There are a huge number of aspirants who dream of pursuing higher studies in foreign countries such as UK, USA, Canada, Australia and others. Now, if the aspirants are from a non-native English speaking country requires to give an English language exam for getting admission to the foreign universities. IELTS or International English Language Testing System is one such exam that is accepted in the above-mentioned countries along with a number of others as well for getting admission to the foreign universities or institutions located in the native English speaking countries. Thus, it becomes quite important for the aspirants to crack the IELTS exam for seeking admission to the foreign universities where English is main communication language. So, to make it easier for the candidates, here we have listed a few important tips to crack IELTS that are as mentioned below.
1) Study plan to crack IELTS exam
- Give at least 1-2 hours daily for self-study – A consistent approach towards IELTS preparationis the key to success. You must dedicatedly study for your IELTS exam a minimum of 2-3 hours daily. This should be your self-study time which does not include the coaching you receive from the experts.
- Give enough time to each section – Each section of the IELTS test has its weightage. If you want to know How to crack the IELTS exam, you must first understand each section and then prepare for each one of them individually.
- Read English newspapers, watch English TV shows, etc. – Practice is your way to get a great hold on the language. Indulging yourself in English literature or watching English TV soaps & movies can prove very helpful in enhancing your vocabulary and understanding of the language.
- Spend more time in sections where you lack – Devote more time and effort to sections that you are weak in. for the reading section, make sure you go over passages and attempt the related questions. If you are having trouble with the accent, practice by listening to different audio clips. Similarly, work on the writing and speaking part if you are having trouble.
- Practice a lot – If you don’t practice, you don’t deserve to win! The more you practice the better you can show your English language skills and knowledge in the IELTS test.
- Evaluate yourself – Mock tests are the best way to test yourself. You can buy books with mock IELTS test papers and attempt them to rectify your shortcomings and ensure your success in the exam.
- Follow the study plan tightly – Make a study plan and stick to it. Make sure you work on all the sections equally and practice them on regular basis.
2) Things to remember while preparing for IELTS
- Complete Understanding of the Format of the Test – It is of immense importance to have a clear and complete understanding of the test format which is basically the most important tip to crack almost all examinations. The IELTS exam assesses the candidates on four different parameters that are reading, writing, listening and speaking. Thus, the candidates should have a detailed idea of the format of the test so that it becomes easier to crack the same. Any of the candidates planning to crack IELTS needs to prove their proficiency in all the four sections in a time period of 2 hours and 45 minutes. The time allotted for the sections for listening, reading, writing and speaking is 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 60 minutes and 11 to 14 minutes respectively. The listening, reading and writing sections are completed on the same day but the speaking sections will be conducted a week after or before after the tests of three other sections.
- Practice Makes a Man Perfect – Practice is certainly the key to success in any of the examinations. To crack the IELTS examination in the first go, it is extremely important to practice on a regular basis. It is extremely important to develop language skills of all the four modules. These essential skills can be enhanced by following a regular study plan. Now, at the time when a regular study plan is followed, cracking of the examination becomes easier which is exactly what should be done by the aspirants in order to crack IELTS.
- Developing Test Taking Skills – The test taking skills are indispensable for excellent scores in the IELTS examination. For the improvement of the listening skills, it is quite important for the candidate to be patient and clearly understand each of the words that are being spoken. For the improvement of the reading skills, the candidates can read loud for the improvisation of the pronunciation. Simply practice writing by creating essays on various topics so that you develop a fluency on writing without having to stop frequently since every moment is precious. To improve your speaking skills, you can practice by speaking in front of the mirror. Fluency does not come in a day and hence constant practice is essential in this regard. A comprehensive skill development practice on your own would always be good enough to get the required scores in IELTS.
- Avoid Writing Too Much – At the time of preparation for the writing test, it is to be kept in mind that too much writing is to be avoided. Time management is crucial part for cracking IELTS and each of the aspirants should always remember that finishing on time is essential. For instance, writing an essay of 300 words is better that a 400 words’ essay with similar lines, repetitive ideas and mis constructed sentences.
- Proper Guidance – Proper guidance is one of the most vital parts of cracking the IELTS examination. It is true that IELTS examination is not a very easy one to crack. Thus, the development of proper skills of all the four different modules so tested in the examination along with the appropriate test taking skills as well. However, guidance from the experienced and trained tutors would always help you to properly recognise your potential as well as boost your confidence before you attempt such life changing examinations.
- Don’t leave any question – IELTS is a test all about assessing your language skills. The examiner wants you to speak during the speaking test and write when checking your writing skills. If you give them a silence or blank spaces, they will be unable to evaluate whether you are eligible to clear the test or not. So, leaving/ skipping any question is not helpful for the examiner or you. The same rule applies to the listening and reading tests. If you leave any questions, they will be marked as incorrect.
- Don’t stress yourself – It is natural to feel under pressure when taking the IELTS test. However, it is important to remember that no one performs well under too much pressure. Experts’ advice to keep your nerves under control to unleash your true potential. You can perform some breathing exercises before the test starts. Also, eating healthy and sleeping well a night before the test proves helpful. H however, the key to a stress-free exam experience lies with the right planning and preparations for the test ahead of time.