The IELTS exam is a critical step for many Thai students and professionals aiming to study or work abroad. Understanding the common pitfalls can help you avoid them and improve your chances of success. Here are six frequent mistakes made by Thai IELTS test-takers and tips on how to avoid them.
1. Lack of Practice in Listening to English for the Test
Listening is a crucial part of the IELTS exam, but many Thai test-takers don’t practice enough. This can lead to difficulties in understanding different accents and fast speech.
Tip: Improve your listening skills by watching English movies, listening to English songs, and using language learning apps such as IELTS by IDP app. Practice with various accents to get used to different ways of speaking.
2. Misunderstanding IELTS Reading Passages
Many test-takers translate passages word-for-word, which can lead to misunderstandings and incorrect answers.
Tip: Practice scanning for keywords and skimming to get the gist of the passage. Focus on understanding the overall meaning rather than translating every word.
3. Writing Off-Topic Essays
Writing essays that do not address the prompt fully is a common issue. This happens when test-takers misunderstand the question or fail to develop their ideas.
Tip: Practice writing outlines before drafting your essay. Make sure you understand the question and plan your essay structure. Review and revise your essays to ensure they stay on topic.
4. Speaking with Hesitation and Lack of Confidence
Many Thai test-takers struggle with speaking due to nervousness or lack of confidence, resulting in hesitation and incomplete sentences.
Tip: Build confidence by practicing speaking with friends or teachers. Record yourself speaking on various topics and review the recordings to improve. Focus on fluency and try to speak naturally.
5. Limited Vocabulary Usage
Using repetitive or simple words can limit your score in both writing and speaking sections.
Tip: Expand your vocabulary by learning new words daily and using a thesaurus. Practice using new words in sentences to ensure you understand their meanings and contexts.
6. Poor Time Management During the IELTS Exam
Time management is crucial in the IELTS exam. Many test-takers run out of time, especially in the reading and writing sections.
Tip: Practice under timed conditions to get used to the pace of the exam. Learn to quickly identify and answer easier questions first, then return to more challenging ones.
Get ready for IELTS test
Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve your performance on the IELTS exam. By practicing effectively and staying mindful of these pitfalls, you can enhance your chances of achieving a high score. To help you prepare, try our free practice test. You can also visit our test centre at IDP IELTS Silom for a free in-house mock test. When you feel ready, book your test with us and take the next step towards achieving your goals.
