Have you been planning to take your IELTS test and don’t know where to start? Here are 10 easy steps to help you prepare for IELTS exam at home.
Help me with the IELTS registration
How can I prepare for IELTS at home? Follow these steps
Step 1: Pick the right IELTS test for you
Your IELTS test will depend on whether you plan to work, study, or migrate to an English-speaking country. You need to take the IELTS Academic test if you are planning to study in higher education or seek professional registration in an English-speaking country. On the other hand, if you plan to study in higher education, seek vocational training, or want to migrate to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the UK you need to take the IELTS General Training.
Exclusively for the UK, IELTS Life Skills is required if you need to:
Apply for a family of settled person visa
Apply for an extension to a family, spouse, or partner visa
Apply for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship
Study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in the UK
Apply for professional registration in the UK
Step 2: Get familiar with the test
Once you’ve chosen the IELTS test that suits your requirements, you need to familiarise yourself with the test, including question types and test patterns. You also need to understand what IELTS is, the skills that are tested, and what the IELTS results mean.
Both the IELTS Academic and General Training tests are made up of 4 test sections- Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The question type varies with each section since different skills are tested with each section. While you prepare for IELTS at home, practicing mock tests is highly recommended since it’ll help you get familiar with the question types and time allotted for each section.
Section | Questions Format | Test Format | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
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, such as 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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 |
Step 3: Understanding Band Score
Your IELTS results are given out as band scores, with the scale from a minimum band of 0 to a maximum band of 9. Each band score corresponds to a level of competence in English. You will receive an overall band score as well as an individual band score for each section of the test. Band scores are reported in whole and half bands, e.g., 5.0, 7.5. Understanding the marking criteria helps you prepare in a more systematic way, hence understanding is quite important.
Step 4: 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.
Know your current English proficiency level
Step 5: Self-study and set goals
Self-study is the key when you are preparing for IELTS exam at home. It can be done by setting realistic goals, using proper knowledge of IELTS, and practicing English in an organized way. Instilling habits like reading an English newspaper, writing a letter to a friend, conversing with people around you in English, or watching English-speaking movies can make a big difference.
Step 6: Resources for IELTS Preparation
Official IELTS materials, study guides, online platforms, and language learning apps are an important source to prepare for IELTS at home. 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.
Step 7: 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.
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.
Step 8: 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 free IELTS mock tests here - Academic practice test, General Training practice test.
Step 9: Review and Revision
Revisit weak areas regularly, reinforce learning through repetition, and adapt your study plan based on progress. This iterative process ensures continuous improvement, refining your skills until they shine.
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.
Step 10: Prepare yourself for the test day
To calm your pre-test nerves, here are some things you can keep in mind to prepare right for the test day-
Arrive early to make sure you have enough time for the registration and seating process
Check in your personal belongings, such as your electronic gadgets, books, and notes, at the allotted place at the test center
Make sure you carry an identification card and the required documents if needed
Conclusion
Remember the IELTS journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused on your study plan, utilize the wealth of online resources available, and celebrate each milestone achieved. Your dedication and strategic approach to prepare for IELTS will lead you to success on exam day. Envision yourself confidently tackling each section and achieving your desired band score.