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These tips provide helpful insights and reminders to help you do your best in each component of the test. Remember that test tips alone will not be enough to succeed in IELTS. In order to do well in the test you must prepare and practise your English during the months and weeks leading up to the test.
Find other essential tools online
In addition to the tips provided here, you should also refer to the many other IELTS preparation tools available at www.ieltsessentials.com including: • • • Information for Candidates booklet IELTS Preparation Checklist – a step-by-step guide to improving your language and test taking skills. IELTS assessment criteria – understand what the examiners are looking for in each section of the test.
1. At the beginning of each section read the questions for that section carefully, before the recording starts. This will help you to follow the recording and identify the answers. 2. After completing a section, it is better to look ahead and read the questions for the next section than to worry about the last section. 3. You will sometimes have a list of options to choose from as answers. The possible answers may be listed in alphabetical order and not necessarily in the order you will hear them. 4. Be careful to note word limits. If there is an instruction: Write no more than two words’, writing more than two words will mean you will receive no marks at all for your answer, even if some of the words were correct.
Listening test format (30 minutes)
The Listening component is the same for both versions of IELTS (Academic and General Training). There are four parts. You will hear the recording only once. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is used. Section 1: a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context (e.g. a conversation about accommodation). Section 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or about arrangements for meals during a conference). Section 3: a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a group of people planning a project). Section 4: a talk (e.g. a university lecture).
5. Try to listen for key words or synonyms (words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as another word) from the question to help you identify the answer. For example, in the recording you might hear: “She likes going to the gym and playing tennis”. On your answer sheet, this could appear as "She is an active person.” 6. You may be asked to write down words that have been spelled out in the recording. In order to do this well, you need to know the English alphabet and how each letter is pronounced (for example, the letter ‘W’ is pronounced as ‘double-u’). 7. Listen carefully for words which indicate which stage of the recording you are listening to, e.g. ‘firstly’, ‘my next point’, ‘to sum up’. These words will help you identify which question you have reached. 8. As you are listening to the recording, cross out options which don’t fit. This makes it easier for you to find the right answer. 9. If you are writing dates as an answer to any question remember that there are several correct ways to write them (e.g. 24th April, April 24 and 24 April are all correct). 10. If there are questions you cannot answer leave them and move on to the next question. This will help you to stay calm and positive. Go back to those questions at the end, if you have time.
11. After the last recording has ended you have ten minutes to transfer your answers from the Listening booklet to your answer sheet. Don’t make the mistake of copying these answers across to the answer sheet in between sections or you may miss important information about the next section of the test. Wait until the end of Section 4 before transferring your answers.
1 | Examiner-approved tips
The Reading test may sometimes include questions which test your overall understanding of a passage. The Reading passages always contain the information you need to answer the question. one of which may be composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic. books. each containing one long text.not the question paper. There will be no extra time to transfer your answers after the Reading test. 4. Texts range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. 2 | Examiner-approved tips . This will make it easier to find these details later. If there are questions you cannot answer.Reading tips Reading test format: Academic (60 minutes) Reading test format: General Training (60 minutes) There are three sections. 9. advertisments. Try underlining key words and ideas in each paragraph as you read to help you understand the key message of each passage. as is required under test conditions. magazines and newspapers. You’ll be reading real passages taken from notices.g. hotel advertisements). Then read each question again to remind yourself which parts of the passage you will need to read again in detail. Read every question carefully first before reading the passages. Section 3: contains one longer. 7. Texts may contain nonverbal materials such as diagrams. staff development and training). This will help you develop the ability to read quickly. When you come to reading the passage. If texts contain technical terms. 1. If you are asked to label a diagram. 8. if they come up in any of the questions. magazines and newspapers. 6. Section 1: contains two or three short factual texts. For example. 2. more complex text on a topic of general interest. then a simple glossary is provided. 10. To improve your performance in the Reading test you need to practise reading a variety of English texts. workplace facilities. company handbooks. You won’t have to use your own knowledge of a topic. read it quickly the first time in order to get a general idea of what it’s about.g. you will find the words you need in the text. Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country. Don’t worry about words you do not understand. Make sure you write down your answers for the Reading test on the answer sheet . and accessible to. The texts are all real and are taken from books. graphs or illustrations. circle them as you go along. leave them and move on to the next question. If you are copying words from a question or reading passage to use in your answer. The texts are appropriate to. 3. They have been written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest which means you do not need specialist knowledge to do well. This will make it easier for you to find the answers. if you have time. Underline possible answers as you go. This will help you to stay calm and positive. For example. 5. There are three sections. applying for jobs. official documents. pay and conditions. candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration. Section 2: contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues (e. Go back to those questions at the end. Be sure to copy them carefully from the text with the correct spelling. remember that your spelling must be accurate. company policies. e. Circle or underline key words as you read. the question may ask what the topic of a particular passage is. if a reading passage contains many place names or dates.
The examiner will see that your answer does not match the topic of the essay. Make sure you give yourself up to five minutes to plan your answer before you start writing. real-life examples to illustrate your points. 4. chart or diagram and are asked to summarise and report the information in your own words. You have 40 minutes to write your Task 2 essay. 2. Be careful to use your own words because the examiner will not include words copied from the question in the word count. and a conclusion based on the information you have provided. You do not have to write very long sentences to do well in your Writing test. Task 2: you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view. Make your position or point of view as clear as possible in your essay for Academic Writing Task 2. Responses to Task 1 and Task 2 should be written in a formal style. Task 2: you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view. You shouldn’t try to interpret or give reasons for the data. Notice the minimum word limit. Your last paragraph should be a conclusion which is consistent with the arguments you have included in your essay. Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an essay. The letter may be personal. Task 1: you are presented with a graph. semi-formal or formal in style. argument or problem. Topics are of general interest. If you write less than 150 words for Task 1 and less than 250 for Task 2. issues. Pay attention to this when writing. describe an object or how something works. 5. 8. table. suitable for and easily understood by candidates entering undergraduate/ postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. you will lose marks. Writing test format: General Training There are two parts. In your Writing test there are no right or wrong answers or opinions. do not copy the text from the question. Many candidates confuse singular and plural nouns. The examiners are assessing how well you can use your English to report information and express ideas. Australian and British spellings are acceptable in IELTS. argument or problem. they will become less coherent and also make it harder for you to control the grammar. Don’t forget to plan your essay structure before you start writing. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. (60 minutes) Task 1: you are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. 12. 3. not in note form or in bullet points. 3 | Examiner-approved tips . 9. the plural form for many nouns includes an ‘s’ – students. For example. to show the examiner that you are able to organise your main and supporting points. 11. articles. journals. You may be asked to select and compare data. table or diagram. 1. 6. describe the stages of a process.Writing tips Writing test format: Academic (60 minutes) There are two parts. Memorising a model answer for the Writing test won’t help you. Standard American. You should include an introduction. The essay can be less formal in style with a more personal response than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay. In your introduction. ideas to support your argument or opinion. In Academic Writing Task 1 you have to select and compare relevant information from data presented in a graph. 7. 10. Topics are of general interest to. You must write both your answers in full. If sentences are too long. Also leave five minutes at the end to review your answer and check for mistakes. 13. Use your own words. Take care to spell words correctly. Analyse the questions carefully to make sure your answer addresses all the points covered by the question. keep your response factual. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. You must arrange your ideas in paragraphs.
Speaking tips 1. Part 1: Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes) The examiner introduces him/herself and asks you to introduce yourself and confirm your identity. many numbers can sound very similar when spoken. There are three parts. Use your own words. The examiner wants to hear whether you can talk at length on a range of topics. 2. e. Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Speaking test format (11-14 minutes) The Speaking component is the same for both versions of IELTS (Academic and General Training). If you speak too quickly. 9. (e. You can go on to use other tenses as you extend your response. ‘Fifty’ and ‘Fifteen’ etc. You then have one minute to prepare your answer. if the question is ‘What kind of music do you like?’ (in the present tense) your answer should also be in the present tense (e. Use the correct verb tense when answering questions in the Speaking test. It is better to use simple. 7. Try to avoid repeating the words used in the examiner’s question. work. You talk for one to two minutes on the topic. 8. 11. Remember that you are not being assessed on your opinions. the examiner will give you a task card and some paper. In the lead up to the Speaking test. you must show you know how to use more advanced vocabulary. First think about the topic and then decide which is the most appropriate tense to use in your response. Answer in as much detail as you can. I haven’t always enjoyed that kind of music. 5. Practise the pronunciation of numbers to be sure that your meaning is clear. to show the examiner your full ability. and you are given a pencil and paper to make notes. 3. This will help you to use a wider range of vocabulary and grammar.’. so that you are confident speaking English during your test. You are given one minute to prepare your talk. family. ‘Forty’ and ‘Fourteen’. make sure you take the time to practise speaking English – with friends. For example. Try to answer as fully as possible and give reasons for your answers.. Part 2: Individual long turn (3-4 minutes) The examiner gives you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular topic and which includes points you can cover in your talk. you may make mistakes or pronounce words incorrectly. The test is recorded.g. Part 3: Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes) The examiner asks further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2. rather on your use of English. However. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic. Try to develop your response to each question − draw on your own experience and give examples. to get a high score. commonly used vocabulary and to use it correctly than to use advanced vocabulary that you are unsure about. 4 | Examiner-approved tips . e. studies and interests). Don’t just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. It will help you to feel relaxed if you imagine you are talking to a friend. You should use the same tense(s) as the questions on the card. You should also consider recording yourself. The examiner will assess you on how well you can express your ideas and opinions in good English. 4. The examiner asks you general questions on familiar topics. This gives you an opportunity to discuss more general issues and ideas. ‘I like pop music best’). For example. 10. Listen carefully to the question and notice which verb tense is used. so be sure to say them clearly. In Part 2.g. ‘Thirty’ and ‘Thirteen’. at work and on the phone.g. There are no right or wrong answers in the Speaking test.g.. 6.
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