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IELTS, recognised by more than 12,000 organisations globally, evaluates your English skills in four key areas: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. If your goal is to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country, preparing for the IELTS exam is important.
If you want to know more about the IELTS Exam, read: What is IELTS?
This article guides you to practical tips, strategies, and recommended courses to enhance your preparation, leading you towards achieving your desired IELTS score.
Choose the Right IELTS Test
The choice of IELTS test depends on your specific goals, whether it's work, study, or migration to an English-speaking country.
If your aim is higher education or professional registration, the IELTS Academic test is likely the right fit.
On the other hand, opt for the IELTS General Training if your plans involve higher education, vocational training, or migration to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, or the UK.
For those exclusively interested in the UK, the IELTS Life Skills test is appropriate if you are:
Applying for a family of settled person visa
Seeking an extension to a family, spouse, or partner visa
Applying for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship
Planning to study at undergraduate or post-graduate levels in the UK
Applying for professional registration in the UK
To find out which specific IELTS Life Skills test suits your circumstances, visit our dedicated IELTS Life Skills page for detailed information.
Get familiar with the IELTS Test Format
The IELTS test is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The duration of the entire test is 2 hours 45 minutes. Below is a brief of the format of the four sections.
Section | Questions Format | Test Format | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Listening | 4 Sections 40 Questions | Recording 1:
You will listen to a dialogue placed in daily life and context. Recording 2:
You will hear a monologue about everyday life or social context. For instance, a talk on the condition of streets in an area. Recording 3:
You will listen to a conversation between more than two people placed in a training or educational context. For instance, a teacher discussing an assignment with students. Recording 4:
You will listen to a monologue on any academic subject. | 30 Minutes |
Reading | 3 Sections 40 Questions | Section 1:
Two or three factual texts (short), one of which may be composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements). Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country. Section 2:
Two factual texts (short) that focus on work-related issues (e.g. company policies, applying for jobs, salary, workplace facilities, or staff development and training). Section 3:
Contains a slightly more complex and longer text on a generic topic. It will be passages taken from real notices, company handbooks, advertisements, books, official documents, magazines or newspapers. | 1 Hour |
Writing | 2 Tasks | Task 1:
Make a report on data for the provided chart, graph, process, etc. (Minimum 150 words) Task 2:
Write an essay on the given topic (minimum 250 words). | 1 Hour |
Speaking | 3 Parts | Part 1:
(4–5 minutes)Introduction and interview. The IELTS examiner will introduce themselves and ask you to also introduce yourself, besides confirming your identity. The examiner will ask generic questions about family, studies, work, and interests. Part 2:
(3–4 minutes)Individual long turn. The examiner will give you a task card with a topic written on it, with some points you may cover in your speech. You will have one minute to think and prepare for the topic; a paper and pencil will be provided to jot down your notes. Once done ideating, you will have a time of one to two minutes to speak on the subject, followed by some questions from the examiner. Part 3:
(4–5 minutes)Two-way discussion. The examiner will ask more questions related to the topic provided in Part 2 of the Speaking test. You can use this opportunity to talk about more ideas. | 10-15 Minutes |
You can take IDP’s IELTS Familiarisation Test here to understand the exam format.
Understand the IELTS Band Scores
IELTS band scores are graded on a scale from 1 to 9. Every part of the test gets a band score. The Listening and Reading sections are marked differently from the Writing and Speaking tests.
Band score | Skill level | Description |
|---|---|---|
9 | Expert | The test taker has a fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
8 | Very good | The test taker has a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
7 | Good | The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
6 | Competent | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
5 | Modest | The test taker has partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their field. |
4 | Limited | The test taker’s basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
3 | Extremely Limited | The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
2 | Intermittent | The test taker needs help understanding spoken and written English. |
1 | Non-user | The test taker cannot use the language except for a few isolated words. |
0 | Test not attempted | The test taker did not answer the questions. |
For Listening and Reading, there are 40 questions, and each correct answer gets 1 mark. The total out of 40 is then converted to the 9-band scale. To give you an idea, here's an estimated breakdown of how many correct answers you might need for each band:
Band 5: Around 16 out of 40
Band 6: Around 23
Band 7: Around 30
Band 8: Around 35
Band 9: 36 or more
Similarly, the Writing test is assessed by examiners who award band scores based on criteria matching each band level for both Writing Task 1 and Task 2. Your writing is evaluated based on four key criteria:
Task achievement: Did you complete the task as required?
Coherence & cohesion: Is your writing easy to understand and well-organized?
Lexical resource: How effective, varied, and fitting is your vocabulary?
Grammatical range & accuracy: How well do you use grammar, and how diverse is your sentence structure?
The IELTS Speaking test is done face-to-face with certified examiners. This section is assessed based on four criteria: fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Each of these criteria is scored from 0 to 9, and the overall average of these individual scores determines your total section score.
You receive a score between 0 and 9 for each criterion, and the average of these scores determines your overall score for the writing section.
You must understand the assessment criteria, which will help you prepare better and approach each test section more effectively.
Assessing Your Current English Proficiency
Assess your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking abilities. What are you good at? Where do you stumble? Identifying strengths and weaknesses forms the foundation of your preparation strategy.
For instance, if your reading skills are strong, you can allocate more time to refining areas that need improvement, like writing or speaking. If listening proves challenging, practice with various English accents, such as British, American, Australian, and Canadian, to familiarise yourself with the diversity you might encounter in the test.
Setting Clear Goals and Objectives
Set a target to achieve a certain IELTS band score. Break it down into smaller goals for each section. Establish realistic timelines, aligning your ambitions with a feasible study plan.
For example, if your goal is an overall band score of 7, set sub-goals for each section, like a 7 in Reading, a 6.5 in Writing, etc. Break these down further by creating weekly or monthly targets. This approach makes your goals more manageable and provides a clear roadmap for your preparation.
Creating a Study Plan
Time is your ally. Structure your study sessions wisely, allocating time for each section. Remember the importance of practice tests and mock exams - they're your dress rehearsals for the big performance. Consistent review and improvement are the pillars of your study plan.
Consider this: If you dedicate specific days to each section, such as focusing on listening on Mondays and writing on Wednesdays, you create a well-rounded routine. Additionally, allocate time for review and analysis after each practice test. Identify patterns in your mistakes and adjust your study plan accordingly.
Resources for IELTS Preparation
Now, let's gather your arsenal. Official IELTS materials, study guides, online platforms, and language learning apps are your companions on this expedition. The IELTS Official Practice Materials by IDP can be your point.
Imagine these resources as tools in a toolkit. You wouldn't build a house without the right tools; similarly, you wouldn't achieve your desired IELTS score without the right study materials. Use official practice tests to familiarise yourself with the exam format and develop a sense of the timing required for each section.
Explore additional study guides and books recommended by experienced IELTS tutors or successful test-takers.
You can access IDP’s IELTS Preparation materials and IELTS Practice course here.
Enhancing Language Skills
Enhance your language skills. Read strategically, listen actively, refine your writing, and practice speaking. Employ techniques like skimming and scanning for reading, note-taking for listening, and engaging in conversation for speaking.
Picture this: Reading diverse materials, from news articles to academic journals, broadens your vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Similarly, active listening involves exposing yourself to various English accents and understanding different speech patterns. For writing, practice structuring essays and reports and paying attention to grammar and coherence. For speaking, participate in conversation clubs and language exchange programs, or find a language partner to enhance your communication skills.
Test-Taking Strategies
As the exam day approaches, equip yourself with test-taking strategies. Master time management, decode multiple-choice questions, and develop approaches for different question types.
Consider this analogy: You would only go to battle with a plan. Similarly, facing IELTS without strategies is akin to walking into the unknown. For instance, in the Reading section, start by quickly skimming the text to get an overview before delving into the questions. This approach helps you understand the context and locate answers more efficiently.
In the Listening section, practice note-taking techniques to capture essential information. Remember, the goal is not to write everything down but to record key details to help you answer the questions accurately.
In the Writing section, allocate time wisely between Task 1 and Task 2. Plan your essay structure before you start writing, ensuring a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. In Task 2, focus on presenting a well-organized and coherent argument.
For the Speaking section, practice speaking confidently about various topics. Work on your pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. Feel free to express your opinions and ideas clearly.
Taking Mock Tests and Seeking Feedback
Mock tests allow you to experience the exam's intensity. Analyse your performance, identify weak spots, and seek feedback.
Think of mock tests as simulations - they prepare you for the actual exam, helping you build confidence and resilience. After each mock test, review your answers and understand the reasons behind any mistakes. Are there recurring patterns of errors? Are there specific question types that you find challenging? Use this information to refine your study plan and focus on areas that need further attention.
You can access IELTS Mock Tests by IDP here - Academic Practice Test, General Training Practice Test.
Review and Revision
Regularly revisit weak areas, reinforce learning through repetition, and adapt your study plan based on progress. This iterative process ensures continuous improvement, refining your skills until they shine.
Imagine your IELTS preparation as a sculpture. Each revision and refinement chisels away imperfections, leaving behind a masterpiece. Regularly revisit practice tests, review your notes, and focus on areas that need strengthening. Use your study plan as a flexible guide, adjusting it based on your evolving understanding of the material.
If certain concepts or question types are consistently challenging, dedicate additional time to mastering them. Create flashcards with vocabulary words, grammar rules, or key concepts to reinforce your memory. Engage in regular speaking practice to build confidence and fluency.
Conclusion
As we conclude this guide, remember: the IELTS journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Recap these key points, encourage yourself through the challenges, and envision success on exam day. Your diligence and strategic preparation will undoubtedly unlock the doors to your desired band score.
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