Quick and Hassle-Free IELTS Preparation With the Help of GyanDhan

What is IELTS?

IELTS or The International English Language Testing System is an English language proficiency test. It is used for higher education as well as for immigration purposes. International students who wish to study in a country that uses English as the primary language of communication need to take IELTS Academic to prove their proficiency in the English language. The test takers have to prove their proficiency in English listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

Why is a Good Preparation Needed for IELTS?

Preparing well for the IELTS academic is important. This is because the admission of an international student to a foreign University also depends on his/her IELTS score among other factors. Top American universities accept students with an IELTS score in the band of 7, while those students aiming to get admission to top universities in the UK, Canada, and Australia  need a score band between 6 and 7.

Getting a score in the above bands is not difficult, even for non-native English speakers. All it needs is good and smart IELTS Preparation. In this blog, GyanDhan, an education loan financing marketplace, gives readers some tips on quick and hassle-free IELTS Academic preparation so that they can ace the exam and get into their dream foreign university.

How to Prepare for IELTS? – GyanDhan Preparation Guide

IELTS Exam Pattern

GyanDhan believes that students who understand the pattern of the IELTS exam have a distinct advantage over those who don’t. Therefore, before checking the tips for IELTS Exam Preparation, students should have a  look at the pattern of the IELTS exam.

As mentioned earlier, the exam tests the students on their listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. Students have to attempt the first three sections, i.e., listening, reading, and writing on the same day and in the above mentioned order. The speaking test may be held on the same day or seven days before or after the above exam.

• The listening test is for a duration of 30 minutes plus 10 minutes given to students to transfer the answers from the question booklet to the answer sheet. It consists of four recordings and 40 questions.
• The reading test is for 60 minutes.  Test takers have to read three long texts and answer 40 questions.
• The writing test lasts 60 minutes and includes two tasks.
• In the Speaking test, the test taker will talk to a certified examiner. The examiner will assess the student on his/her ability to communicate well in English and speak on a given topic.

Section-wise Preparation tips

Following are the preparation tips for each section of IELTS.

• Listening – Each recording is played only once, and this can lead students to miss out on information and commit errors. Hence, GyanDhan suggests the readers to practice listening to as many news bulletins and discussions on television as possible. It is also advised that they simultaneously take down important points. This will help them develop the habit of jotting important points while listening which will come handy during the Listening exam. Another tip here is that students should use short forms while noting important points. This will save time in the actual exam. Students should also practice as many listening questions as they can lay their hands on. Also, they should evaluate each practice to know their strengths and weaknesses in this section. For more information on how to prepare well for this section, they can visit here.
• Reading – For this section, GyanDhan says that students should develop their reading skills and their ability to look for important information in the given passage. Developing their vocabulary and grammar is another important tip. For this, they should read newspapers, journals, magazines, etc., as much as possible. If they come across a word that they do not understand, they should not panic. Rather, they should look at the context in which the word is used and look for clues.  Like in the above section, students should practice as many reading sections from IELTS Sample Test as possible.
• Writing – To prepare for this section, GyanDhan encourages the students to study the pattern of high quality writing from newspapers and magazines. They should also read sample essays. This will give them an idea about how to go about this task. The next step should be to practice writing as many essays as time permits. While practicing writing, students should ensure that they adhere to the time limit. It is advised that they finish the 1st task in 20 minutes and move on to the next task as soon as possible. This is because the second task is always lengthier and double the marks. Like in all sections, students should ensure correct usage of grammar, vocabulary, and spellings. Another important tip here is to keep the word limit in mind and learn to recognize the length of a 150-word paragraph and 250-word paragraph. This will save them the time they will spend counting the words in their essays. The essays should always use a formal tone and avoid usage of abbreviations. Readers can also take help from here for this section.
• Speaking – Students can practice speaking on commonly asked topics. They can also listen to short speeches and conversations and practice summarizing them verbally. While doing the above tasks, the readers should record themselves. This will allow them to assess their speaking skills and make improvements. Special attention should be paid to correct pronunciation, grammar, fluency, the flow of thoughts and vocabulary.  GyanDhan  has also explained how to prepare for this section here.

Since readers are now aware of some general tips for each section, they can visit here for IELTS Sample Questions.

What are Some General IELTS Preparation Tips to Keep in Mind?

After discussing section-wise IELTS tips, we also list down some general preparation tips related to the exam and how to prepare better for IELTS.

• Start your IELTS preparations much in advance. Not only would it give you more time to prepare but also practice as many sample papers as possible. You can take the help of numerous IELTS Preparation material Online or even opt for IELTS Preparation Course if needed.
• Studying as per a time-table is another tip that GyanDhan swears by. You will become more organized and will be able to pay equal attention to all sections.
• Regular revision and practice will be an advantage for all IELTS students. The adage “practice makes a man perfect” would certainly hold true in this case and help you build on your strengths and work on your weakness. Solving mock tests too would be an advantage.
•  Conceptual clarity will certainly help you have an upper hand in the test.
• One of the most commonly asked questions is “how much time to devote or spare for IELTS prep?” and “How much time to devote to per section preparation.” Well, there is no definite answer to this as it depends from student to student. However, devise your own time-management strategies and stick to them.
• Take external help when needed. Consulting seniors/mentors to clear any doubts or reaching out to those who have given the exam and scored well is advised.

What are the Preparation Tips to Follow for One Week Before the Exam ?

The week before the IELTS exam date is crucial and should be spent wisely and productively. Given below are five tips that will help you make the most of this week:

1. Do not learn anything new. Rather practice what you have already studied.
2. Keep each of the first four days of the week for just one section of IELTS.
3. Strictly avoid memorizing answers.
4. Maintain your calm and train your mind to remain calm on the day of the exam too.
5. Believe in your hard work and have a good night’s sleep the night before the exam.

What you Should keep in Mind During the Exam?

General tips one should follow during the exam

Some common tips for the day of the exam are as follows-

1. Reach the exam center on time
2. Carry all the exam related documents
3. Do not cheat
4. Go to the toilet before you enter the exam room as there will be no break between the different sections
5. Be calm and focussed

Section-wise strategies

1. Listening section – Utilize your time to read the given questions before the recording commences. Since you will have already read the questions, you should be on the lookout for answers to these questions, and write them on the question paper. Once the recording ends, students should immediately transfer their answers to the answer sheet.
2. Reading section – Students should keep a check on the time and move to the next question in case they are unable to answer any question. They should also make a note of the word limit and stick to it. They should remember to write their answers in the answer sheet and not on the question paper.
3. Writing section – Students should plan their tasks before starting to write. Sticking to the topic, writing different ideas in different paragraphs, not repeating themselves, and sticking to the word count is important. It is also necessary to have a concluding paragraph. Students must spend only 20 minutes on the first task and move to the second task soon. Once they have written their essays, they should quickly give it a  read as it will help them make minor changes.
4. Speaking section – Students should listen carefully when they are asked a question. They can ask for clarification in case they do not understand something. They should speak more than the examiner, and their speech should be clear and fluent. Confidence is the key, and being relaxed will help them answer confidently and in a coherent manner.

GyanDhan is committed to helping students with their study abroad dreams and understands that a good IELTS score is a must for this. This preparation guide by GyanDhan will definitely help students perform their best in the IELTS.

Also if you need further assistance from GyanDhan regarding IELTS preparation, you can get in touch with them. They will connect you with some of the best IELTS preparation institutes out there which will help you to give that perfect boost to your preparation.