Tips on taking the IELTS test

LISTENING 1. Read instructions carefully, dont just glance at them. They are not always the same as in the practice or previous tests. 2. Try and anticipate what the speaker will say. This requires concentration, which is easy in your own language, but more difficult in English. 3. Dont be surprised if you hear a range of accents and dialects, as IELTS is an international test. 4. Often speakers will give you an answer and then correct themselves, watch out for this. Its a common trick. 5. Remember if you want a high score you should aim to get all questions in parts one and two correct. Dont make any careless mistakes in the easier sections. 6. Small errors such as spelling, omitting s or incomplete representation of time e.g. 1.30 instead of 1:30 PM can lead to a low score. 7. Dont panic if you think the topic is too difficult or the speaker is too fast. Relax and tune in. 8. Read, write and listen at the same time. Practise doing this. 9. Dont leave blanks, you might as well guess as you wont be penalised for incorrect answers. READING 1. Look at ways paragraphs are organised. 2. Try and predict the content of the paragraph from the opening sentence. 3. Dont panic if you dont know anything about the passage. All the answers are in the passage and dont need any specialist knowledge. 4. Only give one answer if that is all thats needed. 5. Leave a question if you cant answer. To spend a long time on one answer is disastrous. Go back to it later if you have time and guess the answer if you have to. 6. Remember you have no extra time to transfer your answers. Because they have extra time in listening, many candidates think they will be able to do this in the reading module too. You cant. 7. Dont concentrate on words you dont know. It wastes valuable time. 8. Careless mistakes cost many marks. Copy the answer correctly if it is in the passage. 9. Check spelling. WRITING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Plan and organise your answers in paragraphs. Dont repeat ideas in a different way. Write to the topic. Dont write too many words. Keep to the word limit for each task. Learn to recognise how long 150/250 words are in your handwriting. You dont really have time to count. Avoid informal language. Be careful with timing, dont rush Task 2, its longer and carries more marks. Dont memorise model answers, they wont fit the question and you will make careless mistakes. Always spend several minutes re-reading and correcting your essays.

SPEAKING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. It tests your ability to communicate effectively not just your grammatical accuracy. Refrain from using prepared answers. The examiner is trained to spot this and will change the question. Develop your answers as much as possible. Ask for clarification if necessary. Remember it is not a test of knowledge and there is no single answer, but ensure that you give your opinion. Do not worry about the tape recorder as interviews are recorded for monitoring purposes. Practise recording ideas onto a tape recorder at home.

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