The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized test that most students with the intentions of studying abroad must complete. It’s based on four parts; writing, reading, listening and speaking. Studying for the test can be hard since there are lots of different resources to choose from, so here are some quick tips to help improve your IELTS scores!
Testing Strategy
A great first step is to get used to the structure of the test. Learn the question types for each section to help you manage your time wisely. Practice reading questions carefully as this will ensure that there aren’t any unnecessary errors. All the details of the test format is on ielts.org, and there are lots of free online resources that allow students to do practice tests.
Listening
There are four audio tests in this section that progress in difficulty. Each test consists of different speakers on a variety of subjects. There are no repeats on the audio, so paying close attention is really important.
When studying, it’s tempting to pause the recording and repeat it. However, the best course of action is to listen carefully through the whole tape to get used to the flow of the speaker. Developing active listening skills will not only prepare you for the IELTS, but also help with day-to-day conversations when you’re abroad.
Be prepared for different english accents varying from North American, United Kingdom, and Southern Hemisphere pronunciations. Listening to audiobooks narrated in different accents is a fun way to practice your listening skills while enjoying a story. Also try watching your favourite show dubbed in English!
Mimic the testing environment by doing the practice tests in a timely manner. Writing your answers on the question sheet before transferring them to the answer sheet gives you the opportunity to keep up with the pace of the test. Ten minutes are given at the end of the listening test to copy over your answers, and don’t forget that spelling counts!
Reading
The second part of the IELTS focuses on reading comprehension. The structure of this section is simple; 60 minutes are given to read three passages and answer 40 questions relating to the texts.
As the passages are usually taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers, reading these forms of writing is great for practice. Read as many English texts as you can, and try to improve your reading speed as this will help you read the test questions faster as well.
Highlight unfamiliar vocabulary, phrases and idioms. Learn the meanings, then apply the new knowledge by using it in a sentence. This will also help with the writing and speaking tests. While reading texts, also mark key information and think about the 5 Ws; Who, What, Where, What, and Why.
Scan the questions prior to reading the text so that you know what answers to look for. However, be careful! Looking for keywords does not necessarily give you the answer. It’s important to understand the text as a whole as the questions can be misleading at times.
Writing
One hour is given to complete two questions. It’s divided into four grading criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. There is a penalty if the minimum word count is not achieved. That being said, it’s about quality not quantity. It’s better to write efficiently and effectively than to ramble on; focus on answering the question.
Do as many writing practice tests as possible. Get feedback on your work, and understand where the common mistakes lie. Avoid direct word-for-word translation by learning to paraphrase the text and remember to structure paragraphs well. And finally, get in the habit of using only formal writing as this will also become an important aspect of university assignments.
Use the terms learned during reading practice and apply them to your writing. The larger your vocabulary, the easier it is to get your point across and answer the questions cohesively. Since Task 1 requires test takers to analyze and describe facts and figures presented in charts and graphs, familiarizing yourself with useful terms to describe and assess information is helpful.
Speaking
The speaking portion of the IELTS is an 11-14 minute interview consisting of general questions about yourself, a specific topic, and then further discussion on the topic. It can often feel like one of the most intimidating aspects of the test as it requires a certain sense of confidence.
Try mimicking English sentences you hear on TV, record yourself and listen for pronunciation errors, then try again. Practicing with a friend or someone you can feel comfortable with is also a great place to start.
Learn to talk about yourself without memorizing answers as the conversation should flow naturally. Don’t worry about the topic answer as you’re being tested on how you communicate rather than general knowledge.
Learn to elaborate on answers. Instead of answering simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’ add reasoning and give examples.Take this as an opportunity to show off your vocabulary by making your sentences longer and more descriptive.
Don’t forget to also pace yourself and speak at an even pace with an appropriate amount of emotion; robotic memorized answers are easy to pick apart.
Bottom Line
Though the test might seem daunting, its purpose is simply to make sure that your English skills are at an appropriate level for studying in English. Developing confidence in these language skills is important since you’ll be using them regularly in your international education.
Aside from formal study, integrating English into your day to day life through music, social media, and entertainment will help you become acquainted and comfortable without feeling the constant pressure of the test. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and dedicate your time accordingly!