IELTS Test Preparation Guidelines and tips in Bangalore

IELTS Test Preparation Guidelines and tips in Bangalore

Whenever a candidate decides to take up an IELTS test preparation and guidelines, he or she must be ready to devote a lot of time, practice, focus and perseverance for the preparation. Many candidates do the mistake of considering IELTS test as just another English test. IELTS test is unique, since it assesses a candidate’s all the four attributes of English language – Listening, Speaking, Reading & Writing.

Before booking the IELTS test for the first time, or re-appearing for the test again, candidate should make sure whether he or she has taken all the necessary steps to ensure he or she is fully prepared for the test and has the best opportunity to succeed. Candidates should pursue the following steps in the months and weeks before the test. This will make the candidate feel more positive and ready to take the test./p

Primary Steps:

1. First step towards appearing for IELTS test is Registration for the test. There are 48 test dates (that is, almost weekly) per year and number of test locations all over the world. Candidate can locate the nearest test centre and book the test online. For more information, candidate can contact the test centre either through E-mail or phone or a personal visit
2. Secondly, in case, a candidate is looking forward to take up admission in a foreign college, university, institution, employer or organization, he is advised to check the IELTS score needed by his chosen college, university, institution, employer or organisation, respectively. Candidate can do online search for a list of over 9000 organisations which accept IELTS. In case the candidate is not able to find the organisation name he is looking for in the list, he can contact the organisation directly to check their IELTS specific requirements, like band scores required in each of the four sections and overall band score required

Developing the English skills:

1. Candidates, especially the ones whose primary or daily language of communication is not English, are advised to take up an English language course or training. Taking up coaching classes in English is one of the fastest ways to improve the English language skills. The feedback given by the teacher or trainer to the candidate helps him to improve the specific skills involved in speaking, listening, reading and writing English
2. IELTS Test preparation is different from a general English language course, as an IELTS test preparation does not just improve candidate’s English. Additionally, an IELTS preparation course will also help the candidate to familiarise himself with the types of tasks included in all the four sections – Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing of an IELTS test. Candidates should also refer to various study materials (practice test, notes, sample question papers, etc) provided by the coaching centre or trainer in addition to various reference books available in the market for IELTS preparation

Increasing use of English in daily life:

1. Candidate should inculcate use of English language in his daily routine life. Candidate should start listening to English language songs, radio, serials, television and films. Additionally, candidate should start practicing to listen to a variety of English accents including American, Canadian, Australian, British and New Zealand. This will particularly help the candidate in answering the tasks in Listening section of IELTS Test
2. Candidate should also increase his English reading habits. Candidate should start reading a variety of English texts like news papers, magazines, articles and books as his preparation for IELTS. This will particularly help the candidate to improve his performance in the Reading test by developing his ability to read quickly
3. Candidate is advised to start reading English Journals, News Papers and Magazines to increase his vocabulary as well as awareness about prevailing general societal issues. This will widen his resource bank of opinions and thoughts. Writing letters, emails, articles, blogs or notes in English whenever possible will also boost up candidate’s confidence to write in English. This will particularly help the candidate in answering the tasks in Writing section of IELTS Test
4. Candidate should practice enough to speak in English. He can practice at home with family members, at college with friends or at work with colleagues or at coaching classes with trainer. Another ideal way of practicing for a candidate is to record himself and listen the recording for self-assessment purpose. This will greatly help the candidate to boost up his confidence while speaking English during the test

For beginners, who hesitate to practice with family, friends or colleagues, it is suggested that they should start thinking in English. Anything that they think, should be in English. For example, planning their daily activities or summary of how the day unfolded for them. This way, there will be zero hesitation in correcting a mistake they notice while thinking. Gradually, they will develop confidence to speak and write in IELTS test too

Practise with Model / Sample Test papers:

1. There is a broad variety of IELTS test preparation material accessible for purchase at bookshops and online. Candidates should practise the IELTS test format through various IELTS model / sample test papers available in market
2. The candidate is provided with free IELTS practice / study material once he or she registers for IELTS test. The study material includes sample questions and sample responses with examiner comments for all the four sections of IELTS test. The practice material will also include a CD / DVD for candidate’s listening practice.
3. Moreover, candidates can also refer to various study materials (answering techniques, practice test, notes, sample question papers, etc) provided by the coaching centre or trainer

Penultimate day of the IELTS test

1. On a day just before the IELTS Test Preparation, Candidate is advised to again go through the ‘Information for Candidates’ and ‘Notice to Candidates’ brochure to make sure that he understands the test format and rules
2. Planning the Travel – Candidate should make sure to know how to get to the test venue before scheduled time. It is helpful if the candidate visits the test centre a day in advance to get an idea about its exact location. Candidate should also take care to get an adequate sleep and good amount of rest the night before the test to feel more relaxed on the test day

Test day

1. Candidate should keep ample time for travelling to the test venue to ensure he or she arrives before scheduled time
2. Candidate should bring his or her original passport or national identity card at the test centre. Candidate must have the same identification document that he provided in his IELTS Test Preparation Application Form; otherwise the candidate will not be allowed to take the test. Photocopy of the identification document or passport is NOT accepted to allow entry into test venue
3. Though many test centres provide basic stationary such as pencils, erasers and sharpeners, but still the candidate should carry his own stationary for the test