*This suggestion is based on the format of the IELTS exam until October 2022. Please note that there have been some changes since then.*
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was created to assist you in moving to a country where English is the dominant language in order to work, study, or move. This covers the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and others.
During the exam, your proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing English will be evaluated. IELTS is scored on a scale from 1 to 9.
The British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English all jointly own IELTS. Visit ielts.org for more information.
You must be able to show a high level of English language proficiency if you want to work, reside, or study in an English-speaking nation. There are several advantages to being able to speak in the national tongue of the country you want to work or study in. Additionally, it is necessary for community inclusion and career prospects.
For people wishing to immigrate to countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK, IELTS is the exam of choice. More than 11,000 businesses, colleges, schools, and immigration agencies throughout the world, including 3,400 institutions in the USA, recognize it.
Follow the links below to gain more insight.
It will be a safe bet to receive an IELTS score of at least 7.0 overall and no band score lower than 6.5 for pursuing higher education.
Table of Contents
It's important to acknowledge a harsh reality: funding for academic programs does not depend on your English proficiency. While meeting the minimum English language requirements is essential, achieving a higher score does not significantly increase your chances of securing funding.
My suggestions will be useful primarily for people with English-based educational backgrounds. Remember that these might be different for everyone; this is just my perspective.
At Least 2 to 3 Weeks of Prep Time
If you have a reasonably strong English background, schedule your IELTS exam at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance based on your preferences throughout the application process. Scores from the IELTS are effective for two years. It is advised that you are well-prepared to perform at your best on the first attempt because this exam is very expensive. However, there are several instances of people succeeding in a week or even without any prior preparation.
Book the IELTS
The IELTS exam is offered in two formats: paper-based and computer-based. Each is given the same weight in the evaluation. Despite the fact that each has benefits and drawbacks. For instance, you are given an additional ten minutes to write your answers on the answer sheets after the listening test in tests that use paper, but just two minutes in exams that use computers. In contrast, you will receive your computerized results in 3-5 days, and paper-based results could arrive in up to 13 days. See the side-by-side comparison of these two here and make your own decision.
It is encouraged that you set up your exam as early as possible because it could be challenging to get a day at the location of your choice. Although there are many IELTS test centers available, it is preferable to choose a center you have heard excellent things about. Additionally, bear in mind that occasionally new exam schedules may become available; therefore, if none are available right away, keep a look out for them frequently. Additionally, after the deployment of COVID-19, it may be allowed to have a foreign interviewer conduct the speaking test through Zoom. Compared to in-person tests, some people favor that.
There are several ways to schedule the test. You can make your reservations on the British Council or IDP websites. Alternatively, you can book it in person at the British Council Or IDP center. If you make the booking through certain coaching centers, they can also have some lucrative offers on mock tests. In all instances, the price should be 18750 BDT, which can be paid using any medium at the time (also possible without any dual currency card).
To crack the IELTS, only official resources will do. Never try anything from a third party. It is recommended that you either buy hard copies and get used to them before taking the IELTS as a paper-based exam or, if you prefer, practice with digital copies. If you need any books, they are all readily available in Nilkhet or on the Internet.
All the PDFs are easy to find for free if you do a bit of digging on the internet.
Must-Have:
Cambridge IELTS Series (8-17) - Each contains 4 complete tests. (Latest one can be found online with a bit of searching).
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic & General Training with Answers
Makkar’s Speaking Guesswork (Sept-Dec-2022)- For the speaking part. Get the latest one (It can be found online with a bit of searching).
Websites and YouTube Channels:
IELTSLiz.com + IELTS Liz - For one of the best free complete guidelines.
English Speaking Success - For one of the best guidelines on speaking and vocabulary. Also, fun to watch.
E2 IELTS - For overall guidelines.
TOP IELTS TESTS - For real IELTS experiences and feedback.
IELTS Advantage - For guidelines on writing.
Nice to Have:
Other Supplements:
I don't think these are required. The aforementioned resources are sufficient to guarantee a 7+ band score. Taking one or two practice exams with proper feedback can be beneficial. But there are many caching centers that may be checked out if somebody finds themselves lost and needs assistance.
Try to finish at least one listening and one reading every day.
Try to finish at least three book series, starting with the most recent one and going backward.
Give at least one or two practice tests at a coaching center, to get feedback on the writing and speaking parts.
Keep track of your progress and identify your common errors. Fully concentrate on them.
Keep in mind that a pencil is required for answering reading and listening questions. In writing tasks, you can use either a pencil or a pen. (A pen lets you write more comfortably, but a pencil will be more useful in later corrections.)
Having a regular partner is helpful because they can provide you with free encouragement and criticism as you progress.
Watch English TV Shows and Movies without subtitles. Listen to a lot of English-language podcasts and listen to English-language audiobooks, as well as songs.
Make an effort to complete at least two full tests per day. Playback is not permitted during the actual test, therefore never do it while practicing.
If you find an option incorrect in multiple-choice questions, cross it out; this will help you quickly deduce the correct answer.
Pay close attention to the instructions at the top of each question section.
Examine your work for errors in grammar and spelling.
Keep sharpening your attention.
Adhere to IELTS Liz's advice.
Remember that you will have 10 minutes (for tests administered on paper) or 2 minutes (for tests administered on computers) at the end to copy and/or check your answers. Spend no time looking at them while the audio is playing.
You must use the exact words from the audio.
There is a considerable gap between two consecutive answers, so don't panic; simply write an answer down properly and then begin looking for the following keyword.
Improve your reading habits. Every day, try reading an English daily newspaper. Nonfiction literature and reports should be read from time to time.
Take at least one full test per day. Keep in mind that there will be no extra time in the end for you to transfer your answers.
First, skim through the text. Don't waste time attempting to understand every word, as they may not all be necessary.
True/False/Not Given questions can be extremely tricky at times. Remember that the "Not given" answer is only issued when it is not directly addressed in the text. Do not act on your gut feelings.
When answering questions that only address one paragraph at a time, read only that paragraph and answer it and keep repeating it, or you may get puzzled by the entire paragraph at the end.
Follow suggestions from IELTS Liz and E2 IELTS.
To get the hang of it, you need to write at least 5/6 essays.
Follow the structures recommended by IELTS Liz.
Learn topical vocabulary as well as some high-level English words to augment your writing.
Improve your grammar and learn how to use different sentence structures effectively.
Learn how to use connectors in a variety of situations.
Always bear in mind the grading criteria, such as task achievement (following directions correctly), coherence and cohesion (using connectors and maintaining a good flow), lexical resource (word range), and grammatical range and accuracy (different types of sentences use).
It is crucial to remember that IELTS writing is formal and academic writing. Write in the passive voice.
Never convey your personal opinion or make any conclusions in the first task.
The second task requires you to give and build on examples related to the topic.
The first essay should be completed in no more than 20 minutes.
Allow enough time to plan your answer at the start and evaluate it for errors at the end.
While attaining the required word count is required, quality over quantity is preferable (In the allotted time, 150 words for job 1 and 250 words for task 2 are easily achievable.)
If you opt to use a pencil to write (ideal for correction in paper-based tests), practice beforehand since otherwise, you might find it difficult to manage it on the actual test. Instead of buying wooden pencils, I would advise purchasing mechanical ones. On the test, you are permitted to bring your own pen and pencil.
Speaking is not as formal as the IELTS writing tasks; rather, it is more informal.
Relax; there's no need to be nervous. Don't forget to smile.
IELTS Liz and English Speaking Success are two great resources.
It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with any unusual topics you may encounter by reading the most recent issue of Makkar Speaking.
Get in the habit of practicing with someone, following the prescribed format, before the actual test.
Concentrate your efforts on the introduction; doing so will give you a much-needed confidence boost.
In the introduction, avoid going into unnecessary detail. You should make an effort to stay on topic.
In the second section, give your speech as much time as possible, ideally two minutes. In an effort to answer all questions on the cue card, please do your best.
In the third section, it would be helpful if you could provide as much detail as possible.
Don't act as if you're counting down the minutes until the exam is over; instead, give your full attention to the questions at hand rather than the examiner's possible actions. If making eye contact makes you feel awkward, avoid doing so.
Keep in mind the evaluation criteria, such as fluency and coherence (FC), Lexical Resource (LR), Grammatical range and accuracy (GRA), and Pronunciation (P).
Use your natural accent and work to refine the pronunciations.
It's worth a shot to experiment with idioms, but you shouldn't try to force anything.
To improve your GRA score, try using a variety of sentence structures. Join ideas together with connectors.
Don't be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake; doing so will hinder your fluency.
Make an effort to use appropriate examples in the second and third sections.
If you didn't catch the interviewer's question the first time, feel free to ask him to repeat it, but try not to do it too often.
Don't speak too slowly or too quickly. Maintain a steady tempo.
Check for emphasizing and annotations.
Do not cram vocabulary or memorize answers because they are straightforward to spot. Attempt to speak in a more casual manner.
Official Band Scores: 8.0/9.0 [Listening - 9.0/9.0, Reading - 8.5/9.0, Writing - 6.5/9.0, Speaking - 7.0/9.0].
Date & Time: October 08, 2022, 1:30 PM. (LRW - Manarat Int. School, Dhaka); October 06, 2022, 4:30 PM. (Speaking - FutureEd English Language Insititute, Dhaka) [Virtual] - under British Council.
I watched numerous TV series and movies, which greatly aided me in this process.
When I practiced, I got an 8+ most of the time because I didn't have trouble understanding them because of the accent.
I may have missed one or two points where the speed was relatively faster (very rare).
In the actual test, the speed was decent, although some singular and plural verbs confused me.
For the listening section, I completed Cambridge 14-17.
I took the GRE before the IELTS, which was advantageous to me. Reading comprehension on the IELTS test is substantially easier than on the GRE.
Most of the time, I incorrectly chose the Not Given and False responses.
Every time I practiced, I got 7.5 or higher. I completed Cambridge 16 and 17.
My actual test contained one difficult passage, one medium passage, and one simple passage. However, this combo may not be available for everyone. Sometimes there are two difficult passages.
I almost didn't complete it in the given time since the difficult one took nearly 30 minutes. So, don't spend more than 20 minutes on a single passage. You can save time by writing the answers right on the answer scripts.
I try to answer questions about a single paragraph after reading only that specific one. It was useful in avoiding confusion and gathering enough ideas for the entire section ahead of time.
I didn't practice writing much because I had already taken the GRE, so it came naturally to me.
I only needed to master the framework and a few vocabulary words related to the topic in order to do well.
I learned a plethora of useful connectors that can be applied in various situations, and I also became accustomed to employing various sentence structures.
I would advise everyone to practice at least one writing assignment from each question type. Give a few practice exams as well to gain general feedback for development.
For helpful tips, follow IELTS Liz.
Although I am happy with what I got, I had at least 7.0 expectations. Having seen some of my friends' results, I believe if I had taken the test under IDP, I could have gotten at least a 7. or even a 7.5.
I used a pencil for writing, but I had no experience with it beforehand, which slowed me down, and I barely finished in time.
I took my speaking exam prior to LRW. I'm not sure which is best suited. But since I finished speaking before the LRW, I was happy that it was all over.
My test was administered through video conference, and the British man who was my examiner was modest. His pronunciations were clear, and I believe taking the test over the call is easier compared to doing it in person. But it could differ from person to person.
I did well in the first section, which made me feel more confident. But because the cue card was outside of my comfort zone, I struggled in the second segment, which had an impact on my responses in the third. I thought I could achieve a band of 7.5 or higher, but I'm satisfied with the result.
I tried to maintain a smile the entire time, which I believe helped.
I read Makkar Speaking promptly and carefully followed the English Speaking Success Tips. IELTS Liz is also quite effective.
I worked on my stammering every day by practicing with a friend.
To make it sound more natural, I also paid attention to how I used connectors and idioms.
There were no dates available in my desired time frame for the test I intended to administer at the British Council. For the LRW exam and speaking, I, therefore, chose Manarat International School and FutureEd. I have no complaints about any of the centers.
The speaking test was set by FutureEd for 4:30 but was postponed for two hours owing to the interviewer's cancellation, which negatively impacted my speaking. But it was really fantastic that the speaking booth was soundproof and secluded.
Manarat International School was excellent as well, but for the listening portion, an IR headset was provided. If you are seated far from the source, you can experience some connectivity problems. However, they were very sensible about it and kept looking for connections until none of the test takers objected. My table was uncomfortable, but they immediately changed it. Overall, I'm satisfied with the endeavor.
They made a copy of my passport for me because I forgot to bring one.
Never leave anything unattended; there is no penalty.
I picked IELTS over TOEFL for two reasons: one, it will allow me to apply to a variety of universities around the world, most particularly Canada, and second, I had heard negative things about some TOEFL test centers. Even though some people would argue that TOEFL is easier than IELTS, and I can understand their arguments, I haven't taken the TOEFL myself to form an opinion.
13 days following my LRW test, I did receive my results.
Due to the extra time at the end of the listening portion and my comfort with reading passages from a paperback instead of a computer screen during the reading portion, I opted for the paper-based test over the computer-based test. But I feel like I could have performed better on the computer-based exam for writing.
I highly advise taking the IELTS following the GRE; you will find it to be much easier than the GRE.
Get a good night's sleep.
Take a shower if it helps you concentrate.
Drink cha/coffee to keep your mind sharp and have a full stomach.
Try to arrive at the exam center at least an hour early.
Before entering the center, use the restroom.
Check that you have everything you need: your pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener, passport, photocopy of the passport, and clear water bottle. (However, the testing location has pencils and pens available.)
Don't panic. It will pay off if you have worked hard.
Before beginning the test, double-check your commodities.
Dress appropriately for a thoroughly air-conditioned atmosphere.
Especially if you have a profession that doesn't leave much room for preparation, I recommend setting aside at least two/three weeks to prepare for the exam.
Take care of yourself while going through this.
Try at least one in-person mock test in advance.
For better writing results, I recommend taking the test with IDP.
If your final grades are worse than anticipated, it's not the world's end. The test can be taken again as often as you like.
By post – Sending the first five copies within 42 days from the exam date is free, and after that, the fee will be BDT 1500 per address.
[All the underlined phrases are external links.]