IELTS, I know it sounds daunting and challenging at the same time. however, I assure you that you will make it with flying colors. It’s not about hard work but it’s about smart work. If you haven’t decided the type of IELTS you will be sitting for then now is time. I would suggest an academic version of ‘IELTS for UKVI”.
How do I start?
for any type of assessment or interview, it is very important to evaluate your abilities. For IELTS you must know how fluent and eloquent you are and how much time do you think you will require to prepare for it.
It’s not a competition, you are the only judge of you here. So take your time and don’t push yourself too hard. I will be discussing the contents and outline briefly below that will help you plan and implement accordingly.
Resources
When I prepared for my IELTS test, I made maximum use of the Cambridge test series. Books 10, 11, 12 specifically. You can find these series here. The good thing is that this test doesn’t test your cramming abilities hence you just need to work on your linguistics and language fluency. Go through the reading passages, listening passages, Q/As.
YouTube can come to your rescue at this time. There is a video series by IELTS Liz that I came across on YouTube. Her strategies and methodologies were really helpful for developing a strong foundation for the examination. Her grasp on the language and explanation of all important topics separately really gives you a kickstart.
Recent IELTS exam questions and topics are something you would need to check out from time to time as many have found the speaking topic to be repeated from the forum’s recent discussion.
Movies and TV shows
You might think what is movies and TV shows doing under IELTS preparation but trust me it’s the best source to improve your language. It improves your listening and speaking skills by 10 points immediately. It also gives you a clear understanding of different accents that you might come across, which will help you in the listening section.
Pick up your favorite genre, and just watch something. It will not just give you a break but it’s a great way to learn. It is recommended to watch British shows that will be more helpful. But don’t forget to tick subtitles off because it will hinder your learning and kill the purpose. Just listen intently and pick up the accent and words.
Writing Method
Normally people find it easy to write rather than talk in English, specifically people whose first language isn’t English. However, some people find the writing section the most challenging. To prepare for the writing section go through as many sample essays you could. Simon and Ryan‘s video lectures are also a savior. Lastly practice. Write as much as you can. Get it checked by friends or family or anyone. This will provide you with room for improvement. Several sites provide mock tests that you can attempt for practice. (www.ipassielts.com and www.ielts-exam.net).
Exam day
It’s showtime, make sure you bring your A-game. Be confident and trust your abilities. There is no room for panic or anxiety. Your passport and IELTS booking confirmation are the 2 main things that you will need to take with you. Depending on your test Centre you can take stationery with you. Normally it is communicated via email beforehand. If you have any queries don’t hesitate to leave an email or call them.
Dress comfortably, get there early, and don’t drink too much caffeine. You are allowed bathroom breaks, but the time keeps running in your absence. Be mindful of that, especially since you are not allowed to wear a watch, and you must rely on the huge timer they’ve placed in the exam hall. Some proctors will be walking around the entire time and will check your identity at least twice (you’ll have your confirmation of booking and passport handy). Cameras are also visible in the front and back of the exam hall to ensure no cheating.
Your reading, listening, and writing may be before or after your speaking exam. I would suggest coming to your speaking exam in at least a semi-professional attire i.e. guys, tuck in your shirts, polish your shoes. girls, you know how to dress; it’s the boys that are usually lost.
Before the exam starts, you will be taken into a room where they will check your papers. Then, they will take your photo there (glasses must be removed, if you wear a hijab, they will ask that you loosen it to the point that your ears are visible), and they will also scan your fingerprints (biometric data). After all of this is done to the candidates, you’ll be herded into a room that will have desks labeled with your name and number. Find your spot, take your seat, and listen to the proctors for further instructions. Lastly, don’t worry about a thing. You’ve studied, you’ve prepared, now show the IELTS what you’ve got.