IELTS preparation tips from winners

Our second place winner, Dr. Nitin Jooty from Mauritius, who scored Band 8 in his IELTS exam (with 9 in reading!), wanted to share the following tips with everyone:

“Reading – Look at the questions, if you are asked to match headings to paragraphs, then read the whole passage. At the same time underline the key words in that passage. If there is no matching headings to paragraphs, read the question, underline key words from the question and look for it or its meaning in the text, then finding the answer is very easy. Remember, if you are answering question number one, then the answer must be around the first paragraphs.

Listening – just pay attention, read the first questions, grasp the important things they will ask you about, for example if the question is about fees – listen for the amount.

Writing – this module is very technical. The first introductory paragraph should say how the essay will be organized. In the first paragraph write only about the advantages asked, use connective words (firstly, secondly, finally, for example, for instance, such as), write all the advantages in the same paragraph. Then start the other paragraph with an expression such as ‘on the other hand’ or ‘on the contrary’, then tell your points, same principle, this time you can write ‘primarily’, ‘secondarily’, and ‘finally’. You should add a lot of adjectives and nouns too, linking words like ‘however, in addition to, henceforth’. To finish up, you can give your views and summarize.

Speaking has been easy for me as I read a lot, so be at ease, when you talk – take your time, and answer in simple English.

Wish all of you best of luck.”

Today I am happy to share with you the tips that Pradip (one of our Best IELTS Results competition winners) sent for all the test takers. Here is what Pradip suggests from personal experience:

“Even though I would suggest leaving more preparation time for a better score, I believe this is what one can do in a short time span of 21 days.

To begin with, IELTS cannot be approached as just an exam, but has to be done in a technique based manner. Learn what each section’s pattern is and how you can maximize your score by correcting your typical mistakes.

Listening – make notes as you listen. Don’t drift while the recording plays and focus on imagining what the audio scenario is and accordingly note down the answers as the recording plays. Don’t waste time on copying answers to the answer sheet while listening – you will be given 10 extra minutes for that after the recording has finished.

Reading – highlight parts of the text as you read where there might be answers hidden. Skim through and later when you encounter questions write answers from the highlighted parts. Practice is the only way for this section.

Writing – note down the band descriptors for high scoring and read sample essays and letters that have been graded. Try to emulate the same writing pattern in your style and memorize key words and phrases to use later.

speaking – no shortcuts here. You just need to listen and speak a lot in English. If you are a regular English speaker this section only requires a little bit more practice to capture the proper speaking style that IELTS examiners are looking for.”