Most of us struggle to find time to accomplish the things we enjoy. We would frequently forsake learning a new skill owing to a lack of time or make far too many excuses for not being able to find the time.
Let this not be the case for you when you prepare for the IELTS exam. IELTS is an important exam, thus you ought to be serious about it and not take it casually. Not only this exam is difficult, but also a bit expensive. Thus, you should begin preparing for the exam the day you book your slot and register for IELTS. As a test taker, you must allow yourself enough time to prepare for the IELTS exam so that you are well-prepared and confident on the test day.
If you want to get a band of 7 or above, you need to devote more time to IELTS preparation. This, too, differs according to the learner. If you have good English abilities, you should prepare for IELTS for six to eight weeks.
However, if you have advanced English abilities, you may not require as much preparation time. Weekend study is included in the IELTS preparation period, and preferably three to four hours should be spent every day.
One of the most common blunders that most IELTS test candidates make is failing to plan ahead of time. Whether you take the IELTS academic or general exam, you must have a strategy. The method will include studying some wonderful publications, such as the Cambridge series of IELTS books and online resources like Road to IELTS.
Register with us and connect with highly experienced study abroad counsellors who can help you score the highest score possible through our personalised test-prep services.
Get Expert Guidance on Achieving a High Band Score in IELTS!
IELTS Exam Preparation Tips in a Month
An IELTS test consists of four modules: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The pattern of the IELTS exam changes for each module, and each section will necessitate a unique study strategy. We have attempted to provide you with some pointers on how to prepare:
IELTS Preparation Time for Writing Section
It is typically recommended that a test taker spend at least 40 minutes on the second task and 20 minutes on the first task. In general, the tasks in the IELTS writing section are slightly different. Writing assignment 1 is a letter while writing task 2 is a topic-based essay. However, the basic rule is to write in straightforward English and avoid using too many flowery terms.
-
The writing component includes two distinct sorts of text, and the test lasts 60 minutes.
-
The first writing portion needs you to comprehend some graphical information and describe in 150 words what you learn from watching it.
-
The second writing assignment is lengthier and more challenging than the first. In this section, you must write out your thoughts on a topic in 250 words. You must clearly illustrate your arguments with several instances.
Check out some tips to prepare for the IELTS writing section:
-
Write every day and get it proofread by someone who can help you develop your abilities.
-
Understand how to format your writing.
-
Obtain and study the IELTS writing materials.
IELTS Preparation Time for Listening Section
There are 40 questions in the IELTS listening section, divided into four groups of 10 questions each. With each part, the amount of difficulty in listening grows. The complete exam lasts around 40 minutes.
-
In section 1, you will hear a conversation between two people on any general topic.
-
In section 2, you will hear a monologue on any generic occurrence. You must concentrate on factual information in this case.
-
In section 3, you will hear two or more persons discussing academic subjects or current events. You must take notice of the speakers' viewpoints as well as the factual facts.
-
In section 4, you will hear a speaker give a lecture or give a discussion on any academic topic. Here, you must pay attention to the major points of the discussion.
To prepare for the IELTS hearing, you will need to spend a lot of time listening to mocks. Most test-takers struggle with the listening segment since there is no replay option in the final exam. You will miss answering some questions if you lose attention. As a result, you must be extremely vigilant!
You can follow these tips to prepare for the IELTS listening section:
-
Listen to a variety of English audio programmes, such as book recordings, dramas or plays, English news, podcasts, and so on.
-
Try to distinguish between American and British accents.
-
When practising, aim to replicate the setting that you will be in at the exam centre.
Confused About How to Start Your IELTS Preparation?
IELTS Preparation Time for Speaking Section
The IELTS speaking section lasts 15 minutes and consists of an interview between the test-taker and the IELTS trainer. It is broken into three sections.
-
In the first section, a variety of questions regarding family, career, studies, experience, and hobbies are asked of the test-taker.
-
In the second section, the test-taker is handed a task card and then given two minutes to speak about a topic of their choice. The examiner then asks questions on one or two themes to complete the second assignment.
-
In the third and final section, the test-taker must answer questions from Part 2 and present them more abstractly. The last section lasts five minutes.
It should be easy to build a study plan now that you know the different sections of IELTS speaking. Although the speaking segment is only a few minutes long, do not mix exam time with prep time. This does not imply that you should spend less time preparing for it. However, if you are confident in your communication abilities, a few days may be sufficient.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the IELTS speaking questions and answers:
-
Practice speaking with a partner, who might be a friend or a member of your family.
-
Read aloud and refer to the best books.
-
Speak with a moderate tone of voice.
-
When speaking, try to avoid using fillers.
IELTS Preparation Time for Reading Section
The reading component has 40 questions, and the test takes one hour to complete. Although the question formats are the same for both general and academic training, the text themes or topics differ.
-
The IELTS general training course focuses mostly on common English usage. To prepare for general training, read newspapers, handbooks, and advertising.
-
To prepare for the academic IELTS, you will need to read books, journals, periodicals, and newspapers, among other things.
-
Both general and academic assessments include MCQs, short-answer questions, matching headers and matching material, sentence completion, and other similar problems.
If you want to study for four weeks for your IELTS examinations, you should set aside one week specifically for the reading component. If you believe you can do reasonably well in reading with less preparation, you may choose to devote extra time to one of the other three portions that you find challenging.
These tips will help you prepare for the IELTS reading section:
-
Determine what type of study materials will be most beneficial to you.
-
Keep up to date with the most recent reading curriculum.
-
Determine if you wish to self-study or work with an IELTS trainer.
-
Consider where you stand in terms of your reading abilities. Start early if you need additional time to prepare.
-
Practise IELTS reading mocks as much as possible.
If you are still busy resolving the question- can you prepare for IELTS in a month? Check out the following thought-provoking video:
How Much Time Should You Spend Each Day Preparing for IELTS?
As previously said, three to four hours per day should be spent preparing for the IELTS exam, whether general or academic. When planning your IELTS preparation, make sure to utilise the maximum of the weekend time.
One rule of thumb is that if your exam date is approaching, you should study for more hours. However, if you have enough time on your hands, you may spend about four hours every day. Also, for those who are just starting, the preparation period will be longer.
A 15-day prep period with around three hours each day should be enough for someone with an advanced level of English.
Related Articles:
| IELTS Computer-based vs Paper-based Test: Which is Better? | |
What is the Minimum Time Required for IELTS Preparation?
IELTS preparation should take at least four months. It might be six months for some test-takers. There is no definitive regulation stating how much time you should devote to IELTS preparation.
Some test-takers believe that 15 days of preparation is sufficient, while others may require more time. This is simply based on the number of abilities and knowledge possessed by the test-taker.
A test-taker with good English abilities may opt to work on a five-month schedule for their IELTS. A test-taker with a highly advanced level of English, on the other hand, may require just a month or two to study for the exam.
Related Reads:
Is One Month Sufficient for Preparing for the IELTS?
As previously stated, there is no correct or incorrect response. No rule says one month or six months is enough time to prepare for IELTS. A student may waste a significant amount of time learning nothing about IELTS. Someone who is considerably sharper, on the other hand, may be able to master the tips and tricks of IELTS exams in a matter of weeks.
It depends on the degree of understanding you have about all four sections of the IELTS exam. You can tailor your study plan according to your specific skills and weaknesses. Let us assume that you are good at speaking English but terrible at writing. Indeed, set aside more time for writing and less time for speaking practice.
Use your one month effectively and follow the section-wise preparation tips mentioned above. Hope that this one-month IELTS plan will assist you in achieving your desired score and achieving your dream of studying or working in an English-speaking country.
Our Study Abroad Consultants' have trained a great number of students on a one-to-one basis to score excellent results, particularly in the IELTS exam. For any queries, drop us a line at abroad@collegedekho.com
Get the 'Perfect IELTS Score' With the Help of Our Experts!
