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How to Prepare for IELTS Exam for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking Sections

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Overview

In this blog we are going to discuss about IELTS exam and various exceptional strategies will be shared regarding the same. It is a tough decision for individuals to study abroad or try to settle down there and they need to overcome various obstacles in this respect.

IELTS is one of them as this test needs to be undertaken to prove English language proficiency for non-native speakers. Getting a good band score in it guarantees admission to top-notch universities globally and eases the immigration process too.  

Structural Breakdown of the IELTS Exam

IELTS reputation has been highly enhanced with the passage of time and as discussed above, it is used for academic and settlement purposes, mostly in English-speaking countries. We will now check the four aspects on which candidates will be tested.

  • Listening - 30 minutes: This module has 40 questions which range from maps, fill in the blanks, sentence completion, etc.
  • Reading - 60 minutes: This section also includes 40 questions which constitute of matching headings, true, false, and not given sections; apart from fill-in-the-blanks and multiple choice questions.
  • Writing - 60 minutes: It includes two tasks which include a report/letter and an essay. Here, we have to write overall at least 400 words.
  • Speaking - 11-14 minutes: An interview that constitutes of a discussion, cue cards, and some questions associated with them.

Most of the time a candidate has to give three modules - writing, listening, and reading in one day and the speaking section on another day. Let’s now try to comprehend another factor such as score criteria for this exam.

Criteria for IELTS Band Score

With respect to IELTS listening and reading, candidates have to answer 40 questions for both modules. These sections don’t suffer from negative marking and candidates get a mark for each right answer.

In the speaking module, grammar, pronunciation, good vocabulary, and fluent communication are some features that boost the scorecard. 

As we discuss the writing section, scores are provided on account of proper research, achieving the requirements presented by the question, grammar, and complex vocabulary.

Band Score Skill Level
9 Expert
8 Very Good
7 Good
6 Competent
5 Modest
4 Limited
3 Extremely Limited
2 Intermittent
1 Non-user
0 Did not attempt

Once we have finished the criteria part, we will describe strategies to prepare for different modules in IELTS.
Read Also - IELTS Band Scores: How They are Calculated

How to Prepare for the IELTS Writing Test?

As we discuss IELTS writing, it will be pertinent to explain some major features of this module. Necessary parameters include lexical resources/vocabulary, grammar, coherence and cohesion, and task achievement.

The writing section has two tasks and task 1 is separate for academic and general training. Task 1 Academic presents images, maps, bar graphs, etc. on which we need to write a report while General Training (GT) task 1 displays a letter that we need to write.

In task 2 we need to write an essay and this holds true for both IELTS Academic and GT.

Now we will discuss some strategies that will be essential to succeed in the writing module.

  • Structure the paragraphs in a manner that makes the content attractive to the reader.
  • Utilize different sorts of vocabulary to entice readers.
  • It’s highly pertinent to take care of spelling.
  • Use thorough research in order to make the essays, letters, and reports interesting.
  • Your thoughts should be structured in a comprehensive manner.
  • It’s significant to keep the pattern in mind while writing.
  • Provide examples and take care of the right sequence.
  • Read newspapers, journals, magazines, etc. to keep abreast of current trends and enhance knowledge.
  • Practice various sorts of letters, reports, and essays to gain perfection in them.

With the writing section settled, the blog will now explore the listening module of the IELTS Exam.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Listening Test?

The listening section of IELTS depends on candidates understanding different accents and their ability to catch the answer. This module has 40 questions and candidates need to answer maximum to gain great bands. Further, this module doesn’t include any kind of negative marking.

The listening test has four parts:

1. The first part includes a discussion among two individuals on a general topic.
2. As we move onwards to the second part, we can witness a monologue here.
3. An academic discussion among four people is the backbone of the third recording.
4. The fourth recording also has a monologue on an academic subject.

We will now undertake the process of describing some strategies related to conquering the listening module.

  • Listening to the audio and writing the answers simultaneously is something candidates need to practice beforehand.
  • Focus on important words, connectors, and synonyms to find the answers. 
  • Understand the overall context instead of clinging to each word.
  • Try to understand the accent and tone of native speakers of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 
  • The audio will not be repeated so you have to catch the answers in the first attempt.

Now that the IELTS listening part has been comprehended, we will understand tips and tricks related to triumph in the speaking module.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Speaking Test?

The speaking section’s role is to evaluate the fluency of non-native speakers apart from their proficiency of the English language. Candidates have to undergo a face-to-face interview in this regard. 

In front of us, three parts of IELTS speaking are being displayed now:

1. Part 1 is the section where we begin with the introduction, and that is followed by some general topics.
2. In part 2, we witness a cue card where the candidate is required to present his/her ideas on a topic for 2 minutes.
3. Part 3 consists of a discussion between the examiner and the examinee where some follow-up questions are presented.

Let’s discuss some major points required to prepare and succeed in the speaking section:

  • Aspirants should never try to copy the accents or dialects of native speakers as it’s important to be original.
  • Try to speak at least 2 or 3 sentences for each answer instead of just one.
  • Try not to hesitate or fumble during the interview.
  • Avoid highly complex vocabulary if it affects the flow of communication
  • Pay attention to the question and give meaningful answers. 
  • Maintain calmness and composure so that the interview goes in a smooth manner.
  • Take care of the grammar part also as it plays a huge role in sentence formation.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Reading Test?

We will now comprehend the IELTS reading test and the evaluation process connected with it. An interesting point of this module is that no marks are deducted here on account of mistakes.

As far as the IELTS academic test is concerned, it includes three long texts on topics related to academics. These texts are taken from different academic sources and segments of print media.

We will now explore the IELTS general exam:

1. 1st section - It has some short texts, related to social contexts in an English-speaking environment.
2. 2nd section - This section has two short texts, that are relevant within a professional setting.
3. 3rd section - A lengthy text forms this section and it is connected with a general topic. This topic in turn is taken from sources of print and digital media.

We will now oversee some important strategies to counter the IELTS reading in a perfect manner:

  • Proper skimming of the text is important to get the gist of the content.
  • Scan the content thoroughly to grab answers and information.
  • It’s important to undertake a thorough reading of the document in order to evaluate it.
  • Check and counter-check spellings while writing answers.
  • Read questions first and mark keywords to catch your answers from the paragraph.
  • Read newspapers, journals, and academic information to develop a habit of reading long paragraphs.

In the end, we hope candidates have comprehended different strategies to succeed in IELTS after going through this write-up. However, consistent practice is highly necessary in this regard. Apart from this, if the strategies outlined in this blog are adhered to, they can help aspirants avail an 8 band score in IELTS.

FAQ

Q.1. How is a good score in the IELTS examination determined?

The best score is band 9 which expresses the fact that a candidate is an expert. Nevertheless, band 6-9 is considered good for academic candidates whereas general training candidates require 8,7,7,7 as per Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking modules for immigration purposes.

Q.2. How many attempts can an aspirant give in IELTS?

There are no criteria as far as number of attempts in IELTS is concerned. As a result, aspirants can retake until they get their desired band score.

Q.3. Can we retake a single module in IELTS if our scores in that are not as per our expectations?

As far as new guidelines reveal, individuals can retake a single IELTS section comprising of Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking in case they are not satisfied with their score.

Q.4. Can we prepare for IELTS within 10-15 days?

It’s not easy to be ready for this competitive test within such a short period. You will require professional support and should connect with certified trainers of WayUp Abroad Consultants for proper guidance.

Q.5. Can individuals score 8 bands or above in IELTS?

An old saying claims that nothing is impossible if an individual decides to conquer all sorts of adversities. Thorough guidance, dedication, strategies, and hard work are some factors that can help a candidate to score 8 bands or even more than that in IELTS.

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