IELTS examination is because the register late and don’t have enough time to prepare. No one excels in an examination by accident. If you register early, you have enough time to plan, prepare and excel

4. Create a study schedule

Everyone have their studies schedule, the moment of the date where they assimilate effortlessly.

To some, it might be at the middle of the night when serenity reigns. To others, it might be when they visit the library and settle in the cubicle. Fitting your study time into your study zone will help you study comfortably.

5. Listen to radio and TV programs by native speakers

It’s one thing to watch TV or listen to radio to be entertained. It’s another thing to do so with the intent to learn. Listen to radio and TV programs featuring native speakers to build your vocabulary and understand words in your usage.

Listening to programs like on BBC or CNN will help you practice for your IELTS examination.

6. Use the dictionary effectively

The dictionary is today a decoration in most homes, but it’s the easiest tool to build your vocabulary. You don’t even need to have a hard copy dictionary. A dictionary app on your phone is the way to go. In fact, if you don’t have a dictionary app on your phone right now, head over to App Store and download one.

It will help you a great deal in preparing for your IELTS exam.

7. Study Sample Questions

IELTS exam can be tough if you’re not well prepared. For a better chance at acing the exam, you have to practice sample questions. Practice the test using free IELTS test sample questions. You can also use the official IELTS practice materials which you can purchase online or from your local test center. This sample questions will not only help you prepare adequately, you also get to measure how much you have learned and how well you’re likely to perform in the exam.

In addition to practice and sample questions, also consider taking an IELTS preparation course. A preparation course will help you practice the type of task included in an IELTS test. For example, a short essay or letter for the writing test. Get feedback on your answers to practice questions, become more confident in your test taking skills and help you decide if you’re ready to take your IELTS test.

8. Read in different formats

Reading in preparation for IELTS can become tedious and boring and you may switch off if you’re constantly reading textbooks.

Why not expand your reading to text you’re genuinely interested in. Magazines, newspapers and books are all valuable resources and the more interested you are in the topic, the more likely you are to remember what you read.

9. Watch Videos with original Subtitle

There are millions of videos on YouTube and around the Web from native English speakers with subtitles. Watch those videos to practice reading and listening skills. You can download movie scripts easily online and read the subtitle as you watch.

This is particularly useful if you don’t have a speaking partner and makes a nice change to boring textbooks but don’t rely on the caption feature on YouTube videos

10. Play word Games.

You don’t have to go out and buy a board game like Scrabble, although you could. There are a number of online word game resources that can help you improve your vocabulary. If you are taking a study break then don’t waste it on a gossip website or instant messaging. Instead, play a few word games and make the most of your time to prepare for the exam.

The key to acing any exam is to understand and prepare within the scope of the exam. Use the tips in this post article to get ready to excel. Have you sat for the IELTS exam in the past? What are the tips on preparing for the IELTS exam? Would you like to share? Let us know in the comments section below.