TIPS FOR ALL FOUR PARTS OF THE TEST

LISTENING

1. Read instructions carefully, don’t just glance at them. They are not always the same as in practice or previous
tests.
2. The speaker will often give you an answer and then correct themselves - watch out for this. It’s a common trick.
3. Try and anticipate what the speaker will say. This requires concentration - easy in your own language, but more
difficult in English.
4. Remember, if you want a high score you should aim to get all questions in parts one and two correct. Don’t make
any careless mistakes in the easier sections.
5. Although there are not that many IELTS books on the market, other Cambridge exam preparation materials, such
as FCE and CAE preparation books, can provide valuable practice.
6. Small errors such as spelling, omitting (s) or incomplete times e.g. 1.30 can lead to low score.
7. Don’t 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! You need practice for this.
9. Don’t leave blanks, better guess because you won’t be penalised.
10. It is advisable for you to write your answers in CAPITAL letters; when it is not clear whether the spelling is correct
or not, for example because of a candidate’s poor handwriting, then the answers are marked as wrong.

READING

1. Leave a question if you can’t answer. To spend a long time on one answer is disastrous. Go back later if you have
time and guess if you have to.
2. Don’t panic if you don’t know anything about the text paragraph. All the answers are there and you don’t need any
specialist knowledge.
3. Remember you have no extra time to transfer your answers. Many candidates think that because they have extra
time in listening they are able to do this in reading too. You can’t.
4. Before the exam, read as widely as possible e.g. newspapers, magazines, journals. Don’t limit yourself to one type
of text and read articles with an academic style where possible.
5. Look at ways paragraphs are organised.
6. Try and predict the content of paragraph from the opening sentence.
7. Give the paragraph you are reading an imaginary heading.
8. Don’t concentrate on words you don’t know. It is fatal and wastes valuable time.
9. Try and spend a specific period of time each day reading.
10. Careless mistakes cost many marks. Copy the answer correctly if it is in the text paragraph.
11. Check spelling.
12. Give only one answer if that is all that’s needed.
13. Be careful with singular/plural.
WRITING

1. Highlight/circle key words.

2. Clearly divide paragraphs.
3. Don’t repeat ideas in a different way.
4. Stick to the topic.
5. Careful with timing - don’t rush! Task 2 is longer and carries more weight.
6. Use one idea in each paragraph.
7. Avoid informal language.
8. Learn to recognise how long 150 words is in your handwriting. You don’t really have time to count.
9. Don’t write too many words, particularly for Task One.
10. Get used to always spending several minutes re-reading and correcting your essays.
11. Don’t memorise model answers, they won’t fit the question and you will make more careless mistakes.

SPEAKING

1. It tests your ability to communicate effectively not just your grammatical accuracy.
2. Don’t learn chunks of answers. The examiner is trained to spot this and will change the question.
3. Develop your answers as much as possible.
4. Speak more than the examiner.
5. Ask for clarification if necessary.
6. Remember it is not a test of knowledge and there is no single answer, but ensure that you give your opinion. Don’t
worry if you feel it is not sophisticated enough.
7. The areas covered are fairly predictable and not infinite, so practise at home by recording ideas onto a tape
recorder.

How strictly is IELTS marked?

Candidates should take care when writing answers on the Listening and Reading Answer Sheet as incorrect spelling
and grammar are penalised. Both UK and US varieties of spelling are acceptable.

If candidates are asked to write an answer using a certain number of words and/or (a) number(s), they will be
penalised if they exceed this. For example if a question specifies an answer using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
and the correct answer is ‘black leather coat’, the answer ‘coat of black leather’ is incorrect.

In questions where candidates are expected to complete a gap, candidates should only transfer the necessary missing
word(s) on to the Answer Sheet. For example if a candidate has to complete ‘in the ________’ and the correct answer
is ‘morning’ the answer ’in the morning’ would be incorrect.

Candidates should read and follow the instructions and questions very carefully. In Listening especially, care also
should be taken when transferring answers on to the Answer Sheet.