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Many universities in English-speaking countries and sometimes non-English nations require students from around the world to apply to study abroad to take the IELTS exam to prove their understanding of the language before they are offered admission or granted scholarships.
IELTS is an acronym for the International English Language Testing System. It was created to grade the English language proficiency of applicants, especially from developing or underdeveloped nations. The grading criteria are based on four key aspects: speaking, writing, reading, and listening.
This particular entrance examination has posed a stumbling block to candidates applying for student visas because failing means one does not get approval to study in the desired country in Europe, America, and other developed parts of the world. If you fail it once, you will have to apply to take another IELTS during the next cycle.
If the first paragraph of this article did not adequately convey the importance of this exam, taking the IELTS is a must for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD students pursuing their studies overseas in a country where English is the primary language of communication.
To help you overcome this hurdle, which is very challenging for many, we have outlined these eight essential tips that will increase your probability of passing the exam in one sitting.
1. Study Vocabulary
As an English learner, you should try to put words in the proper context. You can learn to do this by reading frequently. The more words you are exposed to, the better your vocabulary will be.
A study tip that can help you grasp and memorize words quickly is to underline the ones you do not know or highlight them with a marker. You should try to figure out their meanings from the supporting context. Frequently using new words you just learned will help you learn to speak English fluently. Based on academic research, for a word to become part of your vocabulary, you will have to use it repeatedly, as much as 10 to 20 times a day.
Things To Note While Studying
Ensure you record expressions that can be used in various academic contexts.
Try to record more phrases rather than individual words.
A good monolingual dictionary can assist you with knowing proper word arrangement.
Don’t focus so much on learning complex or specialized words.
Use newspapers, magazines, and news websites to acquire more knowledge.
2. Read Consistently
The need to read always cannot be overemphasized enough as this will equip you with a cache of words you need to communicate effectively. If you are preparing to sit for this exam, having a credible English dictionary will come in handy for you to learn the meanings of new words.
3. Improve writing skills
Writing is as important in language as speaking, so as you train yourself to speak English proficiently, you should also develop your writing skills. Compose both the definition of a word and utilize it in a sentence, then save your exercise in the document that you can check later for reference. You can also try resounding the word to initiate your sound-related memory.
Writing Improvement Guide
Practice timed writing to improve your speed.
Analyze the question carefully.
Make a paragraph plan before you write.
Know your common mistakes and check for them.
4. Practice Fluency and Pronunciation
During the IELTS, there is a speaking component divided into three parts: a structured interview, a short talk, and a free interview. The examiner/interviewer will ask you about 2 to 3 brief concerns on familiar topics that will last 4 to 5 minutes.
Prepare yourself for a two-minute talk in the brief talk section. Applicants will be given one minute to prepare for the discussion, which will take 3 to 4 minutes.
Be consistent with your practice, and you will ace this part. When you use a new word or a correct pronunciation, you reinforce the practice of what you have learned, imprinting it in your mind.
How To Master Fluency
Practice talking for a considerably long time.
Talk aloud in English to hear yourself pronounce the words.
Record yourself speaking on different topics as often as you can
How To Master Pronunciation
Listen to spoken English (e.g., on radio/TV/ films) as much as possible.
Repeat phrases after the speaker in recordings to help you speak in word groups and use stress and intonation appropriately.
Record and listen to yourself speaking as much as you can
5. Develop Listening Skills
An applicant can be a good listener who understands English speakers, no matter their dialect, intonation, or speed of words, if they listen to English news. You can turn on the radio or TV every morning to a British channel and listen to what the anchors say, and you can write them down to be analyzed later.
Tips To Prepare For Listening Skills
The preparation time can be used to think about the task content and focus.
Double-check your answers by listening again and try to determine the cause of any problem.
Remember that you only hear the recording once. Don’t pause the CD when you’re practicing.
Finally, listen once more to the tape and highlight useful expressions.
6. Strive For Excellence, not Perfection
People attempt to be perfect to stand out, but sometimes, perfection can hinder progress. For example, if you are trying to compose an ideal paragraph in English for just one question, this action can leave you stranded and be time-consuming, so you use up the time for the rest of the test.
Keeping it simple also applies here, which might save you some time. Forget about trying to be perfect and stick with what you know.
7. Exude Confidence and Positive Attitude on Test Day
Learning to have a positive mindset and practicing self-motivation can impact your confidence in any daily endeavor. For instance, research publications have posited that how one thinks about the IELTS test will adversely affect one’s performance during that test.
Positive affirmations can help anyone handle exam anxiety. They neutralize negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones, a mindset that will be extended to the exam on D-Day.
8. Don’t Waste Time
Just as you are about to start answering the questions, try to skim through the entire test to get a general overview of what to expect as you proceed. The essence is to give you time to formulate a strategy to help you respond to each question. In case you struggle with a particular question, instead of delaying, move on to the next one and return to it later.
Another helpful tip in this regard is for a student to do IELTS practice tests before the actual test (and it can be repeated). This will help you balance managing your time efficiently and crafting the ideal answer. More importantly, remember to pace yourself during the allotted time for the exam.
