You may have heard from other IELTS exam takers that the test can be difficult if you come unprepared on examination day. Preparing for this exam requires that you focus on several different areas of English including:
• Speaking
• Listening
• Writing
• Reading
Before you start worrying, you need to remember the difficulty perceived will vary from one person to the next. One person might tell you the listening and reading sections were the hardest, while someone else may say to you that the writing and speaking sections were the hardest for them.
How hard you find the IELTS exam will depending on how much you practice ahead of time, your particular learning style, and your ability to retain what you learned. The best place to start your exam prep is to perform a self-assessment of the various examination areas.
Speaking
The speaking section might seem easy for many people if they've been practicing speaking English on a regular basis. However, it's important to fully answer questions and stay on topic while doing so. Straying from the main topic is where some people have difficulties.
Listening
The listening section requires you to pay attention and to listen to what's being said to you before answering the questions. Many people find this test section one of the hardest if they haven't prepared ahead of time using test prep tools, or by listening to English music or by watching English television shows.
Writing
This section of the exam requires you to complete two writing tasks. What people find the most challenging, is being able to write complete answers for each task within the allowed time limit. You only have a total of one hour to complete this section, with 20 minutes allotted for the first task and 40 minutes for the second task. You must also satisfy the minimum number of words for each task.
Reading
The reading section has a one-hour time limit. You must answer 40 questions while reading well over 2,000 words. People may find this section hard if they haven't practiced their English vocabulary and they may have problems scanning and skimming the test text. You'll want to spend time reading English books, newspapers, and magazines to improve scanning and skimming skills, as well as your English vocabulary.
IDP Canada offers different practice examinations you can take as many times as you want to help prepare for your actual IELTS exam. You can use these to get a better idea of what areas are going to be more difficult for you and will require more study and preparation.
Any areas where you're struggling, you may also want to seek outside help from a qualified tutor. As you improve your English skills in each of the exam areas, remember to retake practice tests to see if you find the sections less challenging to complete.
Please feel free to explore our website further for test preparation materials and practice tests, or contact your nearest IELTS Canada test location directly.
I'm an IELTS expert with extensive knowledge and experience in preparing candidates for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Over the years, I've worked closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate the complexities of the test and achieve their desired scores. My expertise is not merely theoretical; I've actively engaged in designing and implementing effective preparation strategies, staying abreast of the latest test trends and patterns.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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IELTS Exam Overview:
- The IELTS exam assesses proficiency in four key language skills: Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading.
- Individual experiences of difficulty vary based on personal learning styles, preparation, and practice.
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Speaking Section:
- Emphasizes the importance of answering questions fully and staying on topic.
- Acknowledges that regular English practice enhances performance in this section.
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Listening Section:
- Highlights the challenge of this section for those unprepared, suggesting the use of test prep tools, English music, and TV shows for practice.
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Writing Section:
- Describes the requirement to complete two writing tasks within a limited time frame.
- Stresses the challenge of meeting the minimum word count for each task.
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Reading Section:
- Indicates the time constraint (one hour) for answering 40 questions based on a 2,000+ word passage.
- Identifies potential difficulties related to vocabulary, scanning, and skimming.
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Preparation Strategies:
- Recommends a self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses in each examination area.
- Advocates regular practice tests, utilizing resources provided by organizations like IDP Canada.
- Suggests seeking outside help from qualified tutors for areas of struggle.
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IDP Canada Practice Examinations:
- Offers practice examinations to help candidates gauge their preparedness.
- Encourages multiple attempts to identify challenging areas for focused study.
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Continuous Improvement:
- Stresses the importance of ongoing improvement in English skills in each exam area.
- Advises retaking practice tests to measure progress and identify less challenging sections.
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External Support:
- Recommends seeking assistance from qualified tutors for personalized guidance.
- Highlights IDP Canada's resources for additional test preparation materials and practice tests.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the IELTS exam, emphasizing the importance of targeted preparation and continuous improvement in each language skill. It offers practical advice and resources to help test takers navigate the challenges and succeed in their IELTS journey.
