IELTS speaking tips

The test consists of three parts. In the first part the examiner will ask you to introduce yourself. He can ask some relevant questions.

In the second part you will be given a sheet of paper with a topic written on it. You have to speak for 2 minutes on this topic. You will be given 1 minute to write down your ideas.

1. Ensure you read all the questions concerning to the topic, written on the paper. It generally has two or three parts which you will have to talk about. Don't miss out any query.
2. Write down your ideas about the topic in given one minute. Two minutes can be a long time to talk alone and the notes you make will help you keep talking for the full two minutes.
3. Whatever examiner asks you answer the question and don’t worry about its facts because assessment will be on your language fluency and grammatical accuracy not your knowledge.
4. The most important thing which will help you in the speaking test is to use English in your everyday conversations. Avoid communicating in your native language for a few weeks before the test and speak only in English. This will make you self-assured and you will talk confidently and smoothly in the test. Watch English movies and English programs on television to improve your accent and to develop your vocabulary.

Source : ilmkidunya.com

IELTS reading tips

1. 1. The reading test is considered is the most difficult part of IELTS. You have to read 3 long sections, each with multiple paragraphs, and answer 40 questions (13 to 14 per section). Unlike the listening test, no extra time is given at the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Time can be a major constraint since you only have an hour to finish the test.
2. The key to doing well in this part is practice. Read newspapers, magazines and books.
3. Try to improve your reading skills and speed.
4. The most important thing to understand is the test does NOT assess your comprehension of the paragraphs. It does NOT test how well you have understood the passage. It tests specific skills called Scanning and Skimming.
5. Scanning is what one does, for example, when looking for a phone number in a directory. You know the specific information you are looking for and you go down the page quickly to find it. This technique is used when answering questions such as multiple-choice and matching. You scan the passage to quickly find the information mentioned in the question. Once you find it, you get the answer from the passage and write it against the question.
6. Skimming refers to evaluate a paragraph rapidly to get an idea about it without trying to understand its details.
7. Time factor is very crucial in this module so be careful about the time.
8. First read all the questions quickly to get an idea of what type of information is essential.
9. Underline the important information such as dates, places and names while reading.
10. Once you go through all the questions, skim over the text and underline important parts. If you see any information concerning to the questions answer the question while reading.
11. Respond the questions one by one with the help of the underlined parts of the passage.
12. The answers typically appear in the content in the same order as the queries; the answer to query 4 will be prior in the content than the answer to question 5. But it is not necessary.
13. Read the directions for each question very vigilantly. If the question specifies that you must not use more than three words in your answer then you are bond to in three words three words.
14. Be careful about the True / False / Not given and Yes / No / Not given questions these are the toughest ones.
15. If you don’t know the answer of a question move on next question don’t waste your time on a question.

Source : ilmkidunya.com

IELTS test format - IELTS Tips and tricks

To succeed in the IELTS exam, a candidate has to know the test pattern and the particular techniques for answering questions. Make sure you are fully prepared with this knowledge. Don't believe people who tell you that IELTS needs no preparation if your English is good. Even if it is, you still require learning the right abilities for the test. Experts suggested a period of two weeks as preparation time, though this would vary depending on your level of familiarity with English. The test fees are high and if you don't get the band score that you need, you have to take test again. Like in all other exams, practice is the key to doing well in the IELTS. Make sure you have done it before you appear for the test. Make well-known yourself with the test format.

All candidates must complete four Modules:

1. Listening
2. Reading
3. Writing
4. Speaking

1. Listening
   This module consists of four sections and each has 10 questions. Candidates will be given question paper consisting of variety of questions including: multiple choice, short answer questions, and sentence completion, summary, labeling a map/diagram/plan, matching etc. Candidates will hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are allowed at the end of recordings.
2. Reading
   There are two types of reading modules one for Academic Version another for General Training Version, each has three sections with 40 questions. Candidates will be given three readings which may be taken from advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, books and magazines. The first section contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English while the next sections are more difficult. Candidate has 20 minutes for completion of each section.
3. Writing
   There are two types of writing modules one for Academic Version another for General Training Version. In each module candidates have 20 minutes for the task 1 and write 150 words and 40 minutes for task 2 which requires 250 words.
   Candidates will be given a diagram or some data (graphs, table or chart) in task 1 and they have to present the given information in their own words.
   In task 2 there is a point of view, argument or problem and candidates have to give their opinion with arguments and illustrations.
4. Speaking
   This module consists of an oral interview between the candidate and an examiner. It takes 11 to 15 minutes. It has three parts, in first part candidate will introduce himself to the examiner and answer the general questions asked by examiner. It takes 4 to 5 minutes.
   In second part candidates have to talk on a particular topic for 2 to 3 minutes and he has one minute to prepare himself or make notes about the topic. Examiner can ask questions about the discussion. In third part examiner and candidate engage in a dialogue on an abstract issue which is linked to the topic of second part for 5 minutes.
   This module will assess whether candidates can communicate effectively in English. The assessment takes on fluency, consistency and grammatical accuracy.

Source : ilmkidunya.com