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These tricks will definitely BOOST your IELTS scores.
1. Forget everything you think you know about the English language. The International English Language Testing Scheme— IELTS is set to test your level of communication in English, over your knowledge.
It is not your regular English language test.
It is not your regular English language test.
2. SPEAKING
If you are not a native English speaker (British), DO NOT try to speak with a British accent, you’ll embarrass yourself. Be confident in yourself and your accent. If you are a Nigerian, speak like a Nigerian. Be audible and pronounce your words properly and clearly.
If you are not a native English speaker (British), DO NOT try to speak with a British accent, you’ll embarrass yourself. Be confident in yourself and your accent. If you are a Nigerian, speak like a Nigerian. Be audible and pronounce your words properly and clearly.
Avoid excessive use of fillers such as; em, eh, urr, mmm. These are signs that you have poor expressiveness and limited vocabulary.
Improve your vocabulary, use less common words. Say “enormous” in place of “very large”, use “minute” in place of “very small”, etc.
Improve your vocabulary, use less common words. Say “enormous” in place of “very large”, use “minute” in place of “very small”, etc.
Watch your tone and pace. Do not be too loud or quiet, and do not be too fast or slow.
Do not reply yes/no to any question and end it there. Remember, they want to know if you can communicate; so, talk. Be descriptive.
Do not reply yes/no to any question and end it there. Remember, they want to know if you can communicate; so, talk. Be descriptive.
When asked a question you do not understand, always seek clarification. Say things like, “I did not quite understand your question, could you rephrase...” Remember, they are testing your ability to communicate.
When asked a question you have no answer to, please avoid lying. Do not be afraid to say you do not know. Remember, communication over knowledge. Albeit, do not just say “I do not know”, be descriptive. “I am afraid I am not familiar with what you are asking, however...”
Lastly, do not try to memorize your answers. I know there are practice questions online, but you can never know the exact questions you’ll be ask. More so, memorized answers come out like recitations.
One thing is certain, you’ll be asked to introduce yourself. Prepare for this!
One thing is certain, you’ll be asked to introduce yourself. Prepare for this!
3. LISTENING
The major trick to passing the listening test is focus. As long as you are focused, this will be a walk in the park.
If you are also familiar with foreign movies, news, music, and you can understand what they say word for word as soon as you listen, then great!
The major trick to passing the listening test is focus. As long as you are focused, this will be a walk in the park.
If you are also familiar with foreign movies, news, music, and you can understand what they say word for word as soon as you listen, then great!
For those who aren’t so used to foreign media, don’t fret, the practice questions will help.
Please, forget about all your problems and worries before taking this test. You don’t need any form of mental noise causing distractions. Clear your mind completely.
Please, forget about all your problems and worries before taking this test. You don’t need any form of mental noise causing distractions. Clear your mind completely.
Rid your mind and head also of the fear or difficulty of the test. If you do not, your focus will be divided... bad!
Listen carefully and write your answers as soon as you hear the questions. Do not say you’ll come back at the end, you do not have that luxury of time.
Listen carefully and write your answers as soon as you hear the questions. Do not say you’ll come back at the end, you do not have that luxury of time.
If by chance you did not hear what question was asked or a statement that was made, forget about it and move to the next. If you spend a second thought rethinking, you’ll miss the next, and then the next, and it goes on and on. So, keep moving. Better to miss one than ten.
4. READING
In this test, you’ll be given passages to read and then answer questions. There’s just one trick to passing this. DO NOT READ THE PASSAGE. You have limited time to read 4 lengthy passages and respond to 40 questions.
Please, Google Skimming/Scanning in IELTS reading
In this test, you’ll be given passages to read and then answer questions. There’s just one trick to passing this. DO NOT READ THE PASSAGE. You have limited time to read 4 lengthy passages and respond to 40 questions.
Please, Google Skimming/Scanning in IELTS reading
5. WRITING
This is probably the trickiest section of the 4. Averagely, most test takers score their lowest in writing. Not to worry, ace the other 3 and do okay here and you’ll be home and dry.
Emphasis is on communication as usual. How well can you communicate in writing?
This is probably the trickiest section of the 4. Averagely, most test takers score their lowest in writing. Not to worry, ace the other 3 and do okay here and you’ll be home and dry.
Emphasis is on communication as usual. How well can you communicate in writing?
Use more complex vocabulary. Do not try to be verbose and over burden your writing with junk and words you do not know their meanings. So from today, start learning new words. Similarly speaking, write “transparent” instead of “very honest”, etc.
Study how to explain charts, graphs and maps. Focus on how to explain information in charts and graphs and how to explain positioning on maps, very important.
Also ensure to learn how to apply basic punctuation marks, it’ll help.
Also ensure to learn how to apply basic punctuation marks, it’ll help.
In general, time is of the essence. You have limited time to answer your questions, make sure you practice your timing.
Use a stopwatch when answering practice questions at home.
As much as you have to be correct, you also have to be fast. NO TIME!
Use a stopwatch when answering practice questions at home.
As much as you have to be correct, you also have to be fast. NO TIME!
Also, your spelling. Right answers with wrong spellings will not be accepted.
In closing, there are millions of study guides online. Try not to overwhelm yourself with so many because of the fear of the “almighty” IELTS.
In closing, there are millions of study guides online. Try not to overwhelm yourself with so many because of the fear of the “almighty” IELTS.
Do not underrate YouTube. If you need practice questions, videos of actual speaking tests to learn from, more tips on how to improve your vocabulary, just search on YouTube.
I wish you luck.
Please stay home, wash your hands, and stay safe
I wish you luck.
Please stay home, wash your hands, and stay safe
