41 Things You Wish You Knew About a High Score for General IELTS™

Winfield Trivette II, MA

• Publisher: Winn Trivette II, MA
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9798201522117
• Topic: Langues et linguistique
• Subtopic: Langue anglaise

Don't fear the General IELTS test!

Now you have these 41 recommendations that will improve both your IELTS and English skills before the test.

Take the exam once and get the score you need!

Use these helpful suggestions from a veteran expert IELTS instructor who gives his own students the same advice.

Use this convenient eText to study for the high score on the exam that you seek – and deserve!

Win the battle against the clock by saving time and avoiding common mistakes on test day with the advice, tips and clear explanations in this IELTS preparation guide.

Plus, sign up for Teacher Winn's General IELTS email blog for more practice to extend your learning so you are better prepared for success on exam day!

Study 41 Things You Wish You Knew About a High Score for General IELTS for latest test-taking strategies to be successful on exam day.

Chapter 1: Assess your level of English fluency.

How strong are your English skills?

You need a very high level of English fluency and IELTS skills to nab an optimal score on the exam!

The first step you should take to prepare for the IELTS  exam is to know your beginning level of English.

Why? Your English level now determines how long it will take you to be ready to present the exam.

If your English is not at a sufficient level to even contemplate success on the test, it is better to first strengthen your language skills first and prepare for the IELTS second.

English fluency for the exam just does not center on your gift for speaking the language without hesitation.

Fluency for the IELTS means you can also write well (under pressure) and read academic texts and understand college-level audio.

Plus, you need a strong vocabulary and good grammar to achieve the highest score possible.

The IELTS is an expensive test.

Save your cash and get your English Skills and Fluency rating.

Only sign up for the IELTS test when you are ready. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Chapter 2: Prepare 3 months ahead of the test date

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

You’ve decided to take the IELTS exam. Great!

Register today and establish the goal of IELTS and English proficiency before that test date.

Then, take the next three months to prepare for success on exam day.

From my own experience – over a decade – of preparing students for the exam, three months (classes of 3 hours a week – at least) is sufficient to take both your English and IELTS skills up a notch.

Take your time to build up both your English and IELTS test-taking skills.

In three months, focusing on the test allows you the time to build both your English and IELTS skills.

I always tell my students: IELTS success is ½ IELTS skills and ½ English skills.

Depending on your self-assessment (or with a veteran English instructor), you need time to strengthen your test specific skills and your overall language skills before attempting the exam.

Plan your study prep time wisely to efficiently maximize your readiness on exam day.

You learn about a proposed study plan in the next chapter.

Chapter 3: Personalize your study plan.

You have one, right?

By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin.

Do you have a study plan to get the highest score possible on the IELTS exam?

How much time do you have free every day?

Yes, every day.

Remember, preparing for the exam is like training for a marathon.

Take every opportunity to study for the exam. Don’t wait.

If that means getting up early on a weekend, make sure you take advantage of opportunities to squeeze in extra time!

IELTS Study Plan – Listening Section

First, learn about the Listening Section of the exam: the directions, the types of listening exercises, and the time limits.

Do an assessment of how your current skills match up with the test requirements.

Second, know how to listen and write notes at the same time like you would in a typical classroom.

Listen to TED lectures on YouTube and practice taking notes. Are you able to capture the main ideas? What conclusion (inferences) can you draw? Are they valid?

You will listen to lectures and conversations – only once.

Thus, you will need to forever record the main ideas and opinions expressed to be able to effectively answer test questions.

No prior knowledge is needed about the academic topics that are discussed on the exam.

Above all, be familiar with the setup of the Listening Section.

Know the directions for the section ahead of time to save time!

IELTS Study Plan – Reading Section

First, how fast do you read in English?

Fast reading helps you get the answer even faster and a better score.

Second, make sure you read every day. Read widely, too.

A good newspaper, a veritable one-stop shop, is usatoday.com.

You can read a variety of news article from business to travel in one location.

While the English writing is not a high register like The New York Times or The Washington Post, expansive reading on will help you read faster and build vocabulary.

The three reading sections are :

Section 1 - multiple choice about an advertisement for a hotel or educational course short, descriptive and factual texts

Section 2- True-False-Not Given Evaluations of texts that are work-related, pay or salary, work conditions, or instructions for operating machinery

Section 3- Yes-No-Not Given Evaluations for identifying a writer's views/claims - the longest text and most difficult

A second way is to increase your vocabulary.

Study your new vocabulary words and remember them for the exam.

Indeed, a stronger vocabulary will help you read better and faster.

IELTS Study Plan – Speaking Section

First, know...