IELTS Tips and Tricks

The IELTS Test can be a bit challenging if you are not prepared enough. IELTS is a three-hour test that evaluates you on all four language skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Here are some tips and tricks to help you become fully prepared for your IELTS test.

IELTS preparation tips

It is important that you start your preparation well in advance to secure a good score. Here are some IELTS test tips from IELTS Experts to help you prepare well and be confident on your test day.

Don't memorise answers

In your Speaking and Writing tests, the examiner will expect your answers to be natural. The examiner can tell if your answers are memorised which can in turn influence your final band score.

Use a range of grammatical structures

Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy all play a major role when an examiner evaluates you in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests. Make sure you use a wide range of grammatical structures to express what you say.

Practise well

Before taking the IELTS test, you need to practise well and be fully prepared in order to do your best on the test day. You can make use of our free practice materials to familiarise yourself with the test. The IELTS Masterclass sessions are conducted by IELTS Experts where you get your questions answered. You can also make use of the free practice tests and other support tools to prepare well for your IELTS test.

Asking for clarification

If you didn’t hear the question properly in the IELTS Speaking test or you aren’t sure what the examiner means, it is okay to ask for clarification. It can be a good idea to suggest what the examiner is trying to ask you by asking ‘Do you mean …?’. You don’t lose marks if you need to double-check the meaning of the question.  Asking for clarification can help make sure you are not off-topic with your answer.

Listening practice

In Part 1 and Part 3 of the IELTS Listening test, there are multiple speakers, so it can be a good idea to practise your listening with various dialogues, such as a TV drama or discussion panel. Part 2 and Part 4 of the IELTS Listening test only have one speaker, so some good practice can be listening to a short video lecture. Part 2 and Part 4 last for approximately 5-7 minutes, so it is a good idea to listen to something of a similar length.

The order of answers in Reading

Remember that some question types in the IELTS Reading test have answers that appear in order, such as True / False / Not Given or Multiple Choice. This means that you don’t have to begin with the first question and do them in order. Look at which question has something that is easily identifiable (e.g., a name of a person or place) and start with that question. Then, the answer to the other questions will most likely appear above and below this point.

 Quick IELTS test day tips

• Make sure that you carry your relevant proof of ID and the same identification document you used at the time of test application.

• Double check test location, date and time. Keep enough travel time so as to avoid being late.

• Don’t wear a watch as they aren’t allowed in the exam room. There will be a wall clock in the examination room to refer to.

• Listen carefully when the supervisor is giving instructions, and don’t be afraid to ask if you are unsure of something.

• Attempt all questions as there is no negative marking.

• Do not cheat or copy any other student’s work.

• Leave your belongings outside the examination hall, as directed by the supervisor.

• Do not take the question paper or answer sheet with you.

• Seek the supervisor’s permission before leaving the room.