Given that the IELTS test is critical, it hinges on diligence and strategic planning. However, candidates often struggle with planning and creating an appropriate study plan, mainly because of the vast information available. Knowing which sources to believe can be difficult, and there is a lot of pressure to get it right the first time because you’ve invested a lot of time and money.
For professional guidance, students usually enroll in training programs like the ILAC IELTS Program or prepare for the test independently. In any case, following a well-organized plan will help you get the score you want. Here’s how to make one.
1. Know the Test Format
A solid understanding of the IELTS format will help you create a study strategy. Four timed sections on the test assess different aspects of your English proficiency:
- Listening Section: This timed section lasts about thirty minutes and consists of forty questions and four sub-sections.
- Reading Section: This timed assessment section lasts approximately sixty minutes, with forty questions and three subsections.
- Speaking Section: In this timed assessment section, you talk with the examiner for about 11–14 minutes.
- Writing Section: This timed section consists of two 60-minute sub-sections:
- Academic – You have two tasks: a report on a chart, map, graph, or process, and an essay.
- GT – This two-task section involves writing a letter and an essay.
2. Set Up a Daily Routine
To guarantee adequate IELTS test preparation, you must set up a daily routine that you can follow. Stick to this schedule even if you only do this for an hour a day. Examine the IELTS test format first to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Allotted time for studying; devote time to areas that require improvement. Half an hour of studying daily is better than studying 2 hours twice a week.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Setting goals is essential to doing well on any test, including the IELTS. Here’s how to do it:
- Short-term Goals: Establish achievable short-term goals to measure and encourage momentum. For example, spend a week learning vocabulary related to common topics or complete a specific number of IELTS reading exercises daily. While short-term goals are flexible, they allow room for change in due course, depending on your development and areas needing attention.
- Long-Term Goals: Long-term goals secure your entire success in IELTS. The first step to reach your desired band score is understanding what the four test sections ask and determining a goal.
4. Establish a Week-by-Week Plan
When creating your daily routine, set up a thorough week-by-week plan to ensure structured IELTS preparation. Start by dividing the IELTS syllabus into weekly portions and focusing each week on a specific skill, such as writing. Plan goals for the week and plenty of learning sub-activities, like writing (essays, grammar tests), listening (watching TV shows, movies, news channels), reading up (books and comprehension passages), etc.
5. Revision and Mock Exams
No matter how good of an IELTS study strategy you follow and what great preparation resources you use, your effort will go in vain if you do not practice. Frequent revision and mock tests are necessary. To demonstrate readiness to take the test, you can take a mock test every week to familiarize yourself with the IELTS test environment. It will increase your time management skills, identify improvement areas, understand how they ask questions, and learn the art of taking an exam.
6. Get Your Skills Assessed
Practice exams are helpful, but working with a real test of your English writing and reading skills will highlight precisely what you need to work on. Join an IELTS teacher training course or hire a professional teacher. If not, you can ask a native English speaker to assess your level.
Wrapping Up
Every year, candidates fail the IELTS examination only because they attempted it before they adequately prepared. Sound test preparation is the key to favorable outcomes. With a solid plan that caters to your plan and strengths, you can hone your skills, ensure plenty of practice, and then confidently march in to achieve those high scores.
