IELTS refers to the International English Learning Testing Service. It is a test whose scores are required for around 12,000 international universities globally. It assists students in working, studying, or immigrating abroad to any English-speaking Country.
It is a mechanism that grades your English language skills based on four key domains, including speaking, writing, listening, and reading. The IELTS test band score is between 0 and 9; a score of 7 is considered an average score and is mainly accepted by universities worldwide, while a score lower than 7 is regarded as a low score and is not widely accepted.
It is commonly assumed that IELTS preparation requires months of sitting and reading and exhausting yourself. On the contrary, it involves following and applying specific tips and IELTS techniques that will assist you on this journey and save you precious time by studying and practising smartly.
We have compiled a list of approved tips and IELTS preparation strategies that will help you fetch good marks in each section of the test and boost your overall test band.
Problems faced by students
One of the primary concerns of students is how to achieve good scores on their first attempt, it could get quite challenging to score well in all sections of the test, which is why people tend to get different scores in different sections, hence affecting their overall score band.
Tips and Techniques to Boost Your Score
Some practical tips and IELTS preparation strategies to boost your score are:
- Practice reading daily: The IELTS reading test demands you to read extracts from different sources, i.e. books, magazines, newspapers, and handbooks. The reading test constitutes 3 parts. IELTS is the kind of test that requires quick decision-making and a quick understanding of what the test demands. To fetch good marks on the reading test, practice reading daily to help you comprehend and analyze topics quickly.
- Enhance your vocabulary: IELTS is an international testing service, where thousands of people apply daily, to boost your marks, enhancing your vocabulary is the key. Convince the test conductor that your English speaking and writing skills are not elementary. Avoid repeating the exact words; instead try to use different synonyms and antonyms of words.
- Improve your listening skills: The listening test is based on 40 questions, and students are required to complete it within 30 minutes. The listening test is a major stage of the test that is based on 2 steps. It showcases your listening ability and how attentive you are. Hence, practising listening beforehand is crucial, so try listening to different useful podcasts that might help you during the actual test.
- Answering questions effectively: There are some questions in the test that require you to respond with a simple yes or a no, but try adding a bit more details and descriptions in your answer to leave a better image with the tester.
- Speak clearly: Try not to stutter while answering questions, as it leaves a destructive impact on your overall test score. Try to clear your head, relax, and practice speaking in front of the mirror before the actual speaking test.
- Improve writing speed and enhance your writing skills: The IELTS writing test consists of two stages, to be completed in 90 minutes. Therefore, Practice writing rigorously before the actual test. This would help you in answering the questions within the required timeframe without any problem.
- Read the instructions carefully: Most candidates miss out on the essential instructions of the test and end up doing the opposite of what was demanded. Therefore, before proceeding with the test, read the instructions for the test thoroughly and then attempt the test according to those instructions. Most candidates fail to fully comprehend what the test demands and end up scoring low on the test.
- Attempting mock tests of IELTS: Before appearing for the official exam, try to solve at least one mock exam that covers all the sections. This will help you to understand the test dynamics and get familiar with the test day environment. These tests will help you prepare to tackle any topic that comes your way on the original test.
- Leaving ample time to review your answers: At the end, try to manage your time and leave some time to review your answers to make sure you have not made any major errors. Cross-checking is a significant part of submitting the test.
Conclusion
To sum up, IELTS can be a nerve-wracking test, By following these IELTS preparation techniques and tips, one can surely boost their score. However, commitment and hard work go hand in hand. IELTS is a test that requires commitment and rigorous practice. Allocate your time effectively to practice for each section of the test and get your desired grades for IELTS.