How to Prepare for the IELTS like a Pro (When You are a Beginner…)

• November 11th, 2022
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You must prepare for the test to have the best chance of doing well in IELTS. We have gathered the following materials to help you prepare and know what to expect in your trial.

Understand the test structure

You should know how this test will be conducted and structured so that you will have no surprises on the test day. While familiarising yourself with the test format, see the type of questions asked in each module.

Test format – Listening (30 minutes)

Test format – Reading (60 minutes)

Test format – Academic Reading (60 minutes)

Test format – Academic Writing (60 minutes)

Test format – General Training Writing (60 minutes)

Test format – Speaking (11–14 minutes)

The sequence of Test Sections for paper-based IELTS

Writing – Listening – Reading

Arrangement of Test Sections for computer-delivered IELTS

Listening – Reading – Writing

Sample Test Questions

It is always better to use the IELTS official practice materials. This will help you to

1. familiarise yourself with the test format

2. try the types of tasks you will be asked to complete in the test

3. test yourself under timed conditions

4. review your answers and compare them with model answers

Once you have solved a few practice question papers, you can try the IELTS Progress Check to ensure your result. IELTS Progress check is an official IELTS online test marked by qualified examiners. This will give you an indicator band score and provide feedback on improvement areas.

What is IELTS Progress Check?

It is an authentic paid IELTS online practice test. You can choose IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training practice tests. 

Completed tests are marked by IELTS-trained and qualified markers. Within 5 days, you will get an official feedback report, which includes an indicative overall test score and band scores for each test section (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking).

Invest in your success today and purchase IELTS Progress Check. or Practice with Coaching centers.

Request your practice materials from the Coaching centre or Self-Study on the Internet or from Nearby-Stationery, which offers IELTS materials.

The Assessment Criteria for improving your Average Score

Examiners use assessment criteria to decide on a suitable band for your answer.

Writing

1. Task Achievement (for Task 1 – Letter or Report writing), Task Response (for Task 2 – Essay writing)
2. Coherence and Cohesion
3. Lexical Resource
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Each criterion has 25% weightage, and the score for the task is the average of these 4 bands.

Speaking

Speaking is evaluated based on the following four assessment criteria.

1. Fluency and Coherence
2. Lexical Resource
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
4. Pronunciation

Each criterion has 25% weightage, and the overall speaking score is the average of these 4 bands.

Re-Sitting the IELTS test

You should re-write the test if you cannot meet the minimum eligibility requirement for IELTS. You can find a suitable test date at a test centre near you from the IELTS website and book the same. However, before you appear for the test again, you must work on your language and improve your fluency. Taking time to learn the English language is an investment worth many opportunities in the future.

We have some handy sample test questions to help you prepare to retake the IELTS exam. We suggest you read how to prepare and follow a plan to make the best of your time.