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This blog will begin with a discussion on the IELTS syllabus as this examination focuses on checking a candidate’s language proficiency apart from his/her capacity to use English in actual situations. The exam consists of four sections, which test the listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities of candidates. Every task consists of specific themes and particular types of activities are involved with them. Examinees should gain perfect information regarding the syllabus to achieve great bands; which in turn will be crucial to fulfill their dreams of studying or residing abroad. In order to gain admission in highly reputed universities, or for gaining PR in English-speaking nations, candidates ought to try to achieve 8 bands and emerge as expert users. Apart from this, highly certified and dedicated trainers of WayUP Abroad Consultants are always ready to support the candidates.
As discussed above, the IELTS syllabus consists of four sections and a candidate has to excel in all of them to gain great bands in this exam. Whereas the listening and the speaking sections are the same for both Academic and General Training Candidates, there is a slight difference in reading and writing sections for both sorts of test takers. Now, we are going to explore all the sections separately in this blog.
The listening section in IELTS comprises of 40 questions which are spread in four sections. Whereas the first and second sections are based upon social conditions, once we move on to the third and fourth ones; we enter academic territory. Moreover, both monologues and dialogues are part of these conversations. The candidates can hear the conversation only once and then they have to start writing or typing the answers. The audio section comprises of 30 minutes but once the audio is over, the CBT (computer-based test) aspirants are given two extra minutes to check their answers whereas the PBT (paper-based test) aspirants are given ten extra minutes to write down their answers on the answer sheet. Different sorts of questions that we can expect in this exam consist of multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, maps, and note completion among others.
The listening section has different themes and we are going to discuss them now:
It’s important to understand five major accents of native English speakers who are British, Americans, Australians, Canadians and speakers from New Zealand. Further, by focusing on connectors and by following a conversation thoroughly, proper conclusions can be drawn.
We move on to the speaking section of IELTS which is organised as an interview to check the candidate’s general speaking proficiency. Further, this section is arranged across three parts which include a personal interview, a speech (cue card) and discussion.
Speaking Section 1 - Introduction and Interview
The first section constitutes of normal questions about a candidate’s background, education, profession, hometown and interests among others. Further, this task is 4-5 minutes long.
Speaking Section 2 - Long Turn
This section is 2-3 minutes long and the examinee is provided a card with a topic on it and he/she needs to speak on it for 2 minutes. The candidate is given one minute in between to make some points regarding the same.
Speaking Section 3 - Discussion
This section continues for 5-6 minutes and some detailed questions are asked here. Furthermore, candidate is asked questions regarding his/her opinion on a specific situation or topic. The answers in part three should be a bit lengthier than those in part 1.
Some of the prominent issues necessary to succeed in the speaking section include fluency, proper grammar, vocabulary and excellent pronunciation. It’s advisable to practice with certified tutors before going for the actual exam and in case of such guidance, candidates can always consult trainers at WayUp Abroad Consultants.
In complete contrast to the listening and speaking sections, the IELTS writing section is a bit different for both Academic and General Training exams.
As far as the IELTS Academic section matters, it contains two major tasks. IELTS writing, however, doesn’t have any specific syllabus and it's important to be aware of trending issues, geopolitics, and current news. It’s also important to read magazines and newspapers to update one’s knowledge.
Task 1 Academic Writing - Candidates will be provided a table, graph, diagram, pie chart or any other sort of image and they need to write a report regarding them. While summarizing them, they are required to present specific details regarding the same.
Task 1 General Training Writing - Test takers are required to write a letter regarding any situation in front of them. These letters constitute formal, semi-formal or informal documents. Whereas the formal letter is written to strangers sitting in administrative positions, the informal one is written to people with whom we share a professional or social relation. On the other hand, the informal letter is written to friends and family members.
Task 2 - Essay for both Academic and General Writing - This section consists of an essay that has to be written regarding any specific perspective, argument or issue. The essay is the same for both academic and general writing and various topics it can cover include science, technology, arts, commerce, politics, business, economics, nuclear energy, and medicine among others. One needs to thoroughly research and write the essay apart from giving relevant examples.
In order to succeed in the IELTS writing section, one has to understand the data, graphs, and diagrams apart from summarizing information. Further, it's important to balance viewpoints and study different current topics, and be up to date on geopolitical issues apart from reading articles from newspapers and journals.
The reading section too constitutes of a different course syllabus for both the academic and general IELTS. Although, both sorts of exams constitute of three lengthy passages, but the context they showcase is quite different which depends on the version of the IELTS exam they belong to.
As far as skills needed to succeed in the reading section of IELTS matter, aspirants need to skim, scan the content and paragraphs, mark keywords and understand the overall context. Further, it’s important to strengthen the vocabulary in order to excel in this examination.
Candidates need to give their best in order to succeed in the IELTS exam and try to get more than 8 bands in order to study in their dream universities or migrate to their favorite destinations. As a result, its important to understand different strategies to do well in this examination and experts from WayUp Abroad Consultants have listed some tips and tricks related to the same.
Proper strategies to succeed in the IELTS Listening Section
Proper strategies to succeed in the IELTS Reading Section
Proper strategies to succeed in the IELTS Writing Section
Proper strategies to succeed in the IELTS Speaking Section
Now that we have provided thorough details regarding IELTS, it should be crystal clear to candidates that there is no specific syllabus in this examination as it’s not an academic subject. In such a scenario, it’s advisable to candidates to take support from certified instructors at WayUp Abroad Consultants in order to resolve their queries. Further, these trainers can also offer proper guidance via classes, provide highly researched study materials and train aspirants to attain perfection in the examination.