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The IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) is a test of English language proficiency and one of the world’s most popular and respected forms of English in education and migration.
The IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) is a test of English language proficiency and one of the world’s most popular and respected forms of English in education and migration.
The test is intended for non-native speakers who are looking to study or work in an English-speaking environment. IELTS training is an internationally recognised system for testing English language ability in four categories: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
The test is intended for non-native speakers who are looking to study or work in an English-speaking environment. IELTS training is an internationally recognised system for testing English language ability in four categories: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
Preparing for the IELTS:
Preparing for the IELTS:
First, ask yourself:
First, ask yourself:
Which skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are you better at? Which ones need more practice?
Which skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are you better at? Which ones need more practice?
Do you need a plan for expanding your vocabulary?
Do you need a plan for expanding your vocabulary?
You may want to take a practice test to better understand what you need to focus on.
You may want to take a practice test to better understand what you need to focus on.
Learning about how the test is organized is essential.
Learning about how the test is organized is essential.
Types of IELTS exams:
Types of IELTS exams:
IELTS Academic if you are going to study abroad or need to show your level to a university.
IELTS Academic if you are going to study abroad or need to show your level to a university.
IELTS General Training if you need the test for migration purposes.
IELTS General Training if you need the test for migration purposes.
The Academic test has topics related to university and professional institutions, while General Training contains topics of general interest.
The Academic test has topics related to university and professional institutions, while General Training contains topics of general interest.
*IELTS can be taken as a computer-based or paper-based test.
*IELTS can be taken as a computer-based or paper-based test.
IELTS Test Organization
IELTS Test Organization
Listening
Listening
This section is 30 minutes long.
This section is 30 minutes long.
You will have to answer 40 questions based on 4 pre-recorded audiotapes with conversations related to everyday life or educational settings.
You will have to answer 40 questions based on 4 pre-recorded audiotapes with conversations related to everyday life or educational settings.
You will be examined on your ability to understand the main point of the conversation, opinions and attitudes of speakers, detailed information, and the development of ideas.
You will be examined on your ability to understand the main point of the conversation, opinions and attitudes of speakers, detailed information, and the development of ideas.
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Listen to different sources: interviews, academic lectures, movies or documentaries. They will help you to improve your listening skills.
Listen to different sources: interviews, academic lectures, movies or documentaries. They will help you to improve your listening skills.
Try to listen to different accents, especially British accents if you are not very familiar with them.
Try to listen to different accents, especially British accents if you are not very familiar with them.
Don't forget to review the questions after your test practice. It is important that you recognize your mistakes in order to learn from them and not repeat them.
Don't forget to review the questions after your test practice. It is important that you recognize your mistakes in order to learn from them and not repeat them.
Reading
Reading
This section is 60 minutes long.
This section is 60 minutes long.
You will have to read descriptive texts and then you will have to answer 40 questions.
You will have to read descriptive texts and then you will have to answer 40 questions.
They will examine your ability to understand the logical argument and the writer's opinion.
They will examine your ability to understand the logical argument and the writer's opinion.
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Practice with different readings of the test available online, and review why your answers are right or wrong, so you can understand your mistakes.
Practice with different readings of the test available online, and review why your answers are right or wrong, so you can understand your mistakes.
Try reading several texts about different topics. It is important that your reading abilities improve, either from academic readings, IELTS readings or magazines and books. Reading effectively in English will give you more time the day of your exam, and it will improve your vocabulary range.
Try reading several texts about different topics. It is important that your reading abilities improve, either from academic readings, IELTS readings or magazines and books. Reading effectively in English will give you more time the day of your exam, and it will improve your vocabulary range.
Writing
Writing
This section is 60 minutes long.
This section is 60 minutes long.
In this section you will be examined on your ability to describe and summarize information of the texts, graphs or data.
In this section you will be examined on your ability to describe and summarize information of the texts, graphs or data.
You will have to complete 2 writing tasks: either reports on academic topics for the IELTS academic, or written letters for the IELTS General Training.
You will have to complete 2 writing tasks: either reports on academic topics for the IELTS academic, or written letters for the IELTS General Training.
You need to divide your texts in paragraphs, and use advanced vocabulary and different types of linking words.
You need to divide your texts in paragraphs, and use advanced vocabulary and different types of linking words.
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
The most important thing before you start writing your essay is to understand your question. You need to answer specifically what is being asked, so you want to be sure of what they are expecting you to answer. Don’t go off topic!
The most important thing before you start writing your essay is to understand your question. You need to answer specifically what is being asked, so you want to be sure of what they are expecting you to answer. Don’t go off topic!
You can have a list of words that can be useful such as conjunctions, and linking words. Having a wide vocabulary will allow you to not be redundant or repeat the same words over and over.
You can have a list of words that can be useful such as conjunctions, and linking words. Having a wide vocabulary will allow you to not be redundant or repeat the same words over and over.
Before starting your essay, organize your ideas and main points in a rough outline. This would save you time thinking about your points, so you can focus on developing them.
Before starting your essay, organize your ideas and main points in a rough outline. This would save you time thinking about your points, so you can focus on developing them.
Speaking
Speaking
This section is 60 minutes long.
This section is 60 minutes long.
This will be a face-to-face interview with an examiner who will talk about different topics. Then, you will have a specific topic, one minute two prepare and two minutes to talk on this topic. The examiner will ask you more questions on the same topic.
This will be a face-to-face interview with an examiner who will talk about different topics. Then, you will have a specific topic, one minute two prepare and two minutes to talk on this topic. The examiner will ask you more questions on the same topic.
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Some tips for your listening preparation are:
Use your preparation time to organize your ideas. For example you should think “First, I am going to talk about this idea, then this one, and this one”. Try to check in your mind the order of your points, so you can save time thinking about it while speaking.
Use your preparation time to organize your ideas. For example you should think “First, I am going to talk about this idea, then this one, and this one”. Try to check in your mind the order of your points, so you can save time thinking about it while speaking.
Try to give your idea and then a reason, explanation or example for it.
Try to give your idea and then a reason, explanation or example for it.
When practicing, try to check your time to monitor yourself.
When practicing, try to check your time to monitor yourself.
Move your hands and make facial expressions. Imagine you are talking with a friend.
Move your hands and make facial expressions. Imagine you are talking with a friend.
Use an appropriate volume and intonation.
Use an appropriate volume and intonation.
Relax! The speaking part is one of the most stressful ones, so try to breathe and trust your ideas and skills.
Relax! The speaking part is one of the most stressful ones, so try to breathe and trust your ideas and skills.
Practicing
Practicing
You should take practice tests before your exam, trying to follow the conditions and time of the real test.
You should take practice tests before your exam, trying to follow the conditions and time of the real test.
The British Council website has books, practice tests, apps and videos that you can explore and use to succeed in your exam. https://www.britishcouncil.co/examen-ingles/ielts/preparacion
The British Council website has books, practice tests, apps and videos that you can explore and use to succeed in your exam. https://www.britishcouncil.co/examen-ingles/ielts/preparacion
You can practice a different skill per day, and then all of them together. This will help you first to know the specific section and learn from it and when you feel prepared, do all the practice tests in one sitting so you can check your time and energy before the actual test.
You can practice a different skill per day, and then all of them together. This will help you first to know the specific section and learn from it and when you feel prepared, do all the practice tests in one sitting so you can check your time and energy before the actual test.
Use Youtube channels such as L2 IELTS if you want more tips!
Use Youtube channels such as L2 IELTS if you want more tips!
Tutor advice
Tutor advice
Schedule your exam with enough time to prepare. I recommend studying at least 3 to 4 weeks before your exam.
Schedule your exam with enough time to prepare. I recommend studying at least 3 to 4 weeks before your exam.
Decide specific times each day to study for a couple of hours.
Decide specific times each day to study for a couple of hours.
Know which skills you will need to study the most. You could designate a certain number of days for each skill, so you will always know what to look for and where to start.
Know which skills you will need to study the most. You could designate a certain number of days for each skill, so you will always know what to look for and where to start.
Keep notes on organization, vocabulary, time, or tips you learn. Having written notes can help you to review more easily before the test.
Keep notes on organization, vocabulary, time, or tips you learn. Having written notes can help you to review more easily before the test.
Good luck!
Study resources
Study resources
This is a very complete resource with practice exercises and advice on how to improve: https://ieltsliz.com/
This is a very complete resource with practice exercises and advice on how to improve: https://ieltsliz.com/
Official sample test questions: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/sample-test-questions
Official sample test questions: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/sample-test-questions
Guide written by María José Guerrero - Site design by Paula Barriga for Uniandes Coffee Time
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