IELTS Preparation Tips

To achieve a better IELTS score, you need to follow a regular study plan and you should endeavour to prepare as better as possible. It has been proven that with great skill in the English Language, some candidates fail to achieve their desired band scores only because they do not prepare for the test well. That is probably because they do not spend enough time on IELTS preparation.

Now we are going to answer the question, which is frequently asked by candidates, "How early should I be preparing for IELTS?" Well, let's discuss when you should start preparing for IELTS.

I don't have a straightforward or simple answer to this question. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should devote around 1-3 months for the preparation and one week for the mock tests.

Now let's examine this from a more practical point of view.

If you are already an expert user of English and have a good understanding of the test, its four modules, questions, traps and pitfalls, and assessment criteria, you can take some model tests and get ready to take the test in one to two weeks. The mock tests would give you a good insight into where you are making mistakes and what to do to overcome those mistakes. When you are satisfied with your mock test results, register for the test and take it with confidence.

If your command of the English language is average, you should target to allocate at least 2-3 months to learn about the test, improve your grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening and reading skills, and then take some mock tests. Never allocate more than 4-5 months in such a scenario. If you prolong your preparation time, it sometimes may backfire.

If you feel that you make many basic English mistakes while writing on a topic, have a poor vocabulary, difficulty in reading complex paragraphs or find native accents quite hard to understand, you should focus on improving your English ability first and then prepare for the test. You can do both simultaneously- which means improve your English by reading English books, magazines, watching English movies and TV series, listening to English music and radio programmes, having friends or colleagues to practise speaking, and prepare for IELTS on your own or from a training centre.

Please make sure you give yourself a deadline for the preparation, which, in our opinion, should not be more than 6-8 months. Otherwise, it may turn out to be too long to take the test and get your test result.



Reading Preparation Tips

Preparation Tips for IELTS Academic Reading: The reading module consists of 3 sections with approximately 40 questions. The three reading passages are on topics of general interest and usually, these passages are taken from books, newspapers, journals or magazines. There are lots of strategies and advice you should follow to be prepared for the academic reading section of the original IELTS exam ........ Read More

Preparation Tips for IELTS GT Reading: The reading module consists of 3 sections with approximately 40 questions. This module consists of 3 sections with approximately 40 questions. The three reading passages are generally taken from advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books and magazines... There are lots of strategies and advice you should follow to be prepared for the general training reading section of the original IELTS exam ........ Read More

Writing Preparation Tips

Preparation Tips for Academic IELTS Writing: It is important that you finish both the IELTS Academic writing task 1 and 2 within the advised time limits. As Task Two carries more weight than task 1 in your final band score, you should concentrate on practising task 2 more. Illegible handwriting will reduce your final band score. Try to follow the tips while you practice for the academic writing task ........ Read More

Preparation Tips for GT IELTS Writing: In General Training IELTS Writing Task 1, candidates are required to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Candidates are required to write at least 150 words in task 1. Try to follow the tips while you practice for the GT writing task 1 ........ Read More

Listening Preparation Tips

Preparation Tips for IELTS Listening: The Listening test takes 30 minutes, approximately 20 minutes to listen to the tape and answer the questions, and 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an Answer Sheet provided during the test. You should listen to English music, News channels like BBC, CNN etc. to increase your listening skill ........ Read More

Speaking Preparation Tips

Preparation Tips for IELTS Speaking: The Speaking Sub-test takes between 11 and 14 minutes. The Sub-test consists of an interview with a trained examiner and is recorded on a tape recorder. The Speaking sub-test Band Score is calculated from a comprehensive checklist of speaking skills in 4 distinct areas of a candidate's ability - » 'Fluency and Coherence Lexical Resource' » 'Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation' .......... Read More



We will also answer a very important question related to IELTS preparation at home, especially considering the changing situations during the pandemic.

Question: Besides institutional preparation, how to practice at home?

Answer: When it comes to preparing for the IELTS test, you have basically two options- one is getting enrolled in an IELTS training centre where expert teachers would help you prepare for the test, and the other option is preparing on your own at home. This is important, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic situation where social distancing is crucial and our life is in threat.

Some candidates opt for both, i.e. take an IELTS course in a coaching centre while also prepare at home. When it comes to choosing a training institute or a coaching centre, make sure you choose the one that has a good reputation. Talk to your friends, colleagues who have been to this same institution and do some inquiry before you get enrolled.

When it comes to preparing at home on your own, you should take advantage of the official IELTS websites, websites dedicated to IELTS, Forums, and online video resources. First, learn about the test, its registration process and other necessary information from the official websites like British Council, IDP and Cambridge Assessment English.

Moreover, some excellent websites are out there, which you can access for free, and which are dedicated to providing IELTS resources, preparation materials and sample answers. My personal favourites are:

IELTS Liz (https://ieltsliz.com)
IELTS Buddy (https://www.ieltsbuddy.com)
IELTS Simmon (https://www.ielts-simon.com)
IELTS Exam  (https://www.ielts-exam.net), and
IELTS Mentor (https://www.ielts-mentor.com)

For video resources for IELTS preparation, https://www.engvid.com/ is an outstanding resource. You can also watch some YouTube videos, but make sure you select only contents that have good quality.

While preparing at home, do not procrastinate. Follow a regular study plan and have a realistic and achievable goal. From our experience, we can say that spending time for the preparation every day for 2-3 hours is far better than sitting down to study once a week for several hours.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.48 (24 Votes)

Masuda Yeasmin Lubna
I want to clear my speaking.
Nguyen
I really want to have a partner who can speak English well because I want to improve my speaking skill. Please message me at ciciwallet@gmai l.com.
Sebbastian
Did you manage to find one?
Meet
Hi, my name is Meet, and I'm looking for a native speaker to speak with me online. Hopefully, we can help each other. I also speak my native language is Gujarati and Hindi. If anybody is interested to know about my culture, just knock me here and then message me at meetdevdi@gmail .com.
Vamskrishna
My speaking and writing skill is average. I need to improve it.
Elakiya S
I need an efficient speaking partner at Chennai location. Please do contact through my email address elakiya1995@gmail.com.
Gunjan Bakari
My Speaking & Writing skills are average, so can you help me?
Anshul Kumar
I am also preparing for the exam and looking for a speaking partner. I would like to help. Will you help?
Maan
Hello everybody, I’m looking for a speaking partner. Please contact me for speaking practice. My number is 9877077952.
Ashaq Afridi
Hi.
Ashaq Afridi
Contact me here.
Shahnawaz
Hi, I am Shahnawaz and I need a speaking partner. 00923009608083 is my WhatsApp number. Please contact.
Kaushik
I am also looking for a partner for speaking practice.
Priyanka Rana
A speaking partner is required for improving my speaking in English. Please help me. I would be thankful to you.
Gagan
Please contact me at 8847368509?
Nouman Gul
I need a partner for IELTS speaking. Anyone can contact me on my WhatsApp number +923340811444. I have to take the exam in May.
Al Biruni
Please contact me for speaking practice. My WhatsApp number is +880 1713076379.
Umamahesh
I need a speaking partner from India. If anyone is interested, contact me on 9848807551.
Fatima
Hello! dear, this is Fatima Safari from Afghanistan.
Fatima
:-)
Anand
These preparation tips for the British Council's IELTS are simply amazing. I would like to share it with my friends.
Jass
Jaspreet, have you got any help regarding the same?
IELTS Mentor
We are quite happy to read your comment.
Arafatarian
I am very pleased to get the website and i want to give a great thank to the concerned.
Deepmala Rai
Hello, I want to improve my reading and writing skills. Please tell me what should I have to do?
Ishu
Jaspreet kaur said :
Plz can u help me in getting 7 bands in each module?
Yeah Jaspreet, I will clear your doubts. Contact me on WhatsApp 7988623044.

Vishwas Singh
If you have an anxiety disorder, you can get medicine in pharmacy to get rid of anxiety. Have before your test and it will control your nervousness and helps you to stay normal. Hope it will work. Best of luck.
Mahsima
Thank you for this website.
M.Ghazal
Hi, everybody. I hope you all have a great moment. I have many problems in speaking and as mater of fact when l start speaking, I am not able to remember anything. How can I fix it?
Harsimran
Have you gotten Jaspreet?
Shah Khan
The given tips have helped me score 8 in IELTS bands wherein, I have practised as per the given instructions. Reading and writing were mostly helpful to me. Thanks for creating such a great practice tips.
Ravi Maharjan
I can not access IELTS preparation tips for General Test regarding the reading section. Why???
M.Bakr
Any partner for speaking practice? My Skype ID is: mahmoudbaker90.
Jaspreet Kaur
Can you please help me in getting 7 bandscore in each module?
Jaspreet Kaur
I have a problem in grammar. Could you please help me?
David Zhou
This is a great place to improve IELTS testing skills. Thank you very much!
Harpreet
Can you please help me in getting 6 band score in each module, especially in writing and speaking?
Esther Nwe
Thank you so much. I've got many sample answers, answer sheets and other IELTS related information from this website. It is very helpful.
Shayna
Great article. Keep posting such kind of information on your IELTS site. I'm really impressed by it as it would help me greatly to score better in IELTS test. Hi there, You've performed an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and for my part, recommend to my friends. I'm confident they will be benefited from this website.
Sultan
Thank you very much for this great work and help.