Never underestimate the power of going in well-prepared for the most important English test you would take for your academic career and beyond. Countless students across the world have achieved their goals and are scoring a world of opportunities with a little help from IDP IELTS. From securing places at top universities abroad to landing dream jobs, our test-takers have used their IELTS scores to make dynamic moves in their personal lives. But how did they do it?
In this blog, we’re sharing IELTS preparation tips straight from the sources – test-takers who’ve done the work and seen unmatched results. These are real students and test-takers who’ve faced the same challenges or anxieties you could experience while doubling down on IELTS practice. Their accounts could offer you valuable insights and practical advice to ace IELTS and achieve your target overall band score.
Alexandra: immerse yourself into the English language
Alexandra, an ambitious Russian student based in Thailand, has dreamed of studying abroad. To make that dream a reality, she needed a high IELTS score. Her secret weapon? Complete immersion in the English language.
"I started to read books, newspapers, [and listened] to podcasts, and tried to surround my mind with the English language,” while sharing experiences of IELTS.
This immersive approach helped Alexandra familiarise herself with different accents, vocabulary, and sentence structures, ultimately boosting her confidence and band score on the IELTS test.
How to prepare like Alexandra:
Listen to podcasts and audiobooks to hone your familiarity with different accents and speaking styles and read books on grammar and vocabulary to improve your English skills.
Read more to gain wider exposure to different forms of the English language; this can mean anything from reading classic literature to reading the daily news.
Leong: work on your weak spots
Leong, a determined student from China, had his sights set on the University of Sydney. He had already received an offer, but he needed a good IELTS score to secure his place. Leong knew his listening skills were his weakest area, so he focused his efforts on improving them.
"Sometimes, I just listened to BBC News to improve my poor listening skills," Leong shared. By strategically targeting his weak spot, Leong was able to achieve the IELTS band score he needed and fulfill his dream of studying in Australia.
How to prepare like Leong:
Read up on common blunders in the IELTS Speaking test and other pitfalls so you can refrain from making them too.
Check out IDP’s complete guide to the IELTS Listening test and other comprehensive resources on each IELTS test section, which will guide you through every part of the test from start to finish.
If you’ve already taken IELTS once and aren’t satisfied with the results, consider the IELTS One Skill Retake (available globally). It allows you to retake any one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) so you can get a second chance at improving your overall IELTS score without retaking the full test.
Yurong: watch videos and use free IELTS resources
Yurong, a test-taker from China, was determined to pursue postgraduate studies in Finance in the UK and knew that a strong IELTS Academic band score was essential for her Master’s programme application.
"I [watched] videos on the internet, and [I also] did some practice on IDP’s website," Yurong shared. This strategic approach, combined with consistent practice, helped Yurong achieve her desired band score and secure her place in a top UK university.
How to prepare like Yurong:
Listen to the Vodcast: IELTS Prepare by IDP, a 10-part video podcast series covering every step of the IELTS preparation journey, from understanding how IELTS band scores are calculated to focused episodes on each section of the test to what to do on test day.
Get a feel for the real test and identify your strengths and weaknesses with free online IELTS practice tests or the official IELTS Familiarisation Test. These tests simulate the actual test environment and provide you with an accurate assessment of your current English language proficiency.
Jeeveenraaj: familiarise yourself with the test format
It was a clear choice for Jeeveenraaj, a tech-savvy test-taker from Malaysia who chose to take IELTS on Computer rather than the IELTS on Paper.
His main reasons for doing so were convenience and faster results, stating, “There were more available exam dates and timing … as I had a very specific window to give the examination due to time constraints and other responsibilities”. He also felt that the computer-based assessment was more suited to his preferences as a “very straightforward and user friendly” mode of testing.
To prepare for IELTS on Computer, he utilised IDP’s IELTS preparation resources and online learning tools during practice, like the IELTS by IDP app and IELTS expert guided videos. By familiarising himself with the test format and making full use of IDP’s extensive resources, Jeeveenraaj was able to achieve a high band score and confidently pursue the next stage of his aspirations.
How to prepare like Jeeveenraaj:
Download the free IELTS by IDP app that grants you access to study resources and an exclusive IELTS Preparation Course, which includes expert-guided tutorials, practice questions and model answers, interactive quizzes, and more. You can practise at your own pace, track your progress, access hassle-free services like booking an IELTS test, access your test scores, and learn from various IELTS experts with techniques and tips to score well on test day.
Sign up for free IELTS masterclasses presented by IELTS experts, covering test preparation tips and tricks, common mistakes, and other crucial information for both IELTS Academic and General Training tests.
As the co-owner of IELTS, IDP provides IELTS test services in more than 2,100 test locations across 80 countries, along with an extensive collection of online IELTS preparation resources fine-tuned to help you succeed.
Ready to take the next step? Book your IELTS test with IDP today, and let us help you achieve your dreams!