IELTS is one of the most popular internationally recognized English exams in the world today. The acronym IELTS is short for International English Language Testing System. It is a high-stakes exam you are unlikely to pass unless you prepare. In this piece, you will learn how to prepare for the IELTS.
How to prepare for the IELTS exam
The primary goal of the IELTS examination is to prove that you meet international English standards even if you are not a native speaker. Below are some essential IELTS exam tips to help you increase your chances of winning.
- Learn about the exam
The first thing you want to do when you start considering IELTS is learning how it works. The exam is divided into writing, speaking, reading, and listening categories. Each question is unique and designed to test a specific skill you need to qualify as a native English speaker.
You will be graded on a band scale of 1 to 9 for each test section. The number you aim for will depend on your purpose for writing the exam. However, the closer to 9 you get, the better.
- Choose a type of IELTS
There are two basic types of IELTS available; academic and general training. IELTS general training preparation is different from academic training. If you are a foreign national, who intends to study in an English-speaking country, opt for the academic IELTS exams. However, if you want to migrate and work in a native-English speaking country, the general training IELTS study materials are enough.
- Go back to the basics of the English Language
While IELTS is an advanced exam but you still need to understand the fundamentals of the English Language to pass it. If you are not a native speaker, you will be shocked to learn that some of your core uses of grammar and vocabulary are wrong. With the right study plan for IELTS, you can move from primary to advanced English within a few months.
- Invest in IELTS study materials
Learning general English alone is not enough. You also need to invest in IELTS-specific study materials. Every year, new study guide editions are released with the latest updates and past questions. Creating your study plan with these materials will reduce the IELTS preparation time.
- Create a customized study plan
The IELTS isn’t a traditional school exam, so you are not working with a time crunch. This means you can create enough time for studying and only schedule the exam when ready. Set aside one to two hours a day, at least four days a week, to study IELTS materials. Reading all the IELTS exam tips in the world will not do you any good if you do not dedicate time to reading.
- Set some money aside
Taking the IELTS exam is expensive, so set some money aside. The registration process costs money but that’s not all you will spend. You will also need to spend on materials and prep classes. Do not rush to register if you can’t afford everything you need. You may have enough money for the registration but without the materials, you may not have enough to study with ahead of the exam.
- Take the practice test
The best way to test your knowledge is through a test. When you complete your IELTS general preparation, take the practice test. Try as much as possible to improve your speed with the practice test. If possible, take different practice tests from different providers.
- Do not be afraid to try again
Irrespective of your best efforts, there is a possibility that you may fail the exams or your score may not be high enough for what you want. If this happens, do not hesitate to try again. Learn from your mistakes and dedicate more time to learning more IELTS exam tips
Conclusion
When you feel competent, enroll for the exams online and pick a center close to your location. Implementing the IELTS study tips above should help you complete the exams successfully.