IELTS Preparation Tips 2024 - Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking

IELTS preparation tips 2024: Understanding the IELTS test format and preparing an effective IELTS study plan is necessary for any candidate's successful IELTS preparation. Following the expertly crafted IELTS preparation tips are necessary for all the candidates. These tips for IELTS preparation for beginners can prove to be worth it if they follow them diligently. Following the IELTS Preparation strategies can bring discipline to the candidate’s IELTS test preparation journey. The validity of IELTS score is one year and hence you need not give it again if you ace the exam in the first attempt.

IELTS: Vocabulary Guide | Reading Practice Tests | Listening Practice Tests | Speaking Practice Tests | Writing Practice Tests

IELTS: Sample papers | Preparation tips | Guide

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This Story also Contains

1. How to prepare for the IELTS exam?
2. 6 best prep tips to prepare for the IELTS 2024
3. How to prepare for IELTS in one month?
4. How to prepare for the IELTS exam at home?
5. IELTS Exam format 2024
6. The IELTS test: a complete overview
7. IELTS preparation: section-wise tips
8. IELTS test day tips
9. IELTS Preparation materials
10. IELTS practice tests

IELTS is one exam that is like a dream to so many students wishing to study abroad. To some, it feels like an easy way but for some, it's like the hardest. Achieving higher bands in IELTS opens your door to the best universities, gains scholarships, and also studies in a cross-cultural environment with immense exposure in a holistic manner. To score better in the IELTS exam it is necessary that the candidates follow the IELTS preparation tips and tricks.

How to prepare for the IELTS exam?

The IELTS examination consists of four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, And Speaking. All the necessary tips that can equip the candidates by enhancing their preparation skills are discussed in this article in detail.

IELTS reading test tips

Adhering to IELTS tips for reading and incorporating them into practice is an essential part of a candidate’s IELTS test preparation. In this article, all the mandatory IELTS exam tips and tricks on the Reading section of the IELTS examination are discussed in detail.

• Understand each question type and the smart strategies to solve each type of question.

• Refer to the highly sought-after IELTS Reading Tips and incorporate them into your daily preparation schedule.

• It is okay that you might not understand a few words in the reading section, just understand the question and search the answers with the help of keywords and synonyms.

• Remember that the answers will never be the same words but you will have to look for the synonyms.

• Understand which question type has answers in sequence and for which one you first have to read the passage.

• In case you are not getting the answers, do not get stuck, instead just move on to the next one and remember that you need to manage time and you will not get extra time.

• Remember that quick skimming and scanning do not work for most of the questions and to score high you need to read for meaning.

• At the time of preparation, you should get used to practicing difficult reading texts and see that you have raised your vocabulary level.

• Attempt a lot of mock tests online and offline before you register for the exam.

IELTS writing test tips

The IELTS writing section seems to be the most challenging section, however, if little effort is made on the below-mentioned tips and tricks, we assure you that you will be scoring a desired IELTS writing band score.

• Read the questions of the task carefully and plan your writing well in advance, this means in your total writing time you should divide 20 minutes planning the essay and 20 minutes of writing the planned essay, similarly 10 minutes planning Task 1 and 10 minutes of final IELTS writing Task 1.

• In the last 2-3 minutes, do not forget to proofread your writing section so that you can correct the minor errors you make.

• Another very important tip is to be aware of the various common IELTS writing essay topics asked in the IELTS writing task 2. This will help you to be well prepared beforehand.

• Always be careful, and do not over-write vocabulary words, a simple and well-explained essay will get you a high band score.

• Always ensure that you write a minimum of 250 words for IELTS Writing Task 2 assessment.

• In your writing preparation time, set aside some time to practice grammar so that you do not end up making any subject-verb agreement mistakes.

• Always practice in timed conditions so that you have a real kind of exam experience.

• Read and listen to authenticated English material so that you are not short of ideas.

IELTS listening test tips

In the IELTS Listening section, the candidates must answer forty questions spread across 4 different audios of varying length and difficulty. This section evaluates the proficiency of the candidate in the English language.

• Understand the test format properly and practice questions such as the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) that are frequently asked.

• Listen to a lot of authenticated academic listening material.

• Develop the art of making notes, this will also help you enrich your vocabulary. It is also important that you are aware of the various IELTS dictation words which is very helpful in the IELTS listening and writing test.

• Listen and be focused on the keywords like however, in addition, contradict, and so on.

• Attempt all questions, remember that there is no negative marking.

• Be careful while transferring the answers.

• Be mindful of all the important IELTS Listening tips and practice them.

IELTS exam speaking test tips

IELTS Speaking includes a face-to-face conversation with the examiner. This consists of three parts, an introduction section, a cue card section and an elaborate discussion on the topic spoken by the candidate during the second section.

• Analyze the test format.

• Understand the various IELTS Speaking preparation tips and practice them.

• Check the kind of questions asked.

• Enhance your vocabulary

• Practice speaking in front of the mirror to gain confidence

• Learn to create hypothetical stories.

• Join online groups to have a speaking partner to practice and seek feedback

• Seek feedback from a professionally trained trainer in case you are at a lower level and are not able to elaborate on the topic.

• Use brainstorming techniques to develop ideas and expand on them.

6 best prep tips to prepare for the IELTS 2024

1. Choose the right IELTS:

There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic and General. The IELTS Academic tests are conducted for education abroad while the IELTS General tests are for migration or work. Thorough research and guidance are crucial for making the right choice on which type of IELTS the candidate must choose to move ahead with their plans.

2.Understand the test pattern:

The candidates must be familiarized with the IELTS sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. They should also keep in mind the marking scheme and use the previous year's question papers for the research. Proper knowledge of band scores is also vital.

3. Prepare with passion:

The candidate must start their devoted preparation based on the chosen IELTS type and understand the various question types. The candidate must also choose the exam date wisely by considering their level of preparation. Setting a timetable and revision before the exam is also critical. Daily English practice through watching movies, writing, and reading news is also essential.

4. Be confident on the exam day:

Exam-day pressure is common, but excessive nervousness can impact performance. The candidate should be able to tackle this issue. Confidence is built through systematic preparation. The candidates must believe in themselves because doubts can undermine preparation efforts. Confidence and preparation are crucial for success in the IELTS examination.

5. Be resilient:

The candidates must understand that mistakes are part of the learning process. Learning from mistakes without being discouraged is a crucial aspect in the IELTS preparation. They must understand that each mistake is an opportunity to improve. Resilience is the key to success in the IELTS test preparation journey. In order to reduce the chances of committing mistakes, the candidates can refer to mistakes to avoid in the IELTS examination.

6. Vocabulary enhancement:

A wide range of IELTS vocabulary is a sign of a skilful speaker. Building a strong IELTS vocabulary is a major part of the IELTS preparation. Vocabulary does not just mean recognising a wide range of words, it is an attribute that shows how masterful a candidate is while handling a language. Hence enhancing the Vocabulary Skills is a must for the candidate.

How to prepare for IELTS in one month?

Although the syllabus of the IELTS examination may seem vast, and learning all that in a month might seem overwhelming, it is always possible. The candidates must take care of a few basic parameters to achieve IELTS success in a month including clearly understanding the IELTS examination pattern, learning the necessary techniques to answer various questions, and enhancing their IELTS vocabulary and language skills. To have a much better understanding of securing a high IELTS score in a month, the candidates can read this exclusively written How to prepare for IELTS in one month?.

How to prepare for the IELTS exam at home?

Now, the candidates have the option to practice and even attempt IELTS practice tests from the comfort of their homes. This has a lot of advantages as the candidates are not required to be physically present in the study center which cuts down a lot of expenses, study with flexibility according to their comfort, and can seek help much better. Now to achieve a good score on the IELTS examination, the candidates can:

• Completely understand the IELTS examination pattern and devise their preparation strategy accordingly

• Often take IELTS practice tests and review their performance.

• Use official materials and other resources to enhance their preparation

• Enhance their English language abilities to ace all four sections of the IELTS examination (Reading. Writing, Listening and Speaking)

If the candidates wish to learn more in-depth about the IELTS Preparation at home, they can read this well-crafted article- how to prepare for the IELTS exam at home

IELTS Exam format 2024

THE IELTS exam is conducted in two formats, one for students who wish to study abroad and the other one for working professionals or individuals who seek to have permanent residency in other countries. The only difference between the IELTS exam is as follows:

IELTS for students: IELTS Academic is conducted for students

IELTS for working professionals: IELTS General for candidates wishing to settle abroad either for work or permanent residency.

IELTS General Vs IELTS Academic

There are four modules in both general and academic IELTS. IELTS preparation tips and tricks apply to both academic and general IELTS. These IELTS preparation tips are also applicable for the beginners who are commencing their IELTS exam preparation. The four modules that are assessed in the IELTS exam are Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. IELTS preparation in each module is significant and should be done properly. Now let's check the format for both academic and general IELTS. the candidates can refer to this article on IELTS general Vs IELTS academic,

In the IELTS Examination, the candidates must attend four sections, Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The candidate must secure a minimum band score prescribed by the university or workplace to which they are seeking admission. The detailed examination structure and format of each section are discussed in this article.

Pen-paper-based IELTS vs computer-based IELTS (CBT)

Students have the option of attempting the exam both online and offline. The difference between both is given below:

• Both general and academic IELTS are available in pen-paper and computer-based formats.

• The format of all the modules and the question types all remain the same in both Pen-paper and computer-based IELTS.

• The only difference comes in the listening section, in the computer-based listening module you do not get the extra ten minutes to transfer your answers, instead, you have to do the same while you listen spontaneously. So the listening test is just for 30 minutes in CBT format and 40 minutes in Pen-paper-based format.

• The result of a CBT attempt is delivered much faster, students get their results in 3-5 days while Pen-paper results are delivered within 15 days of the attempt.

• While booking the exam, if you wish to opt for the computer-based attempt, you need to click on the specific option so that the registration is done correctly.

• The computer-based exam is conducted all six working days while the pen-paper-based exam is conducted only on Thursdays and Saturdays.

• Students attempting computer-based exams should have an accurate typing style whereas pen-paper-based exam students are expected to write very neatly.

IELTS writing test format

The IELTS writing task is different for both academic and general IELTS, the academic writing module has two tasks to attempt, similarly, the general IELTS also has 2 tasks to attempt. In both academic and general, the candidate gets only 1 hour to complete both tasks. As far as the IELTS Writing Section is concerned, referring to expert IELTS writing tips is always beneficial for the candidates. Let us discuss the IELTS exam format in detail.

Academic IELTS Writing Preparation Online - Components IELTS preparation online

There are two tasks:

• Report Writing: The report is on a diagram or data presented in the form of a bar graph, pie- -chart, line- graph, or tabular form. The candidates may spend approximately 20 minutes on this task and it carries a total of one-third of the total IELTS writing bands.

• Essay Writing: Essay writing carries two-thirds of the total bands in the IELTS writing bands. The essay can be opinion-based, advantages- disadvantages, problem-solution, causes, and effects for a given stance. The candidate has 40 minutes for this task.

General IELTS writing preparation online

There are two tasks

• Letter Writing: letter writing carries one-third of the total band score and the candidate is suggested to spend twenty minutes on this task. The letter can be formal/informal or semi-formal types.

• Essay Writing: This is the same as in academic IELTS, hence the candidate should spend 40 minutes to complete this.

Now, let us check the way these questions are checked and the way the candidates should attempt to score high. For this purpose, the band parameters given by the authenticated IELTS body must be referred to carefully.

The band parameters are differently defined for each band level (3-9) and are mentioned in the IELTS band description document of the British Council and IDP websites.

After reading the information in the band description, you might get confused about giving a band to your writing, so let us discuss the band parameters in detail.

IELTS Academic reading test format

• This module will be assessed in 60 minutes.

• There are three long passages along with 40 questions.

• No extra time is given to transfer the answers so you have to manage time cautiously.

• Each section will have around 13-14 questions.

IELTS general reading test format:

• The IELTS general reading module will also be assessed in 60 minutes.

• The module is divided into three sections with 40 questions in total, however, Sections 1 and 2 are further divided into 2 sections each. In simple language, Sections 1 and 2 have short reading passages that are generic such as brochures, advertisements, or a summary followed by 7-8 questions. Only the last section is a lengthy one with around 13-14 questions in it.

• No extra time is given and the candidate is expected to manage time appropriately.

IELTS listening tips

The IELTS listening section is the same for both Academic and General IELTS students, however, the students have high band requirements to attain scholarships in case of studies and also to meet visa requirements in case of permanent residency or work visa.

The listening module is conducted for 40 minutes in a pen-paper-based test and 30 minutes in a computer-based test, An extra 10 minutes for the pen-paper-based exam makes the students transfer the answers to the answer sheet, however, this also acts as a benefit of revision. The entire listening test is divided into four sections and each section has ten questions to attempt. To excel in the test, candidates must listen to authenticated BBC documentaries, and podcasts of native English speakers at the time of their IELTS listening preparation so that they can gain a high band score.

IELTS speaking test format

The speaking exam for the pen-paper-based attempt students is conducted on a separate date either 2-3 days before the exam or after 2-3 days whereas in the computer-based exam, the speaking module exam is conducted on the same date, maybe just an hour before the other modules.

The Speaking exam is only conducted for 15 minutes and the candidate is expected to speak on general topics and conversations. The exam is divided into three sections. The first section is a general introductory and generic question round, the next is the main cue-card round which lasts for about 3-4 minutes followed by the discussion round for 7-8 minutes.

The IELTS test: a complete overview

You can refer to the table given below for gaining a complete insight into how you must structure your IELTS preparation.

IELTS preparation: section-wise tips

As far as the IELTS preparation of the candidate is concerned, they are supposed gain an individual minimum band score in each section to clear the minimum band score criteria. The candidates are advised to go through these section specific tips to enhance their IELTS preparation with expert IELTS preparation tips and practice tests.

IELTS test day tips

The IELTS preparation does not end the day prior to the candidate’s examination day. The final stretch of the IELTS preparation of the candidate is the test day. The candidates can refer to various IELTS preparation books and other IELTS preparation material to learn about the various IELTS test day tips. Some of the most essential IELTS exam day tips that the candidates must follow are given below:

Have a good night’s sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for enhanced focus and concentration. Consider getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep the night before the test. Before going to sleep, try reading a book or practising relaxation techniques to keep your mind calm. This is necessary in the candidate’s IELTS preparation journey.

Have a quality breakfast: Start your IELTS exam day with a balanced breakfast that includes protein, and healthy contents. Avoid meat and fast foods because they can result in digestion issues and thus gastric problems.

Arrive Early at the exam centre: Plan to arrive at the test centre at the earliest. Arriving early allows you to mitigate a lot of issues, such as traffic or exam room confusion and provides an opportunity to settle your nerves and mentally prepare for the exam.

Ensure you do not forget any essential documents: Double-check that you have all necessary identification documents, such as your passport or national ID card, as well as your test confirmation documents. Without these documents, you may not be permitted to take the test.

Wear comfortable and permitted clothes: Wear comfortable clothing and layers that allow for ease of movement and adaptability to room temperature fluctuations. opt for clothing that is non-restrictive and familiar to you, minimizing any potential discomfort or distraction during the exam.

Practice Relaxation Techniques: Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or yoga, to calm nerves and maintain focus. This can reduce the temper and help the candidates to remain calm under pressure.

Listen Attentively to Instructions: Pay close attention to instructions provided in the question paper or recited by the examiner. Read each question carefully and ensure you understand what is being asked before beginning your response.

Prioritize time management: Allocate time strategically to each section of the exam, considering the number of questions and their respective difficulty levels. Pace yourself during the test to avoid spending too much time on any single question, ensuring you have ample opportunity to complete all sections within the allotted time.

Use breaks wisely: Use the allotted breaks between test sections to relax your mind and body. Take a brief walk, stretch your muscles, or engage in deep breathing exercises to reduce tension and maintain mental clarity.

Be positive: Approach the test with confidence and a positive attitude. Believe in your preparation and ability to perform well. Maintain a positive mindset, be resilient and always have an open mind to study and learn new things.

IELTS Preparation materials

The IELTS preparation materials are essential for ensuring that candidates gain enough IELTS preparation before the actual examination. The candidates can go through various IELTS preparation books online and IELTS preparation PDFs to improve their IELTS exam preparation.