IELTS Insights: Tips and Strategies for Success

1. Introduction

• IELTS Overview and its importance –

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. This exam has two types namely Academic IELTS and General IELTS. It has two modes from which you have a choice to select while booking the exam – Computer based and Paper based. Nowadays students prefer the CBT mode of test as it is more convenient. IDP IELTS, British council and Cambridge work in collaboration for this exam although only IDP is the test conducting body in India.

The IELTS exam is widely accepted by more than 140 countries worldwide which makes it more dynamic. This exam not only tests your proficiency but also tests your fluency, dressing sense, and facial expressions. You can showcase your understanding skills, reading ability and communication through this exam.

• Know about various sections in this exam (Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening).

This test has 4 modules which are also the pillars of the English language. A person attempting this test has to showcase all 4 skills like reading, listening, speaking and writing. Every module has a different time breakdown and needs a specific strategy to score well in it.

• Reason of this blog is to provide actionable tips and strategies for excelling in IELTS.

2. Understanding the IELTS Exam

• Breakdown of the IELTS exam format –

Overall time for the test is 3 hours which is divided respectively. Speaking 11-15 minutes being the shortest module has the least time to cover. Followed by Listening which is for 32 minutes and 40 minutes based on which mode the students are selecting. Reading and writing is for 60 minutes each. On the contrary, writing can have a further breakup of time according to the tasks. 

• Understanding IELTS Academic and General Training differences – 

IELTS Academic –

          This exam is given by students willing to pursue their study abroad in any foreign university or college. There are certain exceptions for some professions like teachers and nursing staff who are expected to give Academic ielts rather than General even if they are not willing to study but work abroad. Band Scores required are less in this case as it depends on the university or college applying for study.

IELTS General –

         This exam is given by students willing to work abroad in foreign and gain some extra experience for their career growth. It is to be given for a work visa or a person applying for PR in a specific country. Band Scores required are high in this case due to job requirements and selection criteria.

• Scoring system and band descriptors.

In the IELTS exam a student is given band scores ranging from 0 to 9 bands, 0 being the least and 9 being the highest. All modules have different band descriptors for marking. For instance, Speaking has 4 band descriptors (Fluency and Coherence, Pronunciation, Grammatical range and accuracy, vocabulary)and writing too has 4 band descriptors 

• Importance of understanding the test structure.

It’s important for every student to understand the test format before even starting to prepare for it. As this tells you the right way to start preparing with a schedule.

3. Listening Section Tips

• Overview of the Listening section.

Listening section is approximately 30 minutes and if we see according to the mode then in CBT you get 32 minutes and PBT you get 40 minutes to complete this module. It is divided into 4 sections and as we proceed from 1st to the last one, the speed of the audio increases, and so does the difficulty level with advanced vocabulary.

• Key strategies:
  • Practice active listening daily.
  • Familiarize yourself with various accents.
  • Improve note-taking skills.
  • Learn to predict answers using contextual clues.
  • Try understanding the distractors in the audios which may get you to the wrong answer.

• Common mistakes to avoid.

Students make mistakes by writing along with listening to the audios together. It’s always better to listen first and then write the answers. This is because the audio will be played only once and if you miss something everything is missed.

4. Reading Section Tips

• Overview of the Reading section.

Reading has different paragraphs for Academic and General IELTS. Also it is divided into 3 sections and has 40 questions.Overall duration is 60 minutes for this module.

• Key strategies:
  • Skim and scan techniques.
  • Time management: Allocate time per passage.
  • Identifying keywords and synonyms.
  • Understanding question types and how to tackle them.
  • Try reading the questions first then passage to manage finding more answers.

• Common mistakes to avoid.

Read the instructions first and don’t start writing without even knowing what is expected in that particular question by the examiner. Mostly the answers are sequential so try to read between the lines too.

5. Writing Section Tips

• Overview of the Writing section (Task 1 & Task 2).

Writing is divided into two tasks. Writing task 1 in Academic is a report whereas in the General it’s just a letter. Task 2 is an essay which is the same in both modes. Time is 60 minutes for the overall module and can be segregated by the students according to the task they are doing.

• Key strategies:
  • Analyze the question prompt carefully.
  • Structure your answers: Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion.
  • Understanding types of questions and tackling them.
  • Time management: Allocate time for planning, writing, and reviewing.
  • Always mention examples in task 2.

• Common mistakes to avoid.

Don’t directly start writing after reading the half question without even understanding what type of question it is and what is expected from you. Make sure you give enough time to understand, plan and then write the essay.