If you're planning to book your IELTS test yet aren't sure where to start with your preparation, read on for 6 easy steps to get your IELTS prep off on the right foot.
Step 1: Choose the right IELTS test
The IELTS test you need to take will depend on whether you plan to work, study or migrate to an English-speaking country.
If you are planning to study in higher education or seek professional registration in an English-speaking country, then you will most likely need to take the IELTS Academic test.
On the other hand, take IELTS General Training if you plan to study in higher education, seek vocational training or want to migrate to Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the UK.
And exclusive to the UK, take IELTS Life Skills if you need to:
Apply for a family of settled person visa
Apply for an extension to a family, spouse of partner visa
Apply for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship
Study at undergraduate or post-graduate levels in the UK
Apply for professional registration in the UK
Our IELTS Life Skills page goes into detail as to which IELTS Life Skills test might apply to you based on your circumstances.
Step 2: Familiarise yourself with the test
Once you have narrowed down which IELTS test you need to take, get familiar with it - from the test format to test parts and the question types. Once you understand the test format and question types, prepare for test day by doing IELTS practice tests.
The IELTS test is made up of four parts - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Each part of the IELTS test has different tasks associated with it.
You will need to discover what IELTS is, the skills that are tested and what the IELTS results mean.
Once you have gained more knowledge about IELTS, you should decide which test is best for you, Academic or General Training.
Step 3: Learn about the question types
Both the IELTS Academic and General Training tests are made up of 4 test parts - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The question types in each part of the test are different.
Get familiar with the question types you might encounter in each test part, and the time assigned to completing the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests. Download the free practice tests to familiarise yourself with the different question types.
Our preparation page has some excellent resources to get you started.
Step 4: Understand the band scores
Your IELTS results are reported as band scores, which is a scale from band 0 to band 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 part of the test. Band scores are reported in whole and half bands, e.g., 7.0, 8.5.
It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with what each score means and the marking criteria that examiners use to mark your Speaking and Writing tests.
Our How is IELTS marked page has some great information to help you understand this.
Step 5: Study and set goals
It is important to study for your IELTS test, so use English as a habit during the time leading up to your test. Setting simple study goals can help you get ahead when preparing for IELTS.
Here are some goals you might want to consider:
Familiarise yourself with the band scores
Each band score has a set of defined marking criteria. IELTS examiners use these criteria to assess your English-language skills. Knowing exactly what an examiner looks for in a band 7 in your Speaking and Writing tests can help you set up the best possible study plan.
Make English a habit
Practising English every day can make a big difference. Setting aside as little as 5 minutes a day can go a long way - something as simple as reading English news stories, writing a letter to a friend or watching English-speaking movies can make a big difference.
Set up a study plan
Put aside some time each day to practise the 4 parts of the IELTS test. Set aside time for tasks that can help you improve - such as:
Reading English newspapers, books, journals, advertisements and books
Listening to English-speaking audio books, podcasts, radio and music
Speaking to colleagues, friends and family in English
Learning a new word every day or week and practice using it in a sentence
Step 6: Know what to expect on test day
To ease some of those pre-test nerves, get to know what to expect on your test day. Here are some things to keep in mind for test day:
Arrive early to allow time to register and be seated for your test
Check in your personal belongings such as phones, smart watches, books and notes
Bring your personal identification, that you used to book the test, which is needed for the check-in process
Add these 6 steps to your IELTS preparation plan and you will be better prepared to get the IELTS band score you need.
How to prepare for the IELTS test at home
Prepare for IELTS for free anywhere using official IELTS preparation materials. IELTS Prepare gives you access to a range of preparation materials at your fingertips: from practice tests, videos and articles to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.
You can simply access it from the comfort of your own home by logging on to http://ielts.idp.com/prepare and enjoy the one-stop-shop for all official IDP IELTS preparation materials.