IELTS for Beginners: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

If you are a beginner, getting ready for your IELTS is straightforward, provided you are organized in your approach. First, decide on the type of IELTS test you need to take, because this will help you understand the test format and figure out what skills you need to focus on.

IELTS preparation for beginners can take many forms, but it always starts with understanding the test format. Once that's done, it's much easier to put together a daily study plan, review IELTS books for beginners, and focus on actual exam preparation. This blog offers tips on how you can build a study plan to help you achieve your desired score.

If you're not sure where to start with your IELTS preparation, try IELTS by IDP's English self-assessment tool. It's a series of questions that gauges how comfortable you are with the language and uses your responses to offer tips and resources to help you improve your Listening and Reading skills.

It is also important to spend some time trying to understand the test a little better, because this can help you identify components that require more preparation time. You can then allocate study hours more effectively.

Finding Your Target IELTS Score

Your target IELTS score is determined by what your goal is and what you have to prove your English language proficiency for. If it’s an academic goal, your target score will be determined by what the university or program requirements are. The University of Toronto, for example, stipulates that the minimum requirement for international student applicants is an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5, with no band below 6.0.

If it’s for Canadian immigration, the stream or pathway you’re applying to will determine what you need to score. According to the IRCC, the minimum score for the Express Entry pathway is a CLB 7, which is the equivalent of a 6.0 in all four components of an IELTS General Training test.

Exact cutoffs may differ depending on the specific program or country you need an English language proficiency test for. Always identify your exact requirements for an institution or visa, understand how the IELTS scoring system works, and then take an official practice test to see where you stand.

IELTS Target Score for Education

This will vary by institution and program, so it is recommended that you always check your school’s website for current requirements. Here’s what Canadian universities typically require:

IELTS Target Score for Immigration

If you are taking IELTS for immigration to Canada, your score will directly affect your application because a higher score means more points or better visa options. It is important to note that the IRCC requires the IELTS General Training, not the IELTS Academic.

If you are applying via the Express Entry pathway, your IELTS score will convert to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels, which can affect your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

Learning the IELTS Test Format Before Studying

There are two IELTS tests available, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, both of which have the following components:

• Writing

• Reading

• Listening

• Speaking

IELTS Academic is suitable for individuals looking to study at a university in an English-speaking country. IELTS General Training is taken by individuals looking to study, work and live in English-speaking countries like Canada.

Reading This component is designed to test your ability in:

• reading for the gist of a passage, or for the main ideas

• reading for detail, skimming, and scanning

• understanding logical arguments and their meanings

The objectives are similar for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, but the content of text passages will be different.

Writing This component is designed to test your ability to:

• Present your point of view or argument

• Showcase your vocabulary and grammar appropriately

• Explain the information presented in data, diagrams, and charts

The objectives are similar for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, but topics and tasks will be different.

Listening This component is designed to test your ability to:

• understand the main ideas and detailed factual information

• identify the opinions, stances, and attitudes of the speakers

• follow the development of ideas and arguments

The test format is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training.

Speaking This component is designed to test your use of spoken English and will be a conversation between you and an examiner. It will be conducted as closely as possible to a real-life engaging interaction, and is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. It will assess your ability to:

• Showcase fluency and coherence in your speech

• Demonstrate your range of vocabulary and how accurately you use it

• Hold a smooth conversation with good pronunciation

• Showcase your opinion, discuss around it, and justify your viewpoints

Creating a Simple Daily Study Plan

Mastering the IELTS requires diligence, skill, and effective time management. When you master time management, you are not just preparing for the test but also developing a skill that will benefit your future academic and professional goals.

There are several practical strategies to manage your study methods effectively, balancing the demands of each IELTS section. The first step is understanding the test structure and assessing your abilities, after which you can move on to setting goals. Short-term goals can offer immediate, tangible achievements, while broader, long-term goals can lead to achieving a specific band score.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind while creating a personalized study method that aligns with your goals and lifestyle:

• Identify and focus on your weaker areas

• Integrate IELTS practice into your daily routine

• Maintain a healthy study-life balance

• Create a study method that includes breaks

• Develop a week-by-week plan

• Divide the syllabus into manageable portions

• Incorporate regular mock tests and coaching sessions

Building a simple study plan is possible when you learn how to use your time wisely and focus on what matters. Preparation time varies for everyone and depends upon your language skills, but every day can count if you have focus and discipline. Before setting up a plan, here's what you should keep in mind:

• Make sure your goals are realistic: Understand your target band score and what you will need to achieve it

• Know your strengths and weaknesses: Try the IELTS English self-assessment tool to check your skills

• Strategy can make all the difference: Use official IELTS materials wherever possible to avoid common mistakes

• Routines are important: Be realistic about time and recognize that short breaks can help improve memory

Improving Your Listening and Reading Skills

This involves practicing active engagement that can help you process language better while reinforcing comprehension. Some of the ways you can improve your listening skills are by choosing methods that align with your learning style and current ability. Start by choosing topics that interest you, because studying something you enjoy can help you stay motivated and absorb vocabulary more easily. Always select listening material that is appropriate for your current band level. Also, try the 'listen, read, and repeat' method because it can improve comprehension and pronunciation.

Here are a few other things you can consider doing:

• Listen and read together: Try watching an interview and reading the transcript simultaneously

• Learn to practice dictation: Listen to audio clips, write down what you hear, then review what you have written

• Practice subvocalization: Try mentally sounding out a word while reading it

• Focus on improving vocabulary: Read texts that offer new words so you can acquire a new vocabulary

Practicing Writing in a Clear and Simple Way

One of the most important things you can do to write better is take the time to read what you have written aloud. This can help you identify phrases that are awkward, eliminate filler words, and create sentences that focus on one clear idea. Here are a few other things you can do:

• Copy out paragraphs or quotes by great writers

• Edit by removing words that don’t add new meaning

• Write anything that comes to mind for 10 minutes

• Try using strong verbs that show action

Speaking English More Confidently Every Day

This is something that comes from habit and small steps taken daily. One of the best things you can do is record yourself and play it back to see how you come across. Are you clear? Are you communicating or trying to be perfect? Here are some other things you can do daily to improve your speaking skills:

• Try learning complete phrases instead of just specific words

• Think about your listener instead of how you sound

• Remember that your message is more important than how you convey it

• Try talking to yourself about something you are seeing or doing

• Practice speaking English whenever you can in everyday situations
  

Using Mock Tests to Check Your Progress

The key to successful practice for the IELTS is to vary how you prepare for test day. You can use the IELTS Progress Check to check how you are progressing with your test preparation. Once you complete an official IELTS practice test, you can look at your indicative scores and read the feedback you receive on all components of your test.

Test takers can choose Academic or General Training tests, each of which are completely different and contains new test materials. These practice tests are official partner products, meaning that test takers will get a very realistic test experience in all four components of the test.

Explore our official IDP IELTS preparation materials and IELTS practice tests.

Managing Time During the IELTS Test

Mock tests are a great way to build time management skills for the IELTS. Regular practice helps with getting used to the format, improving your reading speed and comprehension, enhancing writing fluency, and increasing confidence when it comes to answering, listening and speaking questions.

Here are a few tips on how you can manage your time better, along with strategies to approach multiple-choice questions, efficient typing techniques, and the importance of practice.

Avoiding Common IELTS Preparation Mistakes

One thing that tends to put a lot of test takers on the back foot* when it comes to IELTS preparation, is time management. It’s one of the more common preparation mistakes because not keeping track of the clock can lead to rushing and pulling down your band score in a component that can affect your overall score.

Here are a few other common mistakes that occur and can easily be avoided:

• Not watching your grammar: Sidestepping common grammar mistakes can have a significant impact on Writing as well as Speaking

• Not paying attention to the format: Familiarizing yourself with question types can stop you from missing important instructions

• Not speaking naturally: This occurs when test takers rely on rehearsed phrases or templates, which a trained examiner can catch easily

• Not proofreading your work: Putting aside just 5 minutes to look over what you have completed can make a world of difference

• Not focusing on details: One-sentence responses or one-word answers fail to display vocabulary and fluency

If you want to maximize your IELTS score, take as many practice tests as possible, stick to timed conditions, and always check your responses.

Here are three solid indicators that you are ready for the IELTS:

1. You can understand a significant amount of the material

One of the clearest signs is your ability to comprehend at least 80% of the English material you encounter, whether it is a movie, book, or podcast. Being able to grasp the gist of what you are consuming is crucial and indicates that your language skills are strong enough to handle the variety of material presented in the IELTS test.

2. You can ace the practice tests

If you score well on practice tests consistently, it is a good indicator that you are on the right track. It is even better if you complete them within set time limits because they closely simulate actual test conditions. Review your scores and performance critically, focusing on areas where you might still need improvement. Also, if you can get it, feedback from IELTS professionals is invaluable.

3. You are less hesitant

When you find yourself hesitating less in your use of English, this is a sign of growing confidence in your language capabilities. Speaking naturally and articulating your ideas without frequent pauses shows that your fluency has improved. If you no longer need to translate thoughts from your first language into English, you are ready for the IELTS.

*The phrase "on the back foot" is an idiom that means you are in a defensive, disadvantaged, or reactive position.