7 Steps to a 7 or Higher on IELTS Step 1: Research Go to a library/bookstore, test prep section. Look at practice test books. Get to know test format and language level. Look at online practice tests. Step 2: Be Honest About Your Timeline Make a list of your strengths in English (Speaking, Writing, Listening, Reading). Make a list of your weaknesses in English. Pre-intermediate/intermediate level (IELTS 5-6) = 6 months of preparation. Intermediate or above (IELTS 6+) = 2-3 months of preparation. Step 3: Book a Test Date Look at dates 2-6 months ahead in your city and book a test date. You MUST have a test date, a deadline, for motivation! Step 4: Make a Balanced Study Plan Make a balanced study plan of 2-3 hours a day. You need English skills AND IELTS strategy skills. Half of the time should strengthen your general English ability, such as watching movies and reading newspapers. The other half of your practice should be devoted to strengthening your testing skills, such as essay structures for writing and skimming/scanning skills for reading. |
Step 5: Find an IELTS professional or online course with a step-by-step strategy system You can’t teach yourself what you don’t know. Don’t prepare alone. Find a course taught by an IELTS professional who knows the test and can teach you the IELTS strategies and systems that will get you results. Learn the testing strategies in order to finish all tasks and find all the answers in a short amount of time allowed on the test. The IELTS professional must teach you what the examiner wants in the speaking or writing test. Don’t waste your time and money! Research the course and the instructor well. Choose a motivating course that will not make you bored. Step 6: Put in the Work Complete the hours of study every day. Learn the strategies and practice, practice, practice them. You must know the test strategies very well, so you have no problems on test day. Challenge yourself. Chat with native speakers and watch movies without subtitles. Step 7: Make a plan for test day Know EXACTLY what happens on test day, so you are not surprised or ill prepared. What time do you have to be there? What are you allowed to bring? Plan everything ahead of time.o What will you wear?o How will you get there?o What will you eat for breakfast? Make a plan for the time before the afternoon Speaking test.o Where will you eat lunch?o Where can you take a relaxing/energising walk? Bring movies/music to entertain yourself. You might have to wait hours between the morning and afternoon sessions. |