Top IELTS Tips and Tricks For Best IELTS Scores 2024

IELTS is an English language testing examination that assists students in studying, working or even immigrating abroad to English-speaking countries. IELTS is trusted by more than 12,000 institutions across the world. To achieve this dream, the candidates must have a good IELTS score.

The IELTS band score is between a range of 0 – 9. A band score of 9 is called an expert in the language, whereas a band score of 7 is considered an average score. 

The IELTS exam is of two types: IELTS Academic, which is suitable for applicants seeking admission to universities, and IELTS General Training, which is suitable for applicants seeking to pursue studies in a high school or a vocational training program or work. 

The exam is divided into four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The evaluation criteria for each section are based on parameters such as task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy. 

In this blog, we will learn more about IELTS tips and tricks for getting good scores in your exam.

Structure of IELTS Modules

The IELTS exam has four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. There are two types of IELTS exams: Academic and General Training. 

The Reading and Speaking sections are the same in both types, but the Listening and Writing sections differ. Only the Speaking section is conducted on a different day. All the sections are essential for doing well in the IELTS exam and achieving your academic and professional goals, so preparing well for each section is important.

Four sections of this IELTS exam are –

Paper	Task	Time
Listening	4 Parts (4 recordings & 40 questions)	30 minutes (+10 minutes)
Reading	3 Parts (40 questions)	1 hour
Writing	2 tasks	1 hour
Speaking	3 parts	11 -14 minutes.

IELTS Listening  

While appearing for the IELTS listening test, you must keep specific pointers in mind: 

• Give an overall look at the questions before the test begins.
• Ensure that the dates are written in the proper format.
• If you face any difficulty while giving the examination, you may raise your hand to resolve it. 
• It is important to practice British and American English before the examination.
• You should check if your headphones are working properly.
• You should listen attentively as the audio is played only once.
• You may take notes while listening to the audio.
• Proofread your document for any grammatical errors and spelling years.

Duration of the test	30 mins
Number of recordings	4
Total number of questions	40
Number of questions to each recording	10

The Listening section of the IELTS exam is pivotal for your overall score. It evaluates your ability to comprehend spoken English across diverse topics and accents.

Key Strategies:

• Effective Note-Taking: Develop efficient note-taking techniques to capture essential details while listening to the recordings. 📝
• Accent Familiarisation: Practice listening to various accents and speech patterns to feel comfortable with different English dialects. 🗣️
• Real-Life Context: Understand English as it’s spoken in everyday situations to enhance your comprehension skills. 🌍

Test Format:

• Four Recordings: Covering various topics, including social issues, education, science, and technology.
• 40 Questions: Assessing your understanding through multiple-choice, matching, and sentence completion formats.

Tips for Success:

• Stay Focused: Concentrate during the recordings, as you’ll only hear them once. 👂
• Practice Regularly: Familiarise yourself with the test format by practising with sample questions and recordings.
• Time Management: Manage your time effectively during the test to ensure you answer all questions. ⏰

IELTS Listening Tips and Tricks

• Be patient and consistent in your efforts to improve your listening skills.
• Create a listening routine that works for you, like listening to different sources daily.
• Choose topics that interest you and listen to various accents and dialects.
• Focus on the overall message without getting bogged down with the details.
• Take notes while you listen, and go back to discover what expressions or clues helped you understand the message.
• Look up unfamiliar words that you hear repeatedly.
• Practice speaking with a friend in English for a set time period.
• Try to guess questions you haven’t answered.
• Read the questions carefully before each section of a listening test.
• Answer with the correct number of words and write using capital letters.
• During the transferring time, transfer all the questions you’ve answered legibly and in the correct space, and then go back and try to answer the ones you haven’t.

Mastering the Listening section requires consistent practice and the application of effective strategies. With dedication and preparation, you can boost your score and achieve success in the IELTS exam. 

IELTS Reading 

IELTS Reading will be in 3 sections. Texts in examination come from various magazines, journals, books, online resources, and newspapers for a non-specific audience. The total text length will be 2150 -2750 words.

These topics are of general interest to undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The styles of writing will vary from descriptive to narrative and even argumentative. 

One text will contain a logical argument. These texts might contain diagrams, illustrations or graphs. Marks will be deducted for incorrect grammar and spelling. No extra time will be given to transfer answers to the answer sheet. 

Total Number of questions	40
Total duration of the test	1 hour

IELTS Reading Academic includes three long texts ranging from factual and analytical to descriptive and analytical. 

IELTS Reading General: It has three parts of the test:

• Part 1: 2-3 short texts.
• Part 2: 2 texts.
• Part 3: 1 long text. 

Key Strategies:

• Skimming and Scanning: Develop efficient skimming and scanning techniques to quickly identify the text’s main idea, keywords, and supporting details. 📖

• Vocabulary Expansion: Enhance your vocabulary by reading various texts and learning new words in context. Use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words. 📚

• Underline and Highlight: Underline or highlight important information in the text to locate it later quickly. This will help you save time when answering questions. ✏️

Test Format:

• Three Parts: Each part contains a different type of text, such as advertisements, newspapers, magazines, and academic journals.

• 40 Questions: Assessing your understanding through multiple-choice, matching, and sentence completion formats.

Tips for Success:

• Read the Questions Carefully: Before attempting to find the answer in the text, read the questions carefully to understand what is being asked.

• Time Management: Manage your time effectively during the test to ensure you answer all questions. Allocate time according to the marks assigned to each question.

• Practice Regularly: Familiarise yourself with the test format by practising with sample questions and texts. This will help you become familiar with the exam format and enhance your performance.

• Develop Critical Thinking: Develop your critical thinking skills by analyzing and interpreting information given in the text. This will help you understand the text’s main idea and supporting details.

• Stay Focused: Concentrate during the reading section, avoid distractions, and stay focused on the task. This will help you save time and perform better in the exam.

IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks 

• Read various texts, including newspaper articles, blogs, books, and textbook activities.
• Spend 20-30 minutes each day reading different texts.
• Look up common words in the dictionary to improve your vocabulary.
• Try different reading techniques, such as skimming, scanning, answering detailed questions, and summarising the main ideas.
• Choose topics of interest, but also read texts on various topics as the IELTS exam covers a range of subjects.
• Discuss interesting texts with friends and exchange ideas in English.
• Practice reading for speed by setting a timer and trying to read a text within a specific time limit.
• Read aloud with friends or record yourself to improve fluency and pronunciation.
• Familiarise yourself with the style of the exam and the types of questions you may encounter, such as multiple choice, short answer, sentence completion, and more.

By following these tips, you can develop the necessary reading skills to succeed on the IELTS exam.

IELTS Writing

The first Writing task is different in both academic and general. In writing, there are two sections- task 1 and task 2. The duration of the writing section is 1 hour.

Grading will be based on specific criteria. These include task achievement/response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy.

Duration of this section	1 hour
Number of parts of the section	2

IELTS Writing Tips and Tricks 

Let’s look at some IELTS tips and tricks for the Writing exam.

• Avoid using spoken English while writing answers. 
• Pay more attention to task 2, as it constitutes more marks. 
• Also, make sure to write neatly and cleanly, which is understandable to the examiner.
• Avoid repetition of ideas, phrases and words.
• Use active voice while answering the questions.
• Write short and precise paragraphs and avoid long paragraphs.
• The word limit for Task 1 is 150 words, and Task 2 is 250 words.
• You should ensure that you write a conclusion in task 2.

Also read:

• IELTS Writing Samples
• IELTS General Writing Task 1

IELTS Speaking 

Speaking tests for academic and general are the same. The speaking section lasts 11-14 minutes and is divided into three parts: Part 1 is the introduction round, Part 2 is the Cue card round, and Part 3 is the discussion round. The speaking test is shorter than the other sections.

Duration of the section	11-14 mins
Number of parts in the section	3

IELTS Speaking Tips and Tricks 

Here are some IELTS tips and tricks for the Speaking exam.

• Before speaking, listen to the questions carefully.
• Avoid answering doubtful questions. You can ask the examiner to explain the question again. 
• As the last-minute IELTS speaking tips, keeping calm and relaxing will help you to perform best.
• Focus on your own experiences while answering the questions.
• Speak clearly (slow and fluently).
• You can add supporting statements to your answer, but they should remain relevant.
• Be confident as you speak.
• Don’t take long pauses.

Quick IELTS Tips and Tricks for the Test Day

After all the preparation and hard work, following certain tips to improve your IELTS band score might be beneficial. Here are certain pieces of advice – 

• You must carry an ID. So, before entering the examination hall, check the documents required for the examination.

• Keep your belongings outside the examination room as instructed by the supervisor.
• Note that wearing a wristwatch is not allowed; rely on the clock in the examination hall. If you can’t locate it, ask the examiner for assistance.
• Mobile phones are prohibited in the examination hall. Keep your cell phone with someone accompanying you, or use any arrangement provided by the exam center.

IELTS Tips & Tricks Before The Test Day

1. Start early

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the test. It’s recommended to start studying at least two months before the exam date.

2. Identify your weaknesses

Identify your weaknesses in each section and work on them thoroughly. This will help you to improve your overall score.

3. Create a study schedule

Make a study schedule that works for you and stick to it. Allocate enough time for each section of the exam.

4. Practice, practice, practice

Practice is the key to success. Take as many practice tests as possible to familiarize yourself with the exam format.

5. Use official IELTS materials

Use official IELTS materials, such as practice tests and study guides, to ensure you’re preparing for the right test format.

IELTS Tips & Tricks on The Day of The Test

1. Arrive early

Arrive at the test centre early to avoid any last-minute stress. This will also give you time to settle in and relax before the exam.

2. Stay calm

Stay calm and focused during the exam. Take deep breaths, and don’t panic if you get stuck on a question.

3. Follow instructions carefully

Read the instructions carefully before beginning each section of the exam. Pay attention to the word limit and answer format.

4. Use your time wisely

Manage your time wisely during the exam. Only spend a little bit of time on difficult questions, and make sure to answer all questions before time runs out.

5. Stay hydrated

Stay hydrated throughout the exam by drinking water or other non-caffeinated drinks. This will help you to stay alert and focused.

Following these tips can improve your chances of success on the IELTS exam. Remember to stay focused, stay calm, and stay confident!

Final Thoughts

You can check the IELTS tips and tricks to improve your score to score a higher band on the test.  However, keeping the documents ready before the exam day can significantly reduce the extra pressure during exam days.

Additionally, as study abroad destinations increase daily, a high IELTS band will help fetch a good university by enhancing your eligibility. Aspirants looking to apply abroad must keep the rising fee structure in mind. This high fee sometimes becomes unaffordable for a few deserving candidates, which lets them drop their dream of studying abroad. However, Leap Scholar can help you with IELTS exam preparation and provide the best IELTS tips and tricks for scoring well.