How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam in 2023?
August 3, 2023
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English and communication test designed for people willing to study or work in countries where English is the key language of communication. It is developed to provide fair results for English language proficiency.
IELTS is collectively operated by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English language assessment.
Understanding the IELTS Exam
IELTS is divided into two different categories: Academic and General training in which your capability to listen, write, read, and speak the English language will be examined and evaluated on a scale of band 0-9 in the IELTS test which you can give computer-based or paper-based.
| IELTS academic Training | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|
| It is taken for study purposes. | It is taken for migration, permanent residency, and work purposes |
| The reading and writing tests in academic tests include topics related to educational and professional institutions. | The reading and writing test in general training tests includes topics related to common interests. |
| It is more advanced and slightly difficult as compared with general training. | It is relatively easier than an academic test. |
| The contents are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. | The contents are taken from advertisements, notices, and official documents. |
IELTS Band-score Chart
Your overall score is the average of the marks you attain in listening, writing, reading, and speaking evaluated from 1-9, 1 being the lowest to 9 being the highest band.
| Band Score | User | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert User | Shows flawless proficiency of the English language |
| 8 | Very-Good User | Shows complete understanding of English with occasional inaccuracies |
| 7 | Good User | Has a functional command of English with occasional mistakes, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. In general, handles challenging phrases well. |
| 6 | Competent User | With occasional mistakes, incorrect language, and misunderstandings, has operational command of English. Correct usage of complex words |
| 5 | Modest User | Has a limited command of the English language, with occasional mistakes, incorrect usage, and misunderstandings. Prone to making mistakes. |
| 4 | Limited User | Basic competency is limited to a familiar situation. difficulties in comprehending and expressing themselves |
| 3 | Extremely Limited User | Only capable of conveying overall meaning in relatively common scenarios |
| 2 | Intermittent User | The only use of single words and extremely simple short formulas |
| 1 | Non-User | Has no ability to use except possibly few isolated words |
| 0 | Absent | Did not attempt the test |
Setting Clear Goals
Setting goals for securing your pre-determined band score for the IELTS test encourages you to set your priorities and pushes you forward.
It enables you to acknowledge your strength and weakness and ways to cope up with them for attaining the band score. It helps you mold your study routine and improve yourself by researching, taking classes, and learning from several websites such as IELTS Liz, IELTS Buddy, and IELTS.org.
IELTS Exam Preparation
There are several ways using which you can achieve your targeted band score. We help you acknowledge your capability and prepare accordingly.
A. Online Resources and Practice Materials
Researching IELTS-related queries from websites on the internet helps you to expand your horizons of knowledge from beginner level to expert level. Some of the websites include Global Exam, Youtube.com, and IELTS Mentor.
B. Speaking Practice Ideas
Prepare yourself according to the format of different parts and be familiar with the exam questions. Be fluent and liberated, maintaining coherence while communicating. Make a good first impression and use a range of grammatical structures.
C. Reading Strategies
Develop your speed reading skills and read the instructions carefully. You should spend time developing vocabulary and paraphrasing limitations. Use skimming or scanning techniques. Have time management skills.
D. Developing Listening Skills
You should be familiar with the content of the subject. Don’t check your previous answers from the test when you have time. Be attentive if you hear words like “but” or “however”. Practice makes you perfect.
E. Excelling in Writing Tasks
Have knowledge of the use of complex sentences with proper grammatical range and accuracy. Extract ideas and context from magazines, editorials, and journals. Have coherency in your context and avoid using idioms.
F. Personalized Coaching
Taking classes from an authorized IELTS tutor helps you to get proper guidance and mentorship. The class helps you become familiar with all the IELTS resources. It boosts your confidence and motivates you to socialize positively.
G. Mock Test
Your mock test scores determine if you are competent to take the test. It helps you become familiar with the types of questions asked. Mock test strengthens your time management capability and helps you revise your mistakes for correction.
H. Vocabulary Building and Grammar
You must have proper knowledge of English language vocabulary, the use of linking words, modal verbs, and correct pronunciation. You must be able to allocate words that go together using lexical resources.
I. Time Management Skills
Don’t panic! Giving frequent mock tests helps you to learn time management skills while giving your test. You should have your own personalized plan on how you can finish your test without any errors on time.
Creating a Study Plan
The IELTS study plan helps you to make an organized timetable to get the required band score. Creating a proper well-managed study plan provides you with reminders, and allocates study sessions and research topics on IELTS. Having a study plan motivates you to broaden your knowledge of English vocabulary, grammar resources and be familiar with all the resources needed for IELTS.
You become proactive and well-prepared for the test following the guidance of any IELTS tutor or with the help of your personal study plan. You become able to split your study parts into smaller ones as per your intelligence and time which makes you diligent and increases your efficiency.
Test Day Tips
All of your hard work and preparation result depends solely on the day of your IELTS test day. Here are some tips to keep in mind for test day:
- Review and visualize all of your exam strategies.
- Get your passport and go through all the test guidelines so that you don’t miss out on any documents.
- Double-check the test address and time for your test.
- Gather up confidence and move forward.
- Reach in time at your venue.
- Always stay focused and avoid heavy food consumption.
- Practice your spoken English.
- Avoid getting stressed as it blocks your mind during tests.
- Be careful when transferring your answers and don’t expect to understand every word.
Booking and Fees for IELTS Tests in Nepal
How to book an IELTS test?
You can book the IELTS test in Nepal from IDP Nepal, and from the British Council on their official website. Here you will have to fill up all your information, select the date and venue, type of test you will be giving: computer-based or paper-based.
Fee Structure
| Test Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| IELTS on paper(Academic and General Training) | NPR 27,100 |
| IELTS on the computer(Academic and General Training) | NPR 25,300 |
Conclusion
Mustering up all of the above contexts you will be able to have knowledge on IELTS: its types, ways to prepare for it, fee structure, and tips as a whole.IELTS will definitely help you boost your language skills positively.
Since IELTS has the utmost value in the global market it is very much important to get a higher band score. Having a personalized study routine and guidance from an excellent IELTS tutor is required. Join us for genuine study and practice materials.
