Free Ielts Preparation |:| Tips and Tricks

Common Mistakes

2009-04-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

The IELTS test is a test of English accuracy. Although many people may be very conversant in daily life, the accuracy of their language often needs attention. In the IELTS test, a sentence with basic grammatical mistakes could be considered as example of inability by an examiner. This is especially true in the speaking test where candidates often forfeit accuracy for quantity in a bid to impress the examiner.

Although you should not worry unnecessarily about making sure your grammar is 100% perfect in every sentence you speak, awareness of basic mistakes people make will help you consider your choice of words. Here are a few mistakes examiners hear very often.

In each of the following pairs of sentences, one sentence is correct, and the other incorrect. Choose which you think is correct in each pair and then look at the answers to see if you were correct:

1.	a. I study about engineering.
	b. I study engineering 2.

2.	a. The movie was very funny.
	b. The movie was very fun.

3.	a. I went many places on my holiday.
	b. I went to everywhere on my holiday.

4.	a. I am exciting too much.
	b. I am very excited.

5.	a. Many temples beautiful.
	b. Many beautiful temples.

6.	a. Nowadays.
	b. Nowsaday.

7.	a. The government should improve public transport.
	b. Government should to improve public transports.

8.	a. I go to shopping everyday.
	b. I go shopping everyday

9.	a. I like playing computers.
	b. I like using computers.

10.	a. I am not liking hot weather.
	b. I don't like hot weather.

Ielts Rules/ Regulations

2009-03-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

Information we hold on you is very broad and could include information we do not make available. If you wish to view a copy of your personal details contained in the Application Form contact ielts@ucles.org.uk. A charge of £10 will be made for access to this information. You also have the right to have inaccuracies in your personal details corrected. Please contact us if you find that your information is inaccurate. Documentation must be provided to verify the correct details. Declaration
• I certify that the information on this form is complete, true and accurate. I understand that if any other person attempts to take the IELTS examination in my place (i.e. in place of the person whose details appear on this form), both I and such person will be liable to prosecution. • I understand that I will be charged the full test fee if I postpone or cancel my test within 5 weeks of the test date, unless I provide appropriate medical evidence to support the postponement or cancellation. Only evidence of serious illness will be considered. I understand that medical evidence must be provided within 5 days of the test date. • I understand that if I attempt to cheat, copy the work of another candidate, disrupt the test, remove or copy or attempt to remove or copy any test materials from the examination room or do anything that might damage the integrity and security of IELTS, I will not receive a result for the test, my test fee will not be refunded and I may be prohibited from taking IELTS tests in future. • I acknowledge receipt of the document entitled 'fELTS Information for candidates'. • I acknowledge receipt of the Notice to IELTS Candidates document, contained on page i of this document and undertake to abide by the regulations contained within. • I agree an observer may attend my Speaking Test as part of the monitoring process. • I agree that a photograph may be taken of me on the test day to confirm identity. • I acknowledge that the IELTS examination is administered by British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia, and Cambridge ESOL collectively referred to as the test partners, and I understand and agree that the details on this form are collected for the purposes of the IELTS test and that these details may be disclosed to, processed and stored by the test partners for the purpose of such administration and that these details and my examination results may be disclosed by the test partners to those academic institutions or other entities to whom I submit my enrolment application, for the purpose of allowing such institutions or entities to verify the results of the test or to carry out an investigation in relation to suspected fraud. If the test partners discover that a false or altered Test Report Form has been provided to any of these institutions or entities the test partners may inform the same and provide them with my personal details. • I understand that my results may not be issued within 13 days of the test day if any of the test partners deem it necessary to review any matter associated with my test. I understand that in exceptional circumstances I may be required to re-take one or more IELTS modules. • I understand that my personal data may be processed in an anonymous form for statistical and research purposes for the development of Cambridge ESOL examinations. Cambridge ESOL and the centre administering the test confirm that they will not disclose personal information about candidates to others except as stated in this Declaration or to the extent permitted by law. • I understand that the work I produce as part of the IELTS test remains the property of the test partners and under no circumstances will be released to candidates or institutions/organisations. • I understand that if the details on this form are not completed my application may not be processed. Disclaimer: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to be but one of many factors used by academic institutions, government agencies, professional bodies and employers in determining whether a test taker has sufficient English skills to successfully be admitted as a student or be considered for employment. IELTS is specifically designed not to be the sole method of determining admission or employment for the test taker IELTS is made available worldwide to all persons, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality or religion but it is not recommended to persons under 16 years of age. British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL and any other party involved in creating, producing, or delivering IELTS shall not be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect, special, punitive, or similar damages arising out of access to, use of, acceptance by, or interpretation of the results by any third party, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof You must not...
• Impersonate another person or have another person impersonate you. • Attempt to cheat, copy the work of another candidate or disrupt the test. • Use, or attempt to use, a dictionary, pager, spell-checker, electronic recorder or mobile phone for the duration of the test. Any candidate doing so will be disqualified. • Talk to or disturb other candidates once the examination has started. • Smoke, eat or drink in the examination room. • Reproduce any part of the test in any format/medium. Any candidate doing so will have their test results disqualified and be liable to prosecution. • Remove any materials used during the examination. This includes, but is not limited to, examination papers, speaking task cards, answer papers and working paper. • Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and on the answer sheet. • Fill in the details required on the front of your question paper and on your answer sheet before the start of the examination. Advice and assistance during the examination
• If you are in doubt about what you should do, raise your hand to attract attention. An invigilator will come to your assistance. • You may not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions. • If on the day of the examination you feel that your work may be affected by ill health or any other reason, you must inform the invigilator at the time. Leaving the examination room
• You may not leave the examination room without the permission of the supervisor or invigilator. • You can not leave your seat until all papers have been collected and you have been told you can leave. • When you leave the examination room you must leave behind any paper used for rough work clearly crossed through and any other materials provided for the examination. • Do not make any noise near the examination room. • In exceptional circumstances, results may be delayed and you may be required to re-take one or more modules where the pattern of module results is highly unusual. • Please note that institutions and organisations you have listed under question 24 may access your results before you have received them by mail.

How to Prepare for IELTS (Tips)

2009-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

• Introduce you to the test format and question types

• Give you authentic test practice using the latest real past papers from Cambridge
• Develop your time management skills for the exam
• Help you identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Increase your confidence for the test day

Action Plan for IELTS

• Give you last minute preparation advice
• Give you tips and strategies about how to tackle the test questions on the test day
• Increase your confidence in the last weeks before the test
• It also has one full IELTS Practice test which includes 50 minutes of listening practice.

Step by step guide
You should use both books to improve your test technique and maximise your score. There is a strong belief that practice makes perfect. While practice can help, you will also really benefit from following the advice in Action Plan for IELTS which focuses on all question types and how to approach them on the test day.

Follow these suggestions to get the most out of your free books our tips for success in IELTS.

Step 1 - Read the introduction to IELTS 6 so you know what each module of the test contains.

Step 2 - Try one full practice test from IELTS 6. Make sure you do it under timed conditions. You can ask a friend or family member to time you.

Step 3 - Mark your paper using the answer key at the back of IELTS 6. For the writing, look at the model answers and compare them with your answer.

Step 4 - Identify which modules and which sections of the test you found the most difficult. Find the relevant sections in Action Plan for IELTS. For example, if you found writing task 2 difficult, then find that section in Action Plan and work through the exercises and tips, making a note of all the things you could do better or differently next time. Making notes will help you really remember these points for the next time.

Step 5 - Do another full practice test from IELTS 6. Did you get a better score this time? Now identify some other weak areas and look at those sections in Action Plan to IELTS.

Step 6 - Repeat Steps 1 - 5 for all five practice tests. Remember there is one full practice test in Action Plan for IELTS as well.

Sample Ielts essay (“Not every thing that is learned is contained in books.”)

2009-02-28T21:57:00.000-08:00

It has been said, “Not every thing that is learned is contained in books.”

Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

model answer:

“Experience is the best teacher” is an old cliché, but I agree with it. The most important, and sometimes the hardest, lessons we learn in life come from our participation in situations. You can’ learn everything from a book.

Of course, learning from books in a formal educational setting is also valuable. It’s in schools that we learn the information we need to function in our society. We learn how to speak and write and understand mathematical equations. This is all information that we need to live in our communities and earn a living.

Nevertheless, I think that the most important lessons can’t be taught; they have to be experienced. No one can teach us how to get along with others or how to have self-respect. As we grow from children into teenagers, no one can teach us how to deal with peer pressure. As we leave adolescence behind and enter adult life, no one can teach us how to fall in love and get married.

This shouldn’t stop us from looking for guidelines along the way. Teachers and parents are valuable sources of advice when we’re young. As we enter into new stages in our lives, the advice we receive from them is very helpful because they have already bad similar experiences. But experiencing our own triumphs and disasters is really the only way to learn how to deal with life.

(232 words)

IELTS Sample essays (Writing Task Two)

2009-02-28T21:52:00.000-08:00

Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on your children.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

model answer:

I tend to agree that young children can be negatively affected by too much time spent on the computer every day. This is partly because sitting in front of a screen for too long can be damaging to both the eyes and the physical posture of a young child, regardless of what they are using the computer for.

However, the main concern is about the type of computer activities that attract children. These are often electronic games that tend to be very intense and rather violent. The player is usually the ‘hero’ of the game and too much exposure can encourage children to be self-centred and insensitive to others.

Even when children use a computer for other purposes, such as getting information or emailing friends, it is no substitute for human interaction. Spending time with other children and sharing nonvirtual experiences is an important part of a child's development that cannot be provided by a computer.

In spite of this, the obvious benefits of computer skills for young children cannot be denied. Their adult world will be changing constantly in terms of technology and the Internet is the key to all the knowledge and information available in the world today. Therefore it is important that children learn at an early age to use the equipment enthusiastically and with confidence as they will need these skills throughout their studies and working lives.

I think the main point is to make sure that young children do not overuse computers. Parents must ensure that their children learn to enjoy other kinds of activity and not simply sit at home, learning to live in a virtual world.

(273 words)

Study English - IELTS Preparation Video Tutorial

2009-02-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Study English is designed for intermediate to advanced English language learners, especially those using English for study purposes. IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System.

IELTS Speaking Tips

2008-12-22T10:05:00.000-08:00

These IELTS Speaking tips will make you aware of what is required of you during the speaking interview and what you can do to achieve your highest possible score.

Before the interview

Your speaking interview will take place at a different time, and probably on a different day, to the rest of the exam. Make sure you understand when and where your interview is to take place. Quite often the location for the Speaking interview is different from that of the main exam.

As with the main exam, try to keep your stress levels low by making sure you have everything you need well before leaving for the interview. You must take your ID with you and it must be the same as that used on your application form. Leave in plenty of time in case you are delayed on your journey. Late arrival could mean you forfeit your interview.

On arrival at the test centre you will be told where to wait. Try to relax, some people take a book or newspaper with them to keep their mind occupied. When your interviewer is ready, he or she will ask for you. You will not be allowed to take belongings into the interview room. In particular, you should be sure not to inadvertently take a mobile phone in with you. Mobile phones are not allowed in the interview room even if switched off.

The interview

If we could only give one tip for the speaking interview it would be to relax and be natural. Try to control your nerves and answer the questions to the best of your ability without worrying if you have difficulties or need to ask your interviewer to repeat a question. After all, even native speakers occasionally pause and hesitate or need to ask for a question to be repeated.

We won't go into detail about the interview procedure itself as this information is given on our Speaking module page. (If you haven't read that page already, we suggest you do so now.) What you do need to think about is what is required of you. The interviewer is there to assess your spoken English in a short period of time. He or she will be assessing you on four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. It is up to you to produce sufficient language for them to do this. Part of what the interviewer is assessing is your range of language and whether it is accurate and appropriate. Try to use a variety of vocabulary and grammar but take care to use it appropriately and accurately.

The best way to do this is to be relaxed and speak naturally. Don't answer questions with just a 'Yes' or 'No'. Where possible expand your answers by, for example, using "Yes, because...". However, don't just ramble on in order to keep talking. You need to be coherent and able to take turns.

If you didn't hear a question clearly, ask the examiner to repeat it. If there is something you don't understand, ask for clarification. This is all part of normal conversation and will show your ability to react appropriately in this sort of situation. What you mustn't do is just sit blankly and say nothing.

Remember, there are no right answers to a question. You don't even have to tell the truth, if you don't want to. The examiner is more interested in how you answer the question not whether the facts are correct.

You are not expected to ask the examiner questions. You won't be penalised if you do but the examiner is likely to answer very briefly and steer the conversation back to you.

The 'Long Turn'

In the first section you will be asked general questions about yourself. Think of this section as a 'warmer'. Use it to relax and get comfortable. The second section is sometimes known as the 'Long Turn'. Here you are given a topic and asked to talk about it for 1 - 2 minutes. Once you have been given your task card you will have 1 minute to think about what you are going to say. 1 minute is not very long so make good use of it. Your interviewer will tell you when the time is up so there is no need to time yourself.

First read the task. This is printed in bold surrounded by a box. The task will be to describe something and you will be given some prompts about what you should say. Do not waste time reading anything outside this box as it is only information repeating what you have already been told i.e. "You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish." This is the only time during the IELTS test it is better not to read the instructions.

Once you have read and understood the task you can start thinking about what you are going to say. Some candidates prefer not to make notes but we would recommend you do. Don't write long sentences as you won't have time; just write brief notes or phrases to help remind you what to talk about. These notes do not have to be in English and they will not be used for assessment. Some candidates draw mind maps and these seem to be very effective. If you feel you don't want to make notes and don't need the full minute to think about it, tell your interviewer who will let you start talking.

You do not need to worry too much about timing yourself as your interviewer will tell you when the time is up. However, you may wish to do so in order to ensure you speak for at least a minute. If you speak for less than one minute your examiner will indicate that you should continue.

The 'Long Turn' is a monologue not a discussion, so don't ask your interviewer questions. Try to speak fluently and coherently. If you run out of things to say it is better to stop than to try to keep going. As long as you have been speaking for more than 1 minute you won't be penalised. However, if you force yourself to keep going and lose fluency or coherence it is likely that your score will suffer.

In the third part of the interview you will be asked questions related to the task set in the 'Long Turn'. Your interviewer has some flexibility here, while following general guidelines. A good interviewer will be able grade their language to your level of English while trying to help you produce a wider range of vocabulary and sentence forms.

After the interview

At the end of the interview your examiner will tell you that it is the end of the Speaking test and you will leave the interview room. If there were any problems with the way the interview was conducted or if you have any other complaints, you must make them before leaving the Test Centre. Remember, your interview was recorded and can be used to back up your complaints. For example, if you were distracted by outside noise it will be recorded on the tape. Also, if you feel the examiner did not conduct the interview correctly, this too will be recorded.

Although at this point you will probably just want to relax, take a few moments to make some notes about how the interview went. Did it go as well as expected? Did you have any particular problems? These notes will help manage your expectations of your final result. If you don't get the result you need they will help you decide what to do. This might be to ask for a re-mark (an Enquiry on Results), resit the exam as soon as possible or to do further study, in which case your notes will indicate which areas you need to concentrate on.

IELTS Writing Tips

2008-12-22T09:55:00.000-08:00

For most candidates, time is a problem in the Writing test. It is therefore very important to time yourself carefully. You should spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. It doesn't matter which Task you answer first so do the one you are most comfortable with, but make sure you don't spend more time on it than suggested.

Answer the Tasks in the correct place on the Answer Sheet. Task 1 should start on page 1 and Task 2 on page 3. If you do find you have answered a task in the wrong place, make sure you mark it clearly so that it is obvious to the examiner. It might also be sensible to tell the invigilator so they can make a note if necessary.

As always, be sure to read the instructions. Failure to answer the task set will result in a lower score for Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2) and possibly Lexical Resource as well if the vocabulary you use is not relevant to the task set. It is important not to misread the task and never be tempted to move away from the topic set, perhaps to a similar topic you are more familiar with.

Planning is very important. Failure to plan adequately will result in an essay that is not coherent and you will get a lower score for 'Coherence and Cohesion'. Rough paper is not available for making notes and planning so use your Question Paper. The examiner will not see your Question Paper so write whatever notes you like on it. These notes will not be used for assessment.

You must write at least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2. You will be penalised if you write less than this. Don't copy the task description word for word as this will not be included any word count made by the examiner. We recommend aiming to write a little more than the minimum number of words. If you find you don't have enough room on the Answer Sheet you can ask for more paper. This is handed out as required, not in advance.

Don't try to memorise a model answer. It is highly unlikely that the task set will be the same as the one you have memorised and trying to adapt a memorised script to the task set is likely to result in an incoherent essay. Examiners can easily spot memorised and plagiarised scripts.

Write clearly so that the examiner is not confused by your writing. While an untidy script will not be penalised, if the examiner can't read your essay or is not sure of your spelling, you will lose marks. Poor grammar and spelling will also lose you marks.

Remember the criteria that the examiner will be using to mark your essay. Have you responded fully to the task set? Is your answer coherent? Planning is essential for this. Have you used a wide range of vocabulary, appropriately and accurately? Have you used a wide range of grammatical structures accurately and appropriately? If, for example, you only use basic vocabulary, even though you are capable of a wider range, you won't get the score you are capable of.

When you have completed both tasks use any time available to proof read your essays. You will undoubtedly have made a number of grammatical and spelling mistakes which, if corrected, could improve your score.

Academic Task 1 Tips

Candidates are asked to describe the information given in a graph, table, chart, or diagram in their own words. It may be that the data shown is to be interpreted and summarised or a process described. Read the task carefully so you understand what is required and then spend some time looking at the diagrams or tables. What do they show? What are the main features?

Having decided what is required, spend a few minutes planning your essay. Your first paragraph should explain, in your own words, what the diagrams/tables show. One way of doing this is to paraphrase what is in the task description, possibly using further information from the diagrams. The following paragraphs should describe the data or process. Be sure to describe the main features or trends. It is important that you include any relevant data to support your description. Conclude by reviewing the main points.

Do not include opinion or facts that are not apparent from the diagrams/tables. Be sure to write at least 150 words.

General Training Task 1 Tips

This will be a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Read the task description carefully so that you fully understand what the letter is for. Is the letter formal or informal? Is it to a friend or an organisation? These questions will help you decide the tone of the letter - how formal or informal it should be.

You will be told how to start the letter. If the task description states that the letter should be started with "Dear Sir or Madam" then it is clearly a formal letter and should end with "Yours faithfully". If you are told to begin the letter "Dear ....", you will need to determine from the task description whether the letter is formal or informal. If the letter is not to a friend it is probably a formal letter in which case replace the "...." with an appropriate name and end the letter "Yours sincerely". If the letter is to a friend it will be informal so replace the "...." with an appropriate name and end with something like "Best Wishes" which is less formal.

The task description invariably includes three bullet points. It is important that you cover each of these in your letter. Try to use the appropriate tone and write at least 150 words.

Academic and General Training Task 2

Tips for Task 2 are the same for both the Academic and General Training formats. Although the tasks set are slightly different, the way the way they should be answered is the similar. The main difference is that the Academic format requires a formal, academic, response whereas for General Training it can be more personal.

Read the task description carefully so that you fully understand it. It is important to answer all aspects of the task in order to gain a high score for Task Response.

Once you understand the task clearly, plan your essay. You should introduce the topic in your own words. Do not copy the task description word for word as it will not be counted in any word count the examiner might do. The main body of your essay must cover all aspects of the task description. There will usually be two sides to the topic so divide the essay accordingly writing a paragraph for each. You will be expected to include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Finally, write a concluding paragraph. Be sure to write at least 250 words.

IELTS Reading Tips

2008-12-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

These IELTS Reading Tips point out some of the hazards to be found in the IELTS Reading test and provide some suggestions that will help you get the highest possible number of correct answers in this module.

As with all modules, listen to the instructions carefully so that you are not caught out opening papers before being told to do so or transferring answers after the test has finished.

Read the instructions carefully

While it may seem obvious that it is important to read the instructions on the question paper carefully, many candidates fail to do so. As a result, even though they know the answer to a question, they don't get a mark because they have not followed the instructions. Examples would be if the instructions require the answer to be the number of an item in a list and the candidate writes down the item itself or if the candidate is asked to fill in a gap but writes the whole phrase instead.

Always read the questions before you read the text. This will make it much easier to answer the questions as you will already have an idea of what to look out for. Remember that the questions can be before or after the text.

Transferring your answers

Perhaps the easiest way to lose marks in the Reading test is to fail to transfer all your answers to the Answer Sheet. Unlike the Listening test, candidates do not get extra time to transfer their answers. It is not uncommon for candidates to leave themselves insufficient time to transfer all their answers. We recommend that candidates transfer their answers immediately they answer each question. Some candidates prefer to leave transferring their answers until they have finished but they do risk running out of time and most candidates find time is very tight on the Reading test.

Even though the sections of the Reading test get progressively more difficult, all correct answers carry the same mark. We suggest you work through the Reading test leaving questions you can't easily answer but immediately transferring the answers of those you can to the Answer Sheet. Then go through the paper again and try to answer those questions you were unable to answer the first time through. Work from the beginning so that you start with the easier questions. You should guess the answer to any question that is taking too long to answer as you don't lose marks for incorrect answers and you might guess right.

When transferring your answers to the Answer Sheet, be careful to put the answer in its correct place. It is easy to accidentally put an answer with the wrong number, especially if you are not able to answer all the questions. Write your answers clearly so that the examiner does not have difficulty reading them and remember that incorrect spelling and grammar will result in answers being marked wrong. If you are not sure of a spelling it is very likely to be found somewhere in the text.

IELTS Listening Tips

2008-12-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

The following IELTS listening tips will help you get the Listening band score you deserve by warning you of possible pitfalls that can cause you to loose marks.
Listen carefully to what the invigilator says. The instructions given are important and if not followed could, in the worst case, result in a candidate being disqualified. Repeatedly opening question papers before being told to do so or continuing to write after being told to stop could cause this.
As explained in the Listening module page, the answer and question papers will be given out and then the recording will be tested. It is essential that you listen carefully and, if you cannot hear the recording clearly, tell the invigilator. Do not wait until the test has started because, once started, the recording cannot be stopped.

Listen carefully to the recording

The recording is played only once and there are no repetitions, so don't let your attention wander. All instructions and pauses are on the recording so if, for example, the recording said "You now have half a minute to check your answers", it would be followed by half a minute of silence.

The listening test consists of 4 sections. Before each section you are given time to read the questions but don't read them too slowly or the recording will start before you have finished. It is important that you read the instructions, as well as the questions, carefully. Failure to do so could result in an incorrect answer even though you understood the question. For example, answering with four words when the instructions are to use three will result in your answer being marked wrong.

When listening for the answer to a question, be aware of the following questions. That way, if you miss the answer to a particular question you are more likely to notice when the answer to a later question is given and you are less likely to find yourself lost.

Sometimes the speaker can be quite vague or change their mind. Always be alert to subsequent clarifications or changes of mind which, if missed, could result in you giving the wrong answer.

When you write your answer in the question booklet be sure to write clearly so that you can read it when you come to transfer it to the answer sheet. If you make a mistake when transferring it, it will be marked wrong.

After each section you are given time to check your answers. As soon as you have done this, make use of the time remaining to start looking at the questions for the next section. This will give you a head start.

Transferring you answers

At the end of the last section you are given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. During this time you will still receive recorded time checks and instructions. If you are using headphones, keep them on. The final instruction will tell you to stop writing. Be sure to stop immediately or you may be accused of cheating and risk disqualification.

In practice, 10 minutes is sufficient time to transfer your answers. However, if you failed to answer all the questions, it is best to transfer those you have managed to answer before going back and trying to answer those you haven't. Be very careful to transfer the question to the correct number, it is easy to make a mistake if you have missed some answers. Also, pay careful attention to spelling as incorrectly spelt answers will be marked wrong. Write clearly, if the examiner can't read your answer it will be marked wrong.

Each correct answer gets the same mark and an incorrect or missing answer gets no mark. This means you do not lose marks for incorrect answers and should try to guess those questions you haven't answered. Each answer you guess correctly will gain an extra mark. Guessing is particularly important for questions with limited options, e.g. 'Yes', 'No', 'Not Given' questions, as the probability of guessing right is quite high.

IELTS Speaking Test

2008-12-22T09:33:00.000-08:00

The IELTS Speaking module takes the form of a face to face interview. Your IELTS confirmation letter will tell you when and where your IELTS Speaking interview is to take place. Some Test Centres may tell you to arrive a certain period of time before the test.

When you arrive at the Test venue the administration staff will check your ID, which must be the same as on your application form. You will then be shown where to wait for your interview.

The Interview

When your interviewer is ready they will come and ask for you. You must not take any belongings into the interview room; this includes mobile phones even if they are switched off. Your interviewer will greet you and ask you to sit down. At an early stage in the interview you will be asked to show the interviewer your ID. This will be quickly checked and the interview will continue.

All IELTS Speaking interviews are recorded. This allows the interview to be monitored to ensure it was conducted properly. It also allows the interview to be assessed by another examiner should there be a question over your score. Another benefit is that any problems during the interview, such as excessive noise or interruptions, will also have been recorded.

Section 1

The IELTS Speaking interview lasts between 11 - 14 minutes and is made up of three parts. The first part of the interview lasts for 4 - 5 minutes and consists of questions on general topics such as questions about the candidate, their families, interests etc. Your interviewer is working from a script and is obliged to ask the questions word for word. This sometimes means that you are asked questions which may seem a little odd in the context of what you have just been talking about.

Section 2

In the second section you will be asked to talk on a topic for 1 - 2 minutes but will be given 1 minute beforehand to think about what you are going to say. During this thinking time you can make notes. You will be told your topic and given a task card on which the topic is written together with some points you should cover in your talk. You will also be given a pencil and paper for making notes. It is up to you whether you make any notes; they are not used as part of the assessment.

You will be told when your thinking time is up and asked to start talking. Your interviewer will tell you when two minutes is up but it is OK to stop earlier, as long as you have been talking for at least a minute. If you haven't, your interviewer will probably ask you to continue. When your talk has finished the interviewer may ask one or two brief questions before moving on.

Section 3

The third section is a 4 - 5 minute discussion based broadly on your section 2 topic. Here the interviewer has much more leeway about the questions that can be asked but is still expected to follow a set of prompts.

Finally, your interviewer will thank you and tell you that the IELTS Speaking test is over. You will then leave the interview room.

IELTS Writing Test Tips and Tricks

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Question Papers

The IELTS Writing question papers will be given out and you will be told not to open them until told to do so. You will be asked to write your name and candidate number on the question paper. Check that you have been given the appropriate format, Academic or General Training, which will be clearly written on the front page.

Answer Sheet

The answer sheet is a small booklet. Task 1 should be answered on pages 1 and 2, and Task 2 on pages 3 and 4. If you accidentally start a task in the wrong place indicate this clearly and inform the invigilator. Don’t be too concerned if this happens; as long as it is clear to the examiner you won’t lose any marks. If there isn’t enough room on the answer sheet ask the invigilator for more paper when you need it; you won't be given extra paper in advance.

Task 1

In Task 1, Academic format candidates will be required to describe a graph, diagram, table or chart in their own words whereas General Training candidates will be required to write a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Both formats require at least 150 words for Task 1.

Task 2

In Task 2, both formats are presented with a point of view, article or problem and required to write an essay of not less than 250 words. The topics differ according to the format taken.

There is no rough paper available for making notes so use the question paper. Anything you write on the question paper will not be seen by the examiner and will not be used for assessment.

You will be given time checks during the exam and at the end you will be told to stop writing.

Finally, your IELTS Writing test question and answer papers will be collected. Note that you are still under exam conditions until all papers are collected and you are told you can leave.

IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks

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IELTS Reading Question Paper

The invigilator will give out the IELTS Reading question papers. Do not open it until told to do so. You will be told to write your name and candidate number on the question paper. The Reading papers are different for the Academic and General Training formats. Check that you have been given the right one, this is clearly written near the top of the front page.

Both formats consist of three sections. You have 60 minutes to read through the sections and answer all the questions. You are advised to spend 20 minutes on each section. Be sure to write your answers on the answer sheet as, unlike the Listening test, there is no extra time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet at the end of the test. Anything you write on the question paper will not be assessed.

Academic format

In the Academic format, at least one section will contain a detailed logical argument. Graphs, illustrations or diagrams may be used in any of the sections. All texts are written for non-specialists.

General Training format

The General Training Reading is divided into three sections. The first section is 'social survival', the second is 'training survival' and the third is 'general reading'.

Question types

Whichever format is taken, the question types can be any of the following:

multiple choice
short-answer questions
sentence completion
notes/summary/diagram/flow-chart/table completion
choosing from a ‘heading bank’ for identified paragraphs/sections of the text
identification of writer’s views/claims – yes, no or not given
identification of information in the text – yes, no or not given/true, false or not given
classification
matching lists/phrases

During the test you will be given time checks. When the 60 minutes is up you will be told to stop writing. If you do not stop writing immediately anything you wrote after being told to stop will be crossed out and you could be disqualified from the entire IELTS test.

On completion of the IELTS Reading test the answer sheets and question papers will be collected.

Ielts Listening Tips and Tricks

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Listen carefully to the recording

Sometimes the speaker can be quite vague or change their mind. Always be alert to subsequent clarifications or changes of mind which, if missed, could result in you giving the wrong answer.

Transferring you answers

In practice, 10 minutes is sufficient time to transfer your answers. However, if you failed to answer all the questions, it is best to transfer those you have managed to answer before going back and trying to answer those you haven't. Be very careful to transfer the question to the correct number, it is easy to make a mistake if you have missed some answers. Also, pay careful attention to spelling as incorrectly spelt answers will be marked wrong. Write clearly; if the examiner can't read your answer it will be marked wrong.

IELTS General Training Listening Test

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The IELTS Listening test is the first module tested during the main IELTS examination session. The listening module last for about 30 minutes and is the same for both the Academic and General Training formats. Candidates listen to a recording on a CD divided into four sections and answer a total of 40 questions. The sections include a mixture of monologues and conversations where the speakers have a variety of English accents.

How the Listening Test is assessed

The candidate receives one mark for each correct answer. Marks are not deducted for unanswered questions or incorrect answers. The candidate's mark, out of 40, is looked up on a band score conversion table and a band score awarded accordingly. These tables are confidential and are specific to that particular version of the exam so may vary from test to test.

Questions must be answered according to the instructions. If not, they are marked wrong even if it is clear the candidate understood the recording. Incorrect spelling or grammar will also result in a question being marked incorrect.

IELTS General Training Test Format

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The IELTS General Training format is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work, training programmes (not at degree level) or immigration purposes.

IELTS offers two formats, General Training and Academic, but only the Reading and Writing modules differ (see below). In the General Training format the emphasis is on basic survival skills for social and general education purposes.

It is important that you know which format you need. While some receiving organisations might be prepared to accept the Academic format instead of the General Training format, the opposite is unlikely to be the case. Be sure to find out from your Receiving Organisation before you apply for the test as you have to specify the format you wish to take when you apply. Note that not all Test Centres offer the General Training format and on many test dates only the Academic format is examined.

Reading

The texts for the General Training Reading module are the sort of things candidates would be likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country. Newspapers, advertisements and instruction manuals are the types of sources used. The three sections of the Reading test cover 'social survival', training survival' and 'general reading'.

Writing

The first General Training Writing task is to write a letter asking for information or explaining a situation. The second task is a short essay to be written in response to a given point of view or problem.

IELTS Academic Test Format

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The IELTS Academic format is for candidates wanting to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in an English speaking country.

Although IELTS offers two formats, General Training and Academic, only the Reading and Writing modules differ (see below). In the Academic format these modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study, using the English language, at degree level.

It is important that you know which format you need. It is unlikely, for example, that an academic institution will accept your application for a degree level course if you have taken the IELTS General Training format when the Academic format was specified. Be sure to find out from your Receiving Organisation before you apply for the test, as you have to specify the format you wish to take when you apply.

Reading

The Academic Reading module texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers. At least one will contain a detailed logical argument and any of them might make use of graphs, diagrams or illustrations.

Writing

In Task 1 of the Academic Writing module candidates are required to describe information from a graph, table, chart or diagram in their own words. In Task 2, a point of view, argument or problem is presented and candidates are expected to respond in the form of a short essay.

What is IELTS ?

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IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is an English language exam for non-native English speakers wishing to work or study where English is the language of communication. IELTS has become so well established that, apart from in North America, it is the English language test of choice for immigration authorities and academic institutions of many English speaking countries. As a result, many non-native English speakers find themselves obliged to take IELTS.