3 Essential Tips To Prepare The IELTS
After analyzing the different official tests available to accredit your level of English, and concluding that the IELTS is the right one for you, the most important question arises: how do I prepare for the IELTS?
The first step is not to panic. Many factors come into play when finding the optimal way to study for this test.
However, as an introduction to IELTS and to simplify this question, we are going to give you three keys that you must take into account to prepare for the IELTS. Like and review our website: Centerforsucces
1. Familiarize yourself with the IELTS test
First of all, it is essential that you know intimately how the IELTS works. Being a standardized test, the IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, follows strict requirements regarding its structure. That is why, unlike other English tests that you have taken before, for the IELTS you must study the format and evaluation methodology beforehand. Here are three guiding questions to get you started.
Are you going to take the IELTS Academic or IELTS General?
There are two versions of the IELTS: Academic and General Training. The first thing you must decide is which of them is the most suitable for your needs. The Academic IELTS, as its name suggests, is primarily geared towards entry into English-speaking universities, while the General IELTS is the preferred option for employment and immigration purposes. It is always recommended that you consult the version required by the corresponding institution, company or country.
What does each section of the IELTS consist of?
The IELTS is divided into four parts: listening (Listening), reading (Reading), writing (Writing) and speaking (Speaking). They are given in this order, in a total evaluation time of approximately two hours and 45 minutes. Please note that Listening and Speaking are the same for both versions of IELTS, while the Reading and Writing sections vary between General and Academic. You can read in detail how long each part lasts and what you will have to take in them on this IELTS page.
How is IELTS scored, and what score do you hope to get?
To prepare for the IELTS properly, you will need to establish from the beginning the score you are aiming for according to your needs. IELTS is not a “pass” or “fail” type of test, but instead scores in “bands” ranging from 0 to 9. Each section is given an individual band score, and then these results are averaged to define your final grade.
As IELTS is used for so many different purposes, your target score will depend on what you need to take the test for. In all cases, find out the requirements of the relevant entity as soon as possible and aim for a result a little higher than the minimum required. It is convenient to have a margin in your favor, in case the nerves affect your performance on the day of the exam.
2. Get IELTS practice tests
You already know which version of IELTS you are going to take, how the test is structured and what score you need to obtain. The next step is to start practicing for the test with the help of the best preparation resource available, that is, a full practice exam.
This is one of the most important parts of IELTS preparation, and one of the steps that many students overlook. To get a good result on this standardized test, you need to practice with mock or full practice tests as close as possible to the real IELTS.
Also, taking a full practice test is the best tool for diagnosing your level, knowing your IELTS strengths and weaknesses, and planning your study accordingly.
Now, where do you get good practice tests? A quick search on the internet returns a multitude of options: paid and free tests, official and unofficial, quality and not so much. The landscape can be overwhelming.
To solve all your doubts about these IELTS practice resources, we recommend that you take a look at the article prepared by the experts at Magoosh, which will guide you to find the best complete IELTS practice tests.
After analyzing the different official tests available to accredit your level of English, and concluding that the IELTS is the right one for you, the most important question arises: how do I prepare for the IELTS?
The first step is not to panic. Many factors come into play when finding the optimal way to study for this test.
However, as an introduction to IELTS and to simplify this question, we are going to give you three keys that you must take into account to prepare for the IELTS.
1. Familiarize yourself with the IELTS test
First of all, it is essential that you know intimately how the IELTS works. Being a standardized test, the IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, follows strict requirements regarding its structure. That is why, unlike other English tests that you have taken before, for the IELTS you must study the format and evaluation methodology beforehand. Here are three guiding questions to get you started.
Are you going to take the IELTS Academic or IELTS General?
There are two versions of the IELTS: Academic and General Training. The first thing you must decide is which of them is the most suitable for your needs. The Academic IELTS, as its name suggests, is primarily geared towards entry into English-speaking universities, while the General IELTS is the preferred option for employment and immigration purposes. It is always recommended that you consult the version required by the corresponding institution, company, or country.
What does each section of the IELTS consist of?
The IELTS is divided into four parts: listening (Listening), reading (Reading), writing (Writing), and speaking (Speaking). They are given in this order, in a total evaluation time of approximately two hours and 45 minutes. Please note that Listening and Speaking are the same for both versions of IELTS, while the Reading and Writing sections vary between General and Academic. You can read in detail how long each part lasts and what you will have to take in them on this IELTS page.
How is IELTS scored, and what score do you hope to get?
To prepare for the IELTS properly, you will need to establish from the beginning the score you are aiming for according to your needs. IELTS is not a “pass” or “fail” type of test, but instead scores in “bands” ranging from 0 to 9. Each section is given an individual band score, and then these results are averaged to define your final grade.
As IELTS is used for so many different purposes, your target score will depend on what you need to take the test for. In all cases, find out the requirements of the relevant entity as soon as possible and aim for a result a little higher than the minimum required. It is convenient to have a margin in your favor, in case the nerves affect your performance on the day of the exam.
2. Get IELTS practice tests
You already know which version of IELTS you are going to take, how the test is structured and what score you need to obtain. The next step is to start practicing for the test with the help of the best preparation resource available, that is, a full practice exam.
This is one of the most important parts of IELTS preparation, and one of the steps that many students overlook. To get a good result on this standardized test, you need to practice with mock or full practice tests as close as possible to the real IELTS.
Also, taking a full practice test is the best tool for diagnosing your level, knowing your IELTS strengths and weaknesses, and planning your study accordingly.
Now, where do you get good practice tests? A quick search on the internet returns a multitude of options: paid and free tests, official and unofficial, quality and not so much. The landscape can be overwhelming.
To solve all your doubts about these IELTS practice resources, we recommend that you take a look at the article prepared by the experts at Magoosh, which will guide you to find the best complete IELTS practice tests.