IELTS Preparation Tips

To achieve a better IELTS score, you need to follow a regular study plan and endeavour to prepare as good as possible. It has been proven that even with good skills in English, some candidates fail to achieve their desired band scores because they do not prepare for the test well.

Many candidates ask, “How early should I be preparing for IELTS?”. Well, let’s discuss when you should start preparing for IELTS.

There is no straightforward (or simple) answer to this question. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should devote around 1-3 months to the preparation and one week to the mock tests, based on your English skill levels.

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 may sometimes 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 preparing 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 tasks 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 skills…….. 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, where social distancing is crucial and our lives are at risk.

Some candidates opt for both, i.e. take an IELTS course in a coaching centre while also preparing 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 research 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 Simon (https://www.ielts-simon.study)
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 preparing every day for 2-3 hours is far better than sitting down to study once a week for several hours.