Recommendations for Preparing and Successfully Passing IELTS

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most popular tests for assessing English language proficiency. This exam is required for admission to educational institutions abroad, immigration, and work in English-speaking countries. Successful completion requires not only good English skills but also an understanding of the test structure and features. In this article, we'll share current recommendations, useful resources, and key points to help you score high on the IELTS.

What You Need to Know Before Preparing

IELTS consists of four parts:

• Reading;
• Writing;
• Listening;
• Speaking.

To score 6.0-7.5, you need to have Upper-Intermediate English or higher. However, even with Intermediate level, you can score 6.0 if you prepare well for the exam format.

Main Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Tricky Questions

Questions may include synonyms or paraphrases to confuse test-takers. For example, in the Listening section, answers aren't always word-for-word in the audio. It's important to learn to quickly identify key ideas and synonyms. Practicing with real test examples is helpful for this.

Speaking Test May Be on a Separate Day

The IELTS Speaking test might be scheduled on a different day from the written parts. Date changes are only possible in exceptional cases with supporting documents. It's best to plan for this in advance.

Proper Time Management

Test time is limited, and it's crucial not only to complete the tasks but also to transfer answers to the official answer sheet. This is especially important for Reading and Listening, where you need to transfer answers as you go.

Various Accents and Background Noises in Listening

The Listening section may include recordings with British, Australian, New Zealand, and other accents. It's helpful to listen to podcasts or videos with different accents to prepare. Background noises may also be part of the task, making comprehension more challenging, so practicing with real audio recordings is important.

Preparing for Each Test Section

Reading Tips

• The Reading test has three sections with increasing text difficulty. The first section usually contains short, simple texts on general topics, while the last one has a complex academic text.
• Tip: Start with the questions before reading the text. This helps you quickly spot answers in the text and save time.

Writing Tips

• You'll need to write two tasks: a letter and an essay (for IELTS General) or a graph description and an essay (for IELTS Academic).
• Tip: Always plan before writing. Allocate about 20 minutes for the first task and 40 minutes for the second. Don't forget to check your word count, as not meeting the minimum word requirement can lower your score.

Listening Tips

• The Listening test has four parts, each with different types of dialogues or monologues. You need to write answers while listening, as the recording is played only once.
• Tip: You're given time to review questions before the audio starts. Use this time effectively to familiarize yourself with the questions and know what information to focus on.

Speaking Tips

• Speaking has three parts: general questions, speaking on a given topic, and discussing a topic in dialogue format.
• Tip: Speak freely and don't be afraid to correct yourself if you notice a mistake. Prepare some phrase templates to start your answers: "To be honest, I think...", "In my opinion...", "One of the reasons why...."

Planning Your Preparation Time

If you have 3 months until the exam, you have a good chance to distribute your preparation effectively.

• First month: Focus on basic preparation and work on all exam sections using textbooks and apps. Start by analyzing the exam structure and taking one or two tests to understand your weak points.
• Second month: Concentrate on improving your weak areas, such as listening or essay writing. Add English-language video watching to your routine, for example on www.ted.com/">TED, and read articles from BBC or The Economist.
• Third month: Take as many practice tests as possible under conditions similar to the real exam. Work on exam strategies and practice transferring answers to the answer sheet.

If you have less time before the exam, focus on taking timed practice tests.

Computer-Delivered IELTS

The new computer-based IELTS format is becoming increasingly popular. It has the same sections, but answers are typed on a keyboard. The advantage is faster results (just 5-7 days).

If you're comfortable working with computers, this could be a good option. If not, practice before the test using computer-based sample tasks. The IELTS Online website offers examples of computer-format tests to help you adapt to the new version of the exam.

Useful Free Resources

Mobile Apps

• IELTS Prep App by British Council;
• IELTS Speaking Assistant for practicing the speaking section;
• IELTS Progress Check for online testing;
• IELTS Word Power developed by British Council to improve vocabulary, especially important for Reading and Writing sections;
• IELTS Exam Preparation by Magoosh offers video lectures, grammar and vocabulary lessons, and practice tests for all IELTS sections.

Websites

• IELTS Online — official test on the Cambridge platform;
• Road to IELTS — free materials from British Council;
• IELTS Liz created by a professional IELTS teacher, includes free lessons, tips, video tutorials, and exercises for all test sections;
• IELTS Mentor offers practice tests, tips, and strategies for all exam sections, as well as real essays and writing tasks;
• Test English — a website with free practice tests and exercises to improve Reading and Listening skills.

Textbooks

• Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic with real exam tests;
• Target Band 7 — a guide to achieving a high score;
• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS — a very popular textbook that includes tips from test developers and real exam tasks;
• Collins English for IELTS Series — a series of textbooks focused on individual skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) and ideal for targeted work on each part of the test.

YouTube Channels

• E2 IELTS — this channel offers video lessons for each test section and includes tips from professional teachers;
• IELTS Liz — video lessons on all parts of IELTS with simple explanations and examples.

Mental Preparation

If you're feeling nervous before the test, try simple breathing exercises to reduce stress levels.

The day before the exam, it's best not to overload yourself with difficult tasks. Watch a movie in English or read the news to maintain a language environment.

Additional Tips

To successfully pass the exam, it's very important to immerse yourself in an English-speaking environment. This doesn't mean you need to travel to English-speaking countries; it's enough to start regularly reading news in English, watching movies with subtitles, and writing down new words a few months before the test.

Remember that preparing for IELTS is not just about knowing English, but also about task strategies, mental readiness, and proper time management. Use available resources, study regularly, and you'll be able to achieve your desired score. Good luck on the exam!