| So you're thinking of taking the IELTS test and want | | | | answer then GUESS. When guessing use logic to try |
| to maximise your score? Here are my top ten tips | | | | to work out the answer and make sure you insert |
| based on my many years of teaching IELTS to a | | | | the appropriate answer style. You do not lose marks |
| variety of students in different countries. They are | | | | for the wrong answer and you may get lucky and |
| presented in no particular order. | | | | earn a few extra points. |
| Top Tip One | | | | Top Tip Six |
| Prepare, prepare, prepare....yes, I know it sounds | | | | In the speaking test - it may not feel like it - but this |
| obvious, but I have known many "over confident" | | | | is the one part of the test that you have control |
| candidates take the test with little or no preparation. | | | | over. To be in control you must be willing to talk, and |
| One candidate told me that they had lived and | | | | be positive. As with any interview first impressions |
| studied in America for over 4 years and so | | | | count - if you are asked a question give more than a |
| considered their English level to that of a native | | | | simple 'yes' or 'no' answer. Be helpful and willing to |
| speaker. He was expecting to score at least an 8.0 - | | | | answer questions. As a general rule you should be |
| unfortunately he only scored 6.5 because he didn't | | | | speaking about 70-80% of the time. Show the |
| understand the way the test works. A good | | | | examiner that you are fluent and have good |
| preparation course will prepare you for the test and | | | | grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Be careful of |
| enable you to achieve a score based on your true | | | | your body language - your body can take on a life of |
| English level. Look for reputable schools or online | | | | its own when you are under stress. Sit comfortably, |
| courses. | | | | with good posture and hold your hands together in |
| Top Tip Two | | | | your lap in a 'formal style.' Be aware that your |
| Speed! One of the criticisms of the IELTS test is that | | | | examiner may not come from the same cultural |
| it asks the candidates to do too much in too little | | | | background as you so controlled body movements |
| time. Many candidates find that they do not have | | | | are usually the best strategy. |
| enough time particularly in the reading and writing | | | | Top Tip Seven |
| sections. So what can you do?. | | | | In most speaking test interviews you will be asked |
| Start by doing a search on the internet for speed | | | | to introduce yourself - be careful not to become a |
| reading techniques - there are many good sites with | | | | robot: |
| some excellent tips. Once you are confident that you | | | | y ... try to be natural and friendly, a person who is |
| have mastered the techniques read some IELTS | | | | willing to speak and has interesting things to say. To |
| practice papers and time yourself. Is it taking too | | | | get better at introducing yourself write out a "2 |
| long? If so, why? Maybe your vocabulary needs | | | | minute me" on a piece of paper. Include information |
| improving or perhaps you need more practice with | | | | that you think is interesting and maybe a bit different |
| the speed reading techniques. In general try to read | | | | from other candidates. Then go out and practice, |
| as much as possible in the lead up to your test. | | | | firstly with people that you know and then with |
| Speeding up your writing can be just as daunting, | | | | people you don't know - is the content interesting? |
| especially when you have to come up with your own | | | | Does it sound natural when you speak? and so on. |
| ideas during the test to answer the question. To help | | | | How do people react when they hear it? Adjust the |
| speed up your writing practice writing out paragraphs | | | | content as appropriate. |
| from a book and time yourself - make sure that you | | | | Top Tip Eight |
| are not squeezing the pen too tightly, but use a | | | | Articles - many candidates find the use of articles |
| relaxed grip with a fluid motion. | | | | one of the most difficult tasks in English. There are |
| Listening takes practice - listen to English as much as | | | | two kinds of articles in English, the definite and |
| possible so that your ear becomes attuned to the | | | | indefinite. The definite article (the) can be singular or |
| language. Listen to the radio in English or turn off the | | | | plural. The indefinite article (a or an) is singular. Check |
| subtitles on a DVD movie. Try having an English | | | | your writing to make sure that you have included and |
| evening out with friends to practice both your | | | | used articles in the correct format. Use a good |
| listening and speaking - one group I knew used to | | | | grammar book to practice your use of articles before |
| have a small fine for anyone using a non-English word | | | | the test. |
| during the evening and they gave the money to | | | | Top Tip Nine |
| charity each week. | | | | Keep up to date with current affairs. Make sure that |
| Top Tip Three | | | | you read a newspaper each day because the IELTS |
| Make sure you read the examination instructions - | | | | writing tasks are based on items of general interest. |
| too many candidates just dive into the test without | | | | In theory no special knowledge is required to answer |
| taking this important step. The instructions can | | | | the questions but it is always useful to have a |
| contain vital information needed to answer the | | | | knowledge of topics that are of concern particularly |
| questions correctly. For example the listening test | | | | in English speaking countries. For example, you |
| instructions may contain details about the place | | | | probably know about global warming but do you |
| where the 'conversation' is taking place. e.g. the | | | | have sufficient ideas and vocabulary to write an |
| student dormitory. You might think you are saving | | | | essay arguing for or against the banning of cars in |
| time by skipping the instructions but it may cost you | | | | city centres? |
| in the long term. | | | | Top Tip Ten |
| Top Tip Four | | | | Writing word count - writing task one usually requires |
| Keep up in the listening test - unlike in reading and | | | | you to write 150 words and writing task two 250. If |
| writing, in the listening part of the test you have no | | | | you fail to write a lot less than the correct number |
| control over the timing. If you notice that other | | | | of words the maximum score you can be awarded is |
| candidates are writing and you are not then you may | | | | 5.0. If you write too many words in one task and not |
| well be lost - do not panic - listen for the sound of | | | | enough in the other again you will be penalized. The |
| other candidates turning to the next page and do | | | | best strategy is to keep an eye on the clock - divide |
| likewise. You may well find that you can get back on | | | | the time by the total number of words that are |
| track just by following what the other candidates are | | | | required for each task, generally 20 minutes for |
| doing.. | | | | writing task one and 40 minutes for writing task two. |
| Top Tip Five | | | | However, as stated before, read the questions |
| Don't leave blanks - in both reading and listening you | | | | carefully and make sure you follow the instructions in |
| are required to answer a variety of question types | | | | your test. |
| including multiple choice, gapfills, short answer and so | | | | Good luck with your IELTS test, and remember, |
| on. If time is short or you have no idea of the | | | | prepare, prepare, prepare! |