You’re wondering what practice tools will help you get the highest rating on test day if you’re studying for IELTS to aid your Canadian citizenship or studies quest.
The good news is: IELTS offers a variety of approved practice tools, each of which is aimed to assist you better grasp the test and enhance your performance.
Recognizing the test format
Learning the exam format and the kind of questions to expect is a crucial component of preparing for the IELTS. You should also be aware of what our experienced examiners are searching for when marking your answer.
People who do not comprehend the test marking standards and arrive underprepared is a regular error we see. Understanding what to expect will aid you in answering questions and might help you relax on exam day.
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are the two forms of IELTS that one can take.
Speaking and listening are alike in both tests. However, Reading and Writing are not similar. The table below compiles the two tests at a high level. For more particulars on the test format, visit here.
IELTS General | IELTS Academic | |
Listening | 30 minutes
Four recordings: 1. Discussion between two people 2. Monologue, for example, a speech 3. Discussion between four people 4. Monologue i.e. University lecture 40 questions |
30 minutes
Four recordings: 1. Discussion between two people 2. Monologue i.e. speech 3. Discussion between four people 4. Monologue i.e. University lecture 40 questions |
Reading | 60 minutes
Three readings from magazines, books, newspapers, you would encounter in everyday life. 40 questions |
60 minutes
Three readings from books, journals you might encounter studying at an undergraduate or post-graduate level. 40 questions |
Writing | 60 minutes
Two tasks: 1. Respond to a situation for example writing a letter. 2. Write an essay in response to a point of view or argument. |
60 minutes
Two tasks: 1. Describe visual (graph/chart) in your own words. (150 words) 2. Respond to a point of view or argument. (250 words) |
Speaking | 11-14 minutes
Three parts: 1. Introduction 2. Discuss a topic 3. Further discussion on the topic |
11-14 minutes
Three parts: 1. Introduction 2. Discuss a topic 3. Further discussion on the topic |
IELTS is graded on a scale of one to nine, where one is the lowest and nine is the highest.
Each test part receives a score: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. After that, the different band scores are totalled and rounded to obtain an overall band score.
Check with your organization before taking your test to see what score you ought to pass. This will aid in your prep and allow you to know what score you want to achieve.
Free example questions can be used to practise.
It’s time to learn with free official IELTS example questions once you’ve grasped the format and determined the score you require. Both IELTS on paper and IELTS on a computer have a variety of questions, so one can practise in the same style as the test.
The sample will help you:
– Recognize the format of the test.
– Experiment with the kind of tasks you’ll encounter in the IELTS exam.
– Compare your answers to the model answers to see how well you did.
Did you know that you can learn your indicative score by taking an authentic IELTS to practise test?
Take the official IELTS to practise test, IELTS Progress Check, to boost your test-day confidence. It’s the most accurate simulation of the real thing. With IELTS Progress Check, you’ll get feedback and an estimated score within five days after being assessed by experienced IELTS markers. All of this allows you to identify where you’ll have to improve before the test.
The following are some of the advantages of the IELTS Progress Check:
– Learning in a timed environment, just as it will be on test day
– Experiencing the entire test from beginning to end: Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking are all skills that may be learned.
– Getting thorough feedback from professional IELTS markers, including band scores for each component and a total score
– Having the option of doing IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training
Use the IELTS social media platforms to find relevant resources.
The official IELTS Facebook and YouTube channels provide a variety of examples and ideas to help you improve your English language skills.
Before the test, relax for a while.
Finally, get some slumber! Ensure that you obtain a decent night’s sleep the night before the exam.
Try to unwind on test day. You can do it. You are familiar with the test format, have studied official practise material, and are aware of the required score.
Take a deep breath, concentrate, and step back; you’re ready!
For those who reside in Canada and want to take the test.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a new path to Canadian permanent residency for over 90,000 critical temporary employees and overseas graduates.
The demand for IELTS in Canada has risen dramatically since this announcement.
To address the increased demand, the team at IELTS is collaborating with test centres across Canada to expand test availability.
They recommend anyone interested in taking the IELTS test to keep checking their website because fresh test dates are updated regularly.