Tips and Tricks to Crack the IELTS Exam in the First Attempt

International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is one of the standardized tests to assess the English language proficiency of applicants who want to study or work in countries where English is the language of communication. To study or immigrate, applicants must score the required IELTS band as required by English-speaking countries and study abroad programs. The IELTS examination focuses on evaluating the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills of the applicants taking the test. There are two modes of the IELTS examination: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic is meant for applicants who are willing to pursue higher education at reputed overseas educational institutions. IELTS General Training is taken by applicants applying to study below degree level, to immigrate, work, and settle down overseas. 

Tips to crack IELTS exam in the first attempt

IELTS is an expensive examination, and it is recommended that the applicants prepare well and crack the examination with the desired or target band in the very first attempt. Though it is conducted around the year with unlimited attempts, it is always the best experience for applicants to get the eligible band score to pursue higher studies or settle down in their dream country. IELTS is a standardized examination, and the level of examination is set as per the proficiency level of graduates and postgraduate degree holders. To crack the test on the very first attempt, applicants need to focus and prepare well for all the four compulsory sections of the examination. The importance of both spoken and written English language skills along with the right techniques can help a test taker crack IELTS in the first attempt. To help, here are some tips and tricks to crack IELTS in the very first attempt. 

How to crack the IELTS exam on the first attempt?

The IELTS examination has four sections to evaluate English language proficiency among non-native English-speaking applicants. To crack IELTS in the first attempt with a band score of more than 7, applicants need to pay attention and focus individually on all four test sections-writing, reading, speaking, and listening sections. 

Tips for the writing section

• Work on vocabulary. It is not important to use the longest English language words, but try to avoid using the most commonly used terms. Good vocabulary knowledge is extremely beneficial. Use positive and less recognized words to give an idea about the strength of your English language vocabulary. 
• The writing section will be lengthy. There will be two tasks in the writing section. The first task will be a letter of 150-word length and the second task will be of 250 words. Stick to the word length and do not write extra by wasting time. One needs to complete the entire section of writing without keeping any task incomplete. 
• Grammatical errors should be completely avoided. Focus on using the right range of tenses in the tasks. Sentence construction and grammatical errors should be avoided. While minor ones are okay, major ones will bring low band in the writing section. Tasks in writing should be grammatically correct. 
• Practice writing letters and essays as per the word count every day by timing yourself. Generating ideas and examples specific to the question within 60 minutes for 2 tasks will be difficult. Take time, practice, and slowly try to complete the tasks within the given time frame. The more one practices, the better it will be. 
• Pick a topic and write on it. Ask your teacher or friend to analyze it. Rewrite the same work to get a better understanding of the mistakes you committed. Use the topics that are used in everyday life, related to general and socio-cultural affairs. 
• For task 1, always focus on writing a letter as per the format. If you are asked to write a formal letter, the tone and flow of words should be formal and not informal or semi-formal. Make the right use of words in the letter. The purpose of the letter should be well justified. 
• Writing a good introduction and conclusion for both the writing tasks is very important. For the letter as well as the descriptive essay, one needs to prepare a good, catchy, and interesting introduction and conclusion. If you have the last 2 minutes in the examination, make sure you write a good conclusion, as it adds to a good band in the writing section.

Tips for the reading section

• Read English every day. It can be anything like a magazine, a newspaper, a journal, or an article where you will get to read long passages. This gives an applicant a good hold over English language reading skills. 
• Practice complicated and difficult passages before taking the examination so that you are ready to answer all types of questions in the test. Don’t limit yourself to basic and simple questions. 
• Skim the passages that are given in the examination. There is no need to understand and read each and every word in the passage. Focus on the relevant information and details that are important to answer the questions. The key is to quickly find the relevant details without wasting time on reading the entire passage. 
• Applicants must increase proficiency in English grammar. The answers should be grammatically correct. 
• Applicants should time themselves to read a passage within a particular time limit. The time factor is very strict and applicants need to manage the time or else they will not be able to complete the examination. 
• Work on vocabulary. Try to learn new words that are not used in normal everyday conversation. Writing good answers will help the applicants get a good band in the reading section. 
• While taking the test, read the questions and then the passage. This way, the students will be able to answer 50% of the answers in just one reading. Scan the details and correct answers to the questions in the reading task. Scanning of information should be practiced. 
• Write answers and get them checked. Feedback is very important before taking the test. Improve yourself before taking the test so that you are able to crack the examination on the very first attempt.

Tips for the listening section

• Read all the questions at the beginning cautiously before the audio clips start. This will help applicants to follow the recording & identify the appropriate answer. 
• Practice listening to recordings and audio clips before taking the test. Listen to both American and British accent clips. It is recommended to listen to mixed accents as well. It prepares you well for the test.
• Focus on the introduction of the audio clips. The introduction carries all the small and minor, but the most important details and information about the situation and characters. 
• Don’t use practice tests to improve your score; they will not be enough. Listen to general listening materials like radio reports, TV shows, documentary programs. This will increase your listening skills, vocabulary, and ability to scan answers and remember them to write the answers to the questions. 
• Polish and learn all the vocabulary related to the topic. Learn all the vocabulary you will find relevant to the topic of study. 
• Practice meditation to build effective concentration skills. It is important to be focused while listening to the audio. The audio clip will only be played once. 
• Keywords and word indicators are very important. Word indicators are signs to understand the relevant and important details and information about the characters or situations in the audio clips. 
• After listening to the clips, applicants get 10 minutes to write their accurate answers. Directly write down the answers on the answer sheet without wasting time transferring from the rough to the final answer sheet.

Tips for the speaking section

• It is an excellent idea for you to speak to someone who is fluent in English, rather than just practicing by yourself. Applicants must speak English regularly with friends and family to build fluency and confidence. 
• Make sure to get involved in the conversation and concentrate on the questions being asked.
• While listening to the questions, applicants must formulate the answers in their minds to immediately answer them. It is okay to pause and think while answering. Make sure you don’t stammer and speak fluently. 
• Pronunciation is the key to cracking the speaking section. Do not use too long or complicated words that you are not very confident about. Use simple and small words that you can fluently pronounce without making any mistakes. 
• The answers to the questions should have information, detail, ideas, and valuable opinion. It is important to prepare answers that are relevant to the questions. 
• Work on vocabulary and grammar. Use the right tenses and grammatical range while speaking. The examiners will not judge your answers on the basis of right or wrong, but how good they are. 
• Practice speaking on various general and educational topics to build confidence, gain information, and improve fluency in the English language. 

Conclusion

IELTS is a vital examination for applicants who are willing to study, work or settle down in English-speaking countries. It is a high-level standardized English proficiency examination that can be cracked in the very first attempt with dedication, techniques, and hard work.