How To Prepare For IELTS Test 2024 at Home (Section-wise IELTS Exam Preparation Tips)

How To Prepare For IELTS Exam 2024 – When it comes to IELTS preparation, we’re sure the most difficult aspect for you is deciding where to begin. You’ll need someone to walk you through the entire IELTS preparation process. So, yes, we have put together the strategies below to help you prepare for your test and understand what to expect. In this article, we shall know How To Prepare For IELTS all sections.

Before starting your IELTS preparation, it is essential to understand the specific format of the IELTS exam pattern and design. Familiarize yourself with each section’s questions and assignments. Examine the IELTS rules and regulations as well to get good marks in IDP IELTS result 2024.

How To Prepare For IELTS – Know IELTS Test Pattern

The IELTS  test has two versions-  Academic (A) and General Training (GT). Begin your preparation using IELTS practice questions to get a sense of what to expect on the IELTS test. Also, learn where you stand and do a progress check after a while. Take timed and untimed IELTS practice exams to understand your strengths and weaknesses. You can obtain official IELTS practice material that will assist you to prepare for IELTS test by allowing you to practice with genuine IELTS questions.

IELTS Test Component	Duration	Brief Description
Reading	60 minutes	3 sections, 40 items
Listening	30 minutes	4 section 40 items
Writing	69 minutes	60 minutes, 2 tasks
Speaking	11-14 minutes	3 sections, one-on-one interaction

How to Prepare for IELTS Test – Know Preparation Strategies

These pointers will help you in increasing your IELTS Academic test score:

1. Enhance your reading skill
2. Improve your writing abilities
3. Focus on your listening skill
4. Work on your vocabulary

Enhance your reading skill

This section assesses your skill to read. Long articles, short replies, multiple-choice questions, matching facts, and sentence completion are required. Academic Writing can be more complicated than General Training.

Make reading a habit, learn new terms, and employ them in acceptable sentences. Every day, read English newspapers and listen to English news. Develop your ability to seek details and take notes while reading by honing your skills. You must control the time constraint because you must respond in a short period. 

Be regular with the following exercises to improve your reading abilities:-

1. Spend Time On Reading: The simplest method is to start by reading whatever interests the applicants. It could be a single sentence, an advertisement, or even newspaper briefs. They may go on to heavier reading items such as extended essays, editorials, and short tales once the primary phase is completed.
2. Make Notes Taking a habit: Taking notes while reading is recommended. This will improve your ability to search for specific information. It’s critical to know what to emphasize and what to take note of.
3. Re-do the exercise: Reading a paragraph only once isn’t going to help. Walking over the entire reading process can be beneficial because it allows applicants to stay updated and remember what they had previously noted. When a person rereads a work, they may discover new points.
4. Rehearsing comprehension is a must: Rehearsing comprehension is highly beneficial to the preparation process. Because the test questions are dependent on comprehension styles, it is always helpful to improve comprehension skills. 

Supporting Points for IELTS Reading Test

• If you can’t answer a question, move on to the next one. Return to finish it later.
• Carefully examine the graphs, photos, and any other figures. Pay attention to the minor details.
• Thoroughly comprehend the text questions and locate answers inside the passage.
• All responses must be typed in capital characters. 
• Make sure your sentences are clear and grammatically sound.

Improve your writing abilities

Each version of IELTS contains two subsections in the writing section. It would help if you described a chart, graph, or diagram on the academic test and composed an essay expressing your point of view or argument. On the other hand, the test-taker is provided with a situation and requested to write a letter explaining the problem and the article in the general test.

Practice writing timely and work on improving your speed. This is the crucial part of ‘How To Prepare For IELTS’. List down the new words and use them to create sentences. Work on increasing your rate so you have more time to review what you’ve written. To guide you better, we have listed here the primary practices you should focus on:

1. Reading sample essays: It is always beneficial to read as many sample essays as possible. Analyzing the essays carefully and writing down relevant points is essential in structuring the paper. 
2. Write sample essays: Writing sample essays is a vital component of the preparation process. Before beginning to write the essay, keep the following elements in mind:
   • Making a list of all the ideas that occur to mind about the subject and then filter the major ones from the same list.
   • Candidates must decide on the direction in which they want their essay to go.
   • It is critical to stick to the point that one has chosen to proceed with when delivering an argument. In an argument, aspiring candidates should never present more than one point of view. It will reflect the invigilator’s perplexity.
3. Grammar practice: Practicing grammar allows test-takers to write essays and summaries free of errors. Because this is an English-level exam, one of the most important topics examined is grammar. As a result, all articles must be grammatically correct.

Supporting Points for IELTS Writing Test

• There are two subsections in the Writing section. It would be best to compose an essay where you express your point of view and describe a diagram, chart, or graph.
• Assign a time limit to each assignment, such as 40 minutes for a more extended task and 20 minutes for task 1.
• For the first exercise, write at least 150 words, and for the second task, write at least 250 words.
• Be careful to end task 2 with a conclusion.
• Avoid using the exact words and phrases over and over again.
• Use active voice in your sentences.
• Avoid writing long phrases and stick to the subject.
• Proofread your work before submitting it.

Focus on your listening skill

The listening section assesses how well you comprehend the language. It is divided into four sections and has 40 questions. Make sure your headphones are working correctly; contact the examiner and request a replacement.

You can watch the English news every day and write about it later. Remember that you can only listen to the audio once, so be attentive and improve your listening skills so you don’t have to pause it. If you want to listen to the tape again, go over the script again and note the proper expressions. Here are some of the IELTS preparation tips for the Listening section:

1. One-on-one interaction: As the name implies, the one-on-one segment is an interaction between two persons. Candidates would be requested to take notes on specific facts from the interactions, including a telephonic or generic conversation.
2. Group discussion: This involves a maximum of four persons interacting. As a result, candidates must confirm that they are comfortable catching up with multiple speech flows.
3. Monologue: This section includes a monologue, which is similar to speech. Listening to debates on television is one of the most excellent IELTS preparation ideas for this.
4. Speech: The test-takers must listen to a lesson in this portion. They’d pay attention to a speech in a social or academic context before answering a set of questions.

Supporting Points for IELTS Listening Test

• Use the time allotted to read the questions, before the recording starts.
• While listening to the recording, keep taking notes on the question paper.
• Be attentive to the recording and try to stay focused on the answer.
• Keep your responses within the word limit.
• Use capital letters for all your answers. 
• Before submitting, double-check for grammar and spelling errors.

Improve your vocabulary

To improve your reading skills, make sure you learn new words and utilize them correctly. You can learn new words by reading editorials and other periodicals. To create new comments as part of your everyday speech, you must use them repeatedly.

This component requires you to engage with an examiner in real-time. This section assesses your command of the English language. It will help if you communicate with the examiner in this situation. Thus, you must be spontaneous. It’s split into three sections.

In the first section, the examiner asks the test taker some general questions about their hobbies, academic history, family, etc. Here are some pointers on how to pass this section:

• Valuable response: Although it is preferable to be specific in responses, applicants can always include some fascinating information in their answers. For instance, if asked, “Where are you from?” They can also add some information about your hometown in addition to the standard questions.
• Be Spontaneous: Candidates must respond as soon as possible. Throughout the Speaking part, they should be prompt and responsive.

In this second part, test takers are assigned a topic and instructed to speak about it for at least 2-3 minutes, uninterrupted. The examiner assesses the examinee’s speaking abilities and knowledge.

• Think wisely Before Speaking: While it is necessary to be responsive, it is best to take at least a minute to think before speaking. It clarifies the candidates’ arguments and, more significantly, how they will begin their speeches.
• Have Proper Knowledge: Examinees should make sure they understand what they’re talking about. They should be able to communicate the main aspects of the topic to the invigilator.

The third section is crucial since it is here that the examiner asks questions about the second half’s topic. The examiner may present arguments based on the candidate’s speech or request the applicant to comment on a previous point of view.

• Remember previous arguments: Arguments from the previous exam section should be remembered. When offered a question, test takers should not appear surprised.
• Avoid ambiguities: The replies should not be ambiguous. It’s crucial to exude self-assurance and a willingness to respond.

Supporting Points for IELTS Speaking Test

• Listen to the questions carefully and respond confidently.
• Be fluent with your vocabulary.
• Make sure your responses are always relevant.
• Only ask to repeat the question if it is necessary.
• Concentrate on your pronunciation and sentence structure.
• Avoid taking long pauses.

How to Prepare for IELTS at Home?

If you choose to prepare for your IELTS exam through self-study, make sure you’re well-prepared for the planning stage. Aspirants should begin their IELTS preparation by focusing on the following points:

• Firstly, be familiar with the IELTS syllabus 2024 and test format.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the IELTS scoring system.
• Recognize your current level of English understanding and how much effort you’ll need to put in to prepare for the IELTS test.
• Make arrangements for the greatest IELTS practice materials.
• Be constant with self-evaluation and practice test

Study Material for IELTS 

To guide you in developing a study schedule, consult the following IELTS manuals and preparatory books:

1. E-learning: Online practice assessments for IELTS preparation are up-to-date online study material targeted explicitly towards the issues applicants experience, with over 100 hours of interactive exercises, instructional videos from experts, hints, and tips on question types, and downloadable download practice tests.
2. IDP IELTS preparation materials: IDP calls the IELTS Essentials Pack collection. It contains examiner-approved IELTS test preparation suggestions and thorough information to help you manage your IELTS journey.
3. Cambridge’s Official IELTS Guide: This book contains all the information you’ll need to get the IELTS band you want. It focuses on the language and skills you’ll need to perform confidently. It’s practical and straightforward to use.

What are the best apps for IELTS preparation?

A lot of online resources are available for IELTS preparation. Few IELTS apps that candidates can use to prepare for the IELTS test:

• BBC Learning English: One of the best apps to learn English. It is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
• IELTS Prep App: This is an official IELTS app developed by British Council and can be used by both Android and iOS users.

Also read

• Can I register for IELTS myself
• What is the date of IELTS exam 2024

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