I managed to score an 8 in IELTS (academic)
From no where I thought I should give IELTS (may be I will apply for my Masters some time too). Anyway my friend told me to pay the fees a month before, which will make me prepare for the test (which I absolutely did not, till the last week). Anyway I will keep it short, the article have some links and basic tips, nothing in detail. If you are looking for specific detail then this article will not help.
You can read about the format in this link
Secondly, download this app for practice, for Android and IOS.
Thirdly, subscribe to this youtube channels,
I will put in some specific videos I used from both the channels
Writing
- For writing task 2, I again used Jay’s video to learn a bit, here is the video link
- For writing task 1, Jay is pretty great at explaining it, here is the video link
- How to describe a bar chart
- IELTS Writing task 1 Map vocabulary
- IELTS Writing task 1: Vocabulary for accurate data
- Grammar for IELTS Writing: Connecting Sentences ( I always struggle in this)
- Grammar for IELTS Writing Task 2: Adding a clause
- Look for Writing Task 1 model answers on this website
- Google model answers of Writing 2 and just go through them.
- Practice as much as you can, that’s the right way
- Look for practice test like the image below or google will help you in that too.
Speaking
- For speaking make sure you speak slowly and practice with a friend, the first time I tried, I was done speaking in first 30 seconds given you have to speak for 2 minutes on a topic given by the examiner. Speak slowly(normal pace) and articulately. Don’t go to the exam without practice. Just give an hour or two to practice speaking but do it seriously.
- Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDv9njERj0s
Listening
Practice only, no other tips, make sure you practice for the format you have booked the test . Computer based or the paper one. Use the app to practice. They have good sample examples.
Reading
I think, I am probably a good reader given I read a lot of books, so that helped. I practiced for 2 days, try to skim the details and focus on important part in the comprehension, that will help you get to the answer quickly. Try to read the passage quickly first time and don’t try to understand it completely. Move to the questions and then go back to the passage again.
