*IELTS for beginners: How to start IELTS Preparation*
Beginning your journey into IELTS can be overwhelming, so we developed a guide: IELTS for Beginners.
1. FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED
The first step begins with understanding the requirements. Whether for work, immigration or study, the score needed will be laid out for you. Along with that comes understanding if you need General or Academic IELTS.
2. LEARN THE FORMAT OF THE TEST
So, now you know you need to take it, but what is it? The next step involves learning about the different sections of the IELTS test, question types, timing, etc.
After you have familiarized yourself with the IELTS exam, you need to see where you are in terms of the score you need. You can take sample IELTS reading and listening tests or you can take online placement tests to get a general sense of your level.
3. PLAN YOU IELTS PREPARATION
Once you know your level, you can plot out your IELTS preparation. Do you need to improve your overall language level before you can really start preparing for IELTS? This is really common if you are aiming for a higher band score but have a level of below 6. Maybe you will need the help of a tutor or a lot of self-guided study but if your level is well below a 7 just preparing for IELTS will not help you get that score- some general English study will be necessary!
4. IMPROVE YOU SCORE
When trying to improve your overall level, it is crucial to read as much high-quality English as possible! You can read from online news sites like BBC, The Guardian, The Times or New York Times. Don’t just read for comprehension but also for grammar and vocabulary tidbits that will help your writing and speaking.
Prepare to do a lot of reading and listening practice tests – there are tons available!
When you prepare for speaking and writing, start first with the Band Descriptors. Get an IELTS tutor to explain to them if you can or else read them carefully to understand what you need to do. When it comes to speaking and writing, some professional help goes a long way to get an experienced tutor to guide you and review your work. The payoff, in the end, will be worth it!!!
Keep practicing all test areas right up to your exam – never leave one behind because you feel confided in that section. It’s important to keep all the test-taking skills fresh and ready to go!!!
