When you plan to go abroad, be it for higher education or professional purposes, the level of English you know is often the deciding factor for whether you can go or not. Especially in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, which are English-dominated when it comes to languages spoken, it is imperative for you to prove that you excel at English.
One of the most common exams you have to go through for the same is IELTS. Developed and jointly managed by the British Council, a solid IELTS preparation course can be the ticket for you to go overseas. This article discusses the IELTS test section, preparation for the IELTS exam, and tips for securing an overall band score of 7 or higher.
About IELTS
If you visit the IELTS website, you will find that over 11,000 organisations globally have chosen it for their language skills verifications. IELTS or International English Language Testing System is an ideal online practice test format designed to enable you to work, study, or migrate to a native English-speaking country. Jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English bodies, it gives the candidates an overall band score of 0 to 9 depending on how well they perform.
IELTS Course Details
The course of IELTS comprises four key sections –
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
The candidate will have to appear for the listening, reading, and writing parts on the same day with no gap in between. You get some leeway for the speaking module and can choose the time within a window provided. You can schedule it seven days before or after the date, and you can inform any of the local IELTS test centres when you want to take it.
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Breaking Down IELTS Preparation into Easy Steps
While it is feasible to seek professional help to optimise your IELTS score, you can also look into your write-ups to ensure that they align with what the examiner expects. So here are the IELTS course details that can act as an essential guide and tips to help you with your IELTS course preparation –
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Speaking
This is the most crucial and the most dreaded section of the test. The IELTS Speaking test is for both the Academic and the General Training section and requires the candidate to have a face-to-face interview with a qualified marker. It comprises three parts. The first part revolves around introducing yourself and confirming your identity. Then, the certified IELTS examiner can ask you questions regarding your studies, family, professional career, and hobbies. The second part is where the examiner assigns you a task card with a topic written on it. It can also contain certain aspects you need to cover. It is around four minutes long, and you get a minute to ponder and jot down the points you want to discuss. After that, you will have to express your views within two minutes, and the examiner can follow it up with some questions surrounding your explanation. The last part is a two-way communication process where the examiner will ask you in-depth questions about the topic you just spoke about. It enables you to speak more on the same subject and test your current English levels and explanation capabilities.
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IELTS tips for the Speaking Section
- Get in the habit of speaking English by conversing with your friends, family members, and other people you are in regular contact with.
- Work on improving your grammar and current English skills by watching English content, preferably with subtitles.
- When in front of the qualified marker, avoid repeating their question and showcase your lexical (vocabulary) knowledge.
Listening
The listening test comprises four different recordings, each of which can be heard only once. The first recording comprises a general conversation about a random topic between two people. The accent can be American, Australian, or British. For this, you will have to consume global English content to ensure that your preparation for IELTS is top-notch. The second recording is a monologue pertaining to daily social context. For example, it can be about a new shopping mall in the locality or a well-known shop getting shut. For this, you will have to keep your ears open and discuss social issues with your friends or close ones. The third part is a conversation between multiple people discussing educational or training contexts. It can be about an upcoming online exam or a general training they need to prepare for. For this, you will have to listen to debates and pay a lot of attention to details, such as the speakers’ names and core discussion topics. Recording 4 is considered the most difficult and contains a monologue on an academic subject. It requires your complete attention and remembering the intricate details mentioned in the audio.
Reading
IELTS Reading Test is an exercise containing 40 questions that you need to answer within 60 minutes. It is divided into four parts that become increasingly difficult as you move along.
IELTS tips for Reading Section
You cannot spend more than 20 minutes on each section. In addition, you must go through a lot of newspaper articles, advertisements, handbooks, and more to be in the habit of reading and comprehending what is being said.
Writing
The final section of the IELTS online exam is the writing task. It consists of two parts, Task 1 and Task 2. Task 1 is a visual representation of information. The candidate is required to explain the chart, describe the process, or explain the data presented in it. Task 2 requires you to present your views within 150 to 250 words. Here, you will be given a task card with a topic. These topics can revolve around sensitive issues, such as deforestation, immigration, or technology. You will have to present your views on the subject as part of the write-up in most cases.
Tips for Writing Task Preparation for IELTS
It is essential for you to improve your current English levels. For this, you need to pick up random topics and write regularly. It would help you garner a high score in the International English Language Testing System.
Let LeapScholar help you with your IELTS preparation
IELTS preparation is a tough nut to crack unless you have professional guidance. While it is easy to secure a score of Band 5 or lower, you will need assistance to secure a band score of 7 or higher. At LeapScholar, we have a proven way of helping beginners, and even pros sharpen their hold on the English language and optimise their IELTS scores. Click here to enrol in our batches and start your IELTS preparation in full swing!
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