How to Prepare for IELTS at Home

Table of Contents

What is IELTS?

IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) examination is a gateway to enter English-speaking countries either for higher studies or for work. The universities and organizations in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and even in the USA to some extent, recognize IELTS and offer admission based on the IELTS test scores. It is the exam that tests your proficiency in the basics of the English Language in terms of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Do you have to spend a fortune to crack IELTS?

You have set your eyes on your dream university, now comes the big question, how should you prepare for the exam, should you enroll yourself in a coaching institute or prepare at home, all by yourself? The good news is, you need not shell out huge sums of money towards coaching. With methodical and systematic planning and with a deep understanding of the structure of the test, you can prepare for IELTS sitting at home.

How to prepare for IELTS at home?

Students wanting to prepare at home can refer to the IELTS Preparation Guide that contains IELTS Sample Papers and strategies to help you prepare without going to any formal coaching institute. IELTS books and resources are also great preparation material popularly followed by many IELTS aspirants everywhere. candidates can also refer to the official IELTS website for further study material. With all the material and resources in your hand, here are a few guidelines and tips that help you prepare for the exam on your own.

The test is divided into four sections, and each section requires a unique approach to achieve a decent band score

Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking

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IELTS Exam: Tips to Achieve a High Score	Exam day tips for IELTS: How to approach each section

Listening

Listening is supposed to be the easiest of the four sections. The candidate will listen to 4 different recordings and answer 40 questions within 30 minutes. The tricky part is, you will listen and write the answers at the same time. So how do you ace the listening part of the exam?

Practice, practice, and practice, take as many trail tests as possible before the actual exam.
Focus is the key, listen to every single detail of the conversation being played out. Most often, losing the focus for a few seconds will fail you in answering one or two questions, this is where your score comes down
Try to master different accents of English.
When you are not taking trail tests listening to podcasts, following English news channels and enjoy English shows, this helps in improvising your listening capabilities and also understanding the accent of the native English speakers better.

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Reading

The reading part contains 3 sections with 40 questions, and you need to answer them within 60 minutes. If listening is about practice, reading is to do with time management.

Time your trail tests while practicing reading sections.
Section 3 is relatively tougher compared to 1 and 2. So take as little time as possible for the first two sections and get enough practice for the third section.
Hone your vocabulary skills. As time is the deciding factor here, you should know the meaning of complicated words to proceed quickly.
Take a glance at questions before you read the text. Make a note of keywords while you read. This helps you answer better.
As you read along, build a gist of the paragraph in your mind.

Writing

Writing involves 2 sections, task 1 and task 2. Task 1 comprises analyzing a situation or analyzing a graph/chart or a diagram. In task 2, you will be required to write a long essay on a given topic.

Writing tests your language skills in a real sense. Mentally plan your composition and give a thought to the structure of the essay before putting it on the paper.
Divide your content into 4 to 5 short paragraphs
Start with an attractive introduction and end with meaningful conclusions.
Do not repeat the words; use a lot of synonyms.

Speaking

Speaking test takes place either a few days before or after the other three modules. This test requires you to wear your confidence on your sleeves for a smooth get through. The entire test lasts for about 15 minutes and comprises three sections, introduction, individual long turn, and two-way conversation between examiner and examinee.

Start and end the sentences well.
Do not repeat the words or sentences
Practice at home by talking to your pals on various topics and asking them to give feedback
Construct simple, error-free sentences.
Get your pronunciation right.

So, you can certainly prepare for IELTS at home and save on money and time. Hard work and smart work is the way to go. All the best.

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