If you plan to study or work in English-speaking countries, the IELTS exam is an important step for you since it helps to show the level of language. Thus, a certificate can help when applying for a job or entering a university.
The IELTS exam consists of different parts, including Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, which allows for evaluating language skills from different aspects. Passing the exam creates a comprehensible picture of language knowledge and mastering, this is why the certificate is valuable. In the article, we’re going to discuss how to study for the IELTS exam to pass it with flying colors.
Nowadays, learning English is much simpler. Students can easily pass the exam without notorious study and long experience of deep learning. Due to innovative educational approaches and advanced tools implemented in education, especially in English-speaking schools such as IB schools in Moscow, the process is more easy and quick. The meaning of IB schools is that they are types of schools where education is conducted fully in English. Teaching all language aspects in English allows for speeding up the process of overcoming the language barrier and improving the pace of information memorization and perception.
Why is IELTS Preparation Important?
Preparation plays a key role in increasing the chance of successful passing of the exam. A thoroughly developed preparation process can impact test performance, increase confidence, and improve your chances of meeting university or immigration requirements.
Preparation helps get familiar with the exam format and realize time frames. A deep understanding of the exam structure reduces stress and nervousness since students know the sequence of sections and the time frames left for each aspect. Without preparation, test-takers may struggle with time constraints and task formats.
How to Prepare for the IELTS Listening Section?
The Listening section is aimed at evaluating how well students can perceive colloquial speech and manage to understand words in a consistent flow of speech. Applicants should listen to the speech, after which they are asked to answer some questions about the topic. If you wonder how to learn IELTS English for this section, keep in mind the following tips and make sure to apply them to your practice of listening skills:
- Listening to podcasts. Listening to at least one podcast a day. Implement this approach regularly to make sure your ears perceive English speech without hindrance.
- Watching English-speaking movies and shows. If you have enough time, watch longer videos, such as shows or movies, where speech is natural.
- Using IELTS-specific listening practice tests. There are special practice tests provided by the exam organizer. They are aimed at preparing students for the exam.
Make sure to listen to multiple speakers from different countries since English speakers have numerous accents. By listening to different speakers, you can get familiar with different accents and be ready for any audio recording during the test.
You should also focus on improving note-taking skills to manage to record all the needed information during listening.
How to Prepare for the IELTS Reading Section?
Reading is the next aspect assessed during the exam. When you learn how to prepare for the IELTS test, you should give preference to IELTS Reading practice tests to familiarize yourself with question types. The materials provided by the exam organizer are similar to real exam tests, which means that students won’t be surprised by a new kind of text.
When practicing reading skills, it’s important to manage time to make sure that you have enough time for both reading and completing tasks. To improve reading skills, scanning and skimming techniques are useful. Students should master skim reading to manage to catch the most valuable information from texts without wasting time on each word.
How to Prepare for the IELTS Writing Section?
Writing is another aspect evaluated during the exam since students should be literate. To assess writing skills, students should pass two tasks, namely Task 1 (describing graphs and charts) and Task 2 (argumentative essays). Here, they should remember the following tips:
- Train under timed conditions. All tasks provided during the exam have time frames. Thus, being punctual and the ability to manage to complete the task within the set time frame is an important skill.
- Review common writing mistakes. Make reviews of your spelling and grammar to detect common mistakes and work on eliminating them.
- Learn new words to enrich vocabulary. Study new words regularly and make sure that you have enough vocabulary to support conversation on any topic.
- Do not forget about grammar. Evaluating grammar is one of the main tasks of the writing section. Students’ tests should not contain grammar mistakes.
How to Prepare for the IELTS Speaking Section?
Speaking is the last stage of the exam. If you want to learn how to study for IELTS exam in this regard, keep in mind the next tips:
- Practice speaking with a tutor or a partner. Find a person who speaks English well to ask him/her to practice this skill with you.
- Record and listen to your responses. Listening to your responses helps eliminate mistakes.
- Expand vocabulary. Enrich your vocabulary to make your speech more fluent and coherent.
- Study common IELTS Speaking topics. Hobbies, education, future goals, etc. are the most popular topics. Thus, by training speaking on these topics you can increase the probability of predicting an exam topic. Moreover, this strategy can help reduce anxiety during the actual test.
General IELTS Preparation Tips
Finally, let’s discuss effective tips about how to prepare for the IELTS exam. Thorough preparation should include the following steps:
- Create a study plan. Before you proceed to prepare for the exam, make sure to develop a step-by-step plan with a precise schedule to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Set aside dedicated time each day. Leave several hours a day for study and practice.
- Use IELTS preparation books. Students can find a lot of materials online. They help improve the efficiency of preparation.
- Attend prep courses. It’s a good idea to ensure 100% effectiveness since professional tutors know how to prepare students and improve their chances for successful pass.
- Utilize online resources like practice tests. Visit specialized portals that provide practice materials for practicing theory and mastering new skills.
Note that consistency and regular review are essential steps to avoid similar mistakes and develop an effective process.
Now, you know how to practice for the IELTS exam. Remember that consistent practice is the key to a successful end. Each part of the test requires different types of skills, so you should learn how to blend them correctly. Finally, make sure to start preparing well in advance to have enough time to improve all skills and stay motivated throughout the process.
