What steps should you take to prepare for the IELTS exam and ensure your success

You've made the decision to take the IELTS exam in order to pursue your ideal career or a course of study abroad. How can you acquire the band score you want, and where do you begin? Don't worry; there are numerous techniques available to you that can help you near your ideal score. Keep in mind that millions of applicants have taken this test before you, and many of them have succeeded in getting the results they want.

1. First, keep your IELTS preparation practical.

Despite the fact that a lot depends on how well you perform on this important test, taking the IELTS doesn't have to be frightening. It doesn't have to be difficult, tedious, or tiresome to study for tests. There are various methods you can use to get ready for success; after all, getting ready is the key to acing the IELTS.

2. Brush up on your vocabulary

You must continue to study new words every day if you want to improve your language abilities. Pay close attention to unfamiliar words, memorise them, and keep a running list of their definitions. With each new word you learn, create an example sentence. With this activity, you can increase both your language proficiency and your understanding more quickly.

3. Understand the test format

You can ensure that you can effectively prepare for each component of the test by understanding the format of the test. Here is a brief explanation:

Listening:

30 minutes
Four audio recordings
40 questions

Reading:

60 minutes
4 passages (academic) 3 passages (general)
40 questions

Writing:

60 minutes
Task 1: 150 words (20 minutes)
Letter (general) – Describe chart/graph (academic)
Task 2: 250 words (40 minutes)
Essay (general and academic)

Speaking:

11-14 minutes
Part 1: Interview (personal information)
Part 2: Short presentation (2 minutes)
Part 3: Discussion

It will be easier for you to prepare for the actual exam if you are familiar with the test's format beforehand. Recognise the time given for each portion of the test, including the reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections.

4. Practising will make you perfect

Practising in advance with former exams or sample questions from reputable sources is the best approach to getting accustomed to the test format. You'll feel more confident and have an easier time on test day if you practise.

5. Acknowledge Your Weaknesses

While preparing for the exam, pinpoint the areas in which you need to improve further and concentrate on them. Your study strategy will be more effective on test day if you are aware of which test portions you need extra help with.

6. Improve Your Reading Speed

To complete all questions before the time limit, it's critical to read fast while maintaining accuracy when responding to questions based on reading passages. Practise reading techniques like scanning passages for important words or phrases, which can help you finish multiple choice problems fast without sacrificing accuracy.

7. Set a writing plan

The ability to arrange your writing is crucial because you have to finish two writing assignments in 60 minutes. You might have thought 60 minutes was plenty of time for the IELTS writing work before the exam and that you could do much in that period. You will, however, become aware of the necessity for appropriate time management as you study for the exam.

8. Effective Time Management Is Key

In order to finish all of the questions within the specified time limits, it's crucial to manage your time effectively during each section of the exam. Before turning in any questions for marking, ensure you have enough time at the end of each section to go back and clarify any that may have been left open or unclear.

That's all for this blog; get in touch with our experts to learn more tips and tricks to ace the IELTS exam! We @MapMyStudy specialise in consulting students planning to go abroad. Book your sessions with us for a hassle-free study abroad journey!

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