Tips for passing the IELTS exam

1. The preparation time is important. I think u should devote at least 15 days.

Study at least 2-3 hrs. For the reading part. I have collected the previous editorial pages of an English newspaper and have read at least 5 pages daily. This is a very good practice. You should not only try to read this speedily but also try to remember as much you can.

2. Apart from solving the usual Cambridge books I’ll recommend you `HOW TO PREPARE FOR IELTS` by British press.

This book contains some really difficult passages. Try one passage at a time. Don’t panic if you get even half of the questions wrong for the first time. I was able to get only 8 out of the 14 first times. Once you are able to solve around 10 out of 13/14 you are definitely through.

3. Whenever you solve a practice paper always solve your wrong ones first before switching to the next test.

There are always some confusing questions especially the true/false ones. You must get the right answer by discussing with your friends or tutor. You’ll see the difference even after your first discussion.

Don’t worry this much about the exam. It’s really an easy exam. But the band scores for the your right responses given in insight into IELTS are true i.e. you have to score about 30-32 to get a 7 in listening. But listening is usually very easy. One piece of advice is to go for the IDP as they provide you with the earphones making the process even easier. The master advice if you still feel apprehensive is that in the morning of the test listens BBC for 1-2 hrs. And then go straight to the exam. You’ll be acclimatized to the British English and listening is usually the first part.

Writing is also very easy. Topics are such that anybody can write a story about them. Just don’t make grammar or spelling mistakes. Write simple sentences and simple words. Examiner should be able to understand what you are trying to convey. If you are giving the examples try to give them in international context. Indian context will do but international one is better. E.g. I got the topic that these days there is much violence in movies and TV. Do you think that government should take steps to contain this. I have given example of the use of Tommy guns by American school children under the influence of movies. Hope you have got the point. Also be sure to write 150/250 words. A, an and the are not counted as words. So exclude them while counting.