Last Minute Time-Saving IELTS Exam Tips

Introduction

One well-known test to determine if someone is qualified to study or work in nations where English is the official language, such as the United States of America (USA), Canada, Australia, New zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK), is the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS. A candidate must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for the IELTS exam; the only exception to this criterion is if an applicant’s results are required to meet admission requirements at a school or college. We’ll talk about last-minute IELTS time-saving strategies in this blog.

Last Minute Tips for IELTS Exam

Here are a few last-minute IELTS test recommendations. You can use these pointers to help you both before and during the test:

1. Verify the date and time of the test: You must confirm the test’s date and time twice. On exam day, plan to be at the testing location early and leave additional time; if you come late, you may not be permitted to take the test.

2. Carry ID Card: This is a need. Identification documentation, such as the passport or national identity card you used to register for the exam, must be carried with you.

3. Arrive early: Make sure you know the test center’s location and how long it will take them to get there from their home. Arrive on time, or you won’t be permitted to enter. Try to arrive at the center at least an hour before the exam.

4. Remain Hydrated: Water is available at the testing facility. Dark bottles are prohibited, while clear ones are acceptable. Maintaining fluid intake is critical during extended exam periods.

5. Do not carry mobile phones: Cellular devices and other electronic devices are not permitted in the testing room. There will be no exceptions for mobile phones. Applicants must not bring in any electronic devices, including computers or cell phones. You must leave all your personal belongings outside the examination hall in a locker. 

6. Refrain from being bothered about pen, pencil, and eraser: Bring no paper into the exam room. The examination center will also provide you with pens, pencils, and erasers. All that is required to attempt the speaking test is ID proof; nothing else. Pencil boxes and pouches are not permitted in the exam room.

7. Use the restroom before the exam starts: It is preferable to save time by using it before the test begins, even if applicants are permitted to do so throughout the reading and writing portions.

8. Remain focused: Take the test only after thoroughly studying the outline and curriculum. Maintain your composure and attention throughout the exam. 

IELTS Listening Tips

• Make sure your headphones are in working order before starting your listening test. Always get clarification by asking questions if you are unsure of something.

• Ensure the speaker volume is appropriate in advance if the exam is being administered using a shared speaker system.

• Before responding to the questions within the allotted time, ensure you have read through every one sent to you throughout the preparation period.

• While you listen to the audio, note any replies that seem pertinent to the questions on the question paper.

• While crafting your responses, consider how many words are required for each question. During this time, develop a framework design for your responses. 

• Grammar must be checked in the 10 minutes you have to write down your answers in your answer booklet before submitting. You are strongly advised to write your responses in block or capital letters.

IELTS Reading Tips

• Before reading the sections, carefully read each question and highlight any critical words. This will make it simpler for you to obtain precise responses.

• Read the passage when you arrive there to have a general understanding of its topic. Words whose meanings you are unaware of shouldn’t worry you. As you read, underline or highlight the terms. If these details become necessary to address any of the questions, it will be helpful to locate them later. Afterwards, review each question to find the solution you finally decided on.

• Never rely on your expertise to find the solution. For the answer, consult the passage alone. 

• When copying terms from the passage to use in your response, please pay close attention to how you spell them.

• The passage contains the words you will need if you are asked to label a diagram. Determine which paragraphs they belong to, then carefully replicate them using the correct spelling.

• If you are stuck and unable to locate the answer to a particular question, proceed to the next one. Keep in mind that every question is equally important. If you have time at the end, revisit these questions. 

• There is no additional time to transfer your answers after the exam, so if you are taking the reading portion of the paper-based IELTS, be sure to write down your responses immediately on the answer sheet rather than the question paper. 

IELTS Writing Tips

• Before beginning to answer the exam questions and writing them on the answer booklet for your final submission, determine roughly how many words you will need to complete the assignment. For Task 1, write at least 150 words, and for Task 2, write at least 250 words. Stay under 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2.

• Since the examiner won’t be reviewing your mind map anyhow, creating one for your essay on the exam question paper is a good idea.

• A clear and concise summary of your Task 1 should be included, ensuring you have covered all the guidelines in your letter in GT Task 1. Writing a conclusion for your Task 2 assignment is a must.

• Always check your grammar and structure your response into body paragraphs when submitting. If you run out of paper in the exam room, get extras. 

IELTS Speaking Tips

• Before the test, get as much practice as possible speaking English. Talk about familiar subjects and past encounters.

• We’ll conduct a formal interview. Be confident, formal, and forthright. Be vocal, share your thoughts, and express yourself.

• As you hear the questions, prepare your responses in advance and respond right away. Don’t squander time. But if answering a question takes a while, take a moment to reflect.

• Enunciation is crucial. Use terms that you are confident with, and don’t worry about your accent. Avoid mispronouncing words. Use short, straightforward language.

• Continue discussing and imparting your knowledge until the examiner poses a fresh question. Provide as many specifics and facts as you can. This illustrates the breadth of expertise.

• The word power is crucial. It accounts for 25% of the total speaking time.

• When communicating, grammar is crucial. When communicating, use the appropriate tense.

• Steer clear of fillers like yes, you know, well, etc.

• It sounds excellent to combine British and American accents. It’s okay, though, even if you only use one.

• Interruptions will come from the examiner. It is expected during the checkup, so don’t worry.

• Applicants are given a pen and paper to prepare for task 2. It’s acceptable to make notes, plan, and write while speaking. The examiner will focus on the applicant’s speaking abilities, not the notes or strategy.  

Things to Avoid During the IELTS Exam

As the day of the IELTS test approaches, you can find it challenging to know what to do and what not to do. Here are some things you should avoid on the day of the exam: 

1. Take your time responding to the questions 

Please pause for a moment or two to gather your thoughts before speaking. This would assist you in arranging your ideas more rapidly and providing a more comprehensive response. You risk providing a response that is difficult to understand and disorganized if you respond quickly. Take a little bit of time to compose a response you believe is appropriate. It is best to jot down some notes on the provided paper for the second speaking test section. Before the recording begins for the listening test, rapidly read the questions and concentrate on listening for the answers.

2. Never respond to a question that you cannot understand 

Some questions on the IELTS exam may need to be clarified. If that occurs during the IELTS Speaking examination, you have the option to ask the examiner to repeat the question or provide clarification. While asking for clarification or explanation is acceptable, you shouldn’t keep asking during the test.

3. Be bold and correct yourself

If you have made a mistake on the IELTS Speaking test, please correct yourself. This would demonstrate to the examiner that you know your mistakes and can make amends.

4. Refrain from memorizing the answers 

Memorizing answers is not advised. It will not help to have a scripted response ready in advance, as the examiner will be able to recognize that it is scripted, which will lower your score.

5. Steer clear of using technical terms

Some applicants believe it’s a good idea to use “big” words when taking the writing and reading portions of the test. The words must seem natural and be used correctly. If you don’t fully comprehend a word, you can misuse it, which could affect your speaking and writing results.

6. Only use it if you are clear about the grammar

Never employ grammar with which you are not entirely comfortable. Ensure you correctly employ verb tenses, transitions, connectors, and other grammar-related aspects. Use caution while using something you’re unsure of because it’s better to be safe than sorry.

7. Don’t remain silent

Ensure that you write during the writing test and speak during the speaking test. Your examiner will expect you to write and speak to assess your language proficiency. The examiner will get the wrong idea if you remain mute throughout the speaking portion of the examination or choose to write with blank spaces instead. The same applies to the listening and reading assessments; any blank responses will be considered inaccurate.

8. Remember to get right to the point 

Recall to stay on topic when responding to writing and speaking exam questions. Rephrasing or repeating the question is not recommended. Don’t evade the topic or rewrite history; get right to the point. This could lower your score and could be a better use of effort.

9. Remain composed and avoid becoming anxious

It would help if you controlled your anxieties when taking the IELTS exam. Although it’s normal to feel anxious, you can manage your anxiety on test day by practicing breathing techniques, setting aside some quiet time, eating well before the test, and getting enough sleep the night before. 

List of Things to Carry for IELTS Exam Day

It is essential to familiarize yourself with the list of items you can and cannot bring to the test center before receiving any advice on ace the IELTS. These are the following:

• You must carry identification documentation, such as your passport or national ID card, whichever you used to register for the IELTS.

• The Speaking exam will also require the same documentation. The test center employees will verify the identity, which IELTS-speaking examiners will then verify again.

• As your photo is taken upon registration at the IELTS test center, candidates do not need to carry any passport photos on exam day. 

• Pens, pencils, and erasers are permitted on paper in IELTS exams. However, the center will supply you with the necessary pencil and paper for computer-based IELTS assessments.

• Examinees are permitted to bring their cell phones, but they must turn them off and put them in the designated spot the examiner designates alongside their other possessions.
• It is not advised to bring expensive goods to the testing location, and electronic devices are not permitted in the facility.

• You can only have a clear water bottle and the essential stationery during the exam.

• Exam takers’ families and children are not permitted in the testing facility. Family members who want to wait for a candidate must be outside the center. 

Conclusion

To sum up, the IELTS last-minute study recommendations are a valuable tool for avoiding exam anxiety on test day. These pointers will help you confidently prepare for the test without forgetting any critical data. For information on Language Tests, you can visit the official website of the Government of Canada.