I’ve counseled more than 100 students and helped them get good grades on their IELTS exams. These are the tips that I usually ask them to focus on and trust me when I say this, this has actually helped them achieve a great score.
I’ll write a detailed article about how you can get a great IELTS score soon. But, for the time being this is something that’ll help you get good scores. It’s more of a condensed version of that.
During the listening test :
- Make sure the headphones actually work. Check them before the test and if they don’t work as the examiner to change them.
- Read the questions thoroughly before the recording actually starts
- Go through the questions once and try to find the answers rather than listening to the whole information.
- If you find the answers, write them on the question paper immediately.
- USE CAPITAL LETTERS FOR YOUR ANSWER
- Check your spelling and grammar.
During the reading test :
- Time is of the essence so make sure that you keep of track of time.
- Don’t paraphrase too much. Just get to the point
- Write the answers on the answer sheet. TIME !
- Don’t waste your time reading the whole text. If you find the answers, write them and move on .
During the writing test :
- 20 minutes for task 1 and 40 minutes for task 2
- Over 150 words for task 1 and 250 words for task 2
- Don’t waste time counting the words
- Use your question paper to plan the essay, it’s allowed
- Spelling and grammar!
- Don’t paraphrase too much. It’s not a Nepali exam
- It’s not about the right answer, it’s about how you present it. Just have this thought in your head
- Don’t write answers in bullet forms. Write in paragraph forms.
During the Speaking test:
Here’s a detailed Dos and Don’t list that you might find valuable.
- Practice before the test
- Be confident!
- No stammering!
- Look presentable for god’s sake
- When you answer a question, try to answer how a native would answer the question.
- Make sure you have proper diction and pronunciation
- Vocabulary isn’t that important but tenses are.