Preparing for the IELTS exam can seem like an ongoing challenge from the moment you decide you’re going to take the test. The exam, itself consists of numerous parts and sections you must study and prepare for ahead of time.
Some people put in so much time getting ready for their exams they start to feel like they have prepared for so long they are not going to pass. The reason they can start to feel like this is that there is such a thing as over-studying for an exam.
Our brains can only process so much information at one time. If we try to fill it with all these different English writing rules, vocabulary, definitions, and more, we can start to feel confused. We might doubt what the correct English word is to use in a sentence or how the sentence structure should be.
Then there are cases where the person taking the test thought they’d spent a sufficient amount time studying and preparing, only to be overwhelmed by the test itself. For first-time IELTS test-takers, the IELTS exam can make their entrance exams to university pale considerably in comparison.
As such, to avoid over-studying or feeling overwhelmed test day, it can be easy for people to get caught up on what tricks and tips they can use to try and get a higher score. However, the IELTS exam is much more than just a series of tips and tricks to get a high score.
It’s about people learning how to speak, read, and write English. It’s about wanting to improve your English skills and abilities. Therefore, to get the best score on your IELTS exam, you need to start with a solid foundation in English.
No amount of tips and tricks will do any good at building this foundation. Sure they might offer insight about what to expect on the exam or what the examiners are looking for, but unless your foundations in English are solid, you could still come up short of the score you wanted.
Building your foundation in English requires improving your vocabulary, grammar, speaking abilities, and word order. Once you have created a solid foundation in English, then this is when the tips and tricks you come across could help you get a higher score.
Our recommendation is to focus more on building a solid English skills foundation and less on the tips and tricks. Also, we highly encourage you to take advantage of the vast array of test preparation materials and practice exams to help familiarize yourself with what to expect come your IELTS exam day.
If you find you lack the skills in one or more areas after reviewing these materials, then you know what skills you need to improve to strengthen your foundation. To find practice IELTS materials and exams, to help prepare for your upcoming IELTS exam, or to find your nearest IELTS Test Centre and register for your exam, please feel free to explore our website further.
*This article first appeared on IELTS Canada Test.
