For the IELTS on paper test, you can bring pens, pencils, and erasers, but for the IELTS on computer test, paper and pencils are provided for you. It is okay to bring a mobile phone, but you have to switch it off and place it with your other personal belongings in a special area arranged by the test supervisor.
As an international student hoping to study in a foreign country, it is important to prepare and make available certain certificates that will ensure that your admission process goes without hassles. One of such certificates is the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) which is most preferred by students because of its wide acceptance in the international community. There are certain things to know before applying for the IELTS examination.
Aside from academic pursuits, English language proficiency is necessary for individuals who to work or get a permanent residency in a country of choice. Universities abroad prefer to admit students who perform better scoring between 7-8 Bands on the IELTS tests because they will certainly not have difficulty studying as a result of the language barrier.
Getting a poor IELTS score may lead to rejection in admission and scholarship offers and may shatter the hopes of students to get admission into their chosen universities. Therefore, it is important to have a better score in IELTS and stand a higher chance of being admitted to study or being offered a job opportunity.
Things to Know Before Applying for IELTS
There are a few things to be considered by candidates before applying for the IELTS exams. They include:
- Know the Types of IELTS Tests
It is important to know the types of IELTS tests before applying to sit for the exams. This is because knowing the types of tests and their usefulness will assist the candidate in preparing for the test. There are types of modules in the IELTS which test a candidate’s proficiency in English. One of the modules is IELTS academic given to candidates who wish to use it for academic purposes such as applying for admission and scholarships. It is also a requirement for individuals looking to register as a professional such as registration to become a nurse or a doctor. The other module is the IELTS General Training Test which is for people who wish to immigrate for work and other purposes.
- Know the Structure of the Exam
The structure of the test will help the candidate strategize on how to effectively write and pass the examination. IELTS is structured into four segments to include: writing, reading, listening, and speaking: Reading has 40 questions, and writing is made up of two tasks with 60 minutes duration for each module. The listening section is 30 minutes with 40 questions, and the speaking stretches up to 11-14 minutes with three parts. There are two ways an individual can take the exam. One method is in an offline paper mode, and another is an online method. Reading, listening, and writing parts can be given in their respective chosen type. However, the speaking test is common and must be attempted by a face-to-face interview.
- Be averse to the Score Calculation Method
A candidate must be well versed with the score calculation method in other to have a better band score. It is important that before applying for the test, an individual must find a preparation guide that can explain the marks assigned to the sections. The exam includes a marking scheme from 1 to 9 bands for each section. The final result is calculated by the average of these scores gained by the individual. A score of 7-8 band is considered to be relevant for passing the exam.
- Practice and adopt a strategy
In preparing for any examination, it is important to practice and adopt a strategy. Practicing involves looking up past questions if any and asking the right questions. Primarily, an individual can practice by using timers to make a pace for the real exam. Joining a training course that could have these strategies built up can assist in preparing for the examination. Considering a longer time frame before attempting the examination is a good strategy as it gives ample time for preparation.
IELTS Speaking Exam Tips
Practice speaking English before your test.
Be confident and ready to chat.
Listen to the question and answer it directly.
Add more information to all answers.
Don’t focus only on vocabulary.
You can wear anything you want.
Use a range of grammar tenses in your test.