Feeling nervous about your IELTS test? Being well prepared is the best way to overcome stress and anxiety and gives you the best chance of getting a good score.
To help you get test-ready, we have some handy tools and advice that will help you prepare for the exam.
Plan your studies
The IELTS Study Planner is a great way to get started. It will help you prepare and practise for your test. We recommend that you follow it during the month prior to the test to make sure you are ready to take IELTS.
The planner will help to make you familiar with the format of the test so that there are no surprises. It’s designed to help you improve your confidence when writing, speaking, reading and listening in English.
The study planner is meant to be used as a guideline only. Feel free to adapt it to best suit your needs.
If your writing ability is weaker than your other English language skills, for example, spend more time focusing on that. Another way to make sure you are ready is to practise a different skill each day.
Use the check boxes to tick whether or not you have completed the activities listed. You may have different needs and priorities based on your general English language experience and the time you have available to study.
To access your planner, log into your Road to IELTS account. The planner will help to make you familiar with the format of the test so that there are no surprises. It’s designed to help you improve your confidence when writing, speaking, reading and listening in English.
The study planner is meant to be used as a guideline only. Feel free to adapt the planner to best suit your needs.
If your writing ability is weaker than your other English language skills, for example, spend more time focusing on that. Another way to make sure you are ready is to practise a different skill each day.
Use the check boxes to tick whether or not you have completed the activities listed. You may have different needs and priorities based on your general English language ability and the time you have available to study.
As you improve your English skills in each of the exam areas, remember to retake the practice tests to see if you find the sections less challenging to complete.
Listen, watch, learn
A fun way to improve your speaking and listening skills is to listen to music and watch movies and TV in English. This will help you train yourself to understand and speak the language as it’s used in the real world.
We all love music, and it’s a great help for memorising words. The combination of rhyme, rhythm, and melody will help your brain to focus on what is being said and to remember the words.
Entertaining movies and TV shows help us predict what will be said by providing visual cues. Things like an actor’s body language and their tone of voice help us understand what’s going on, so watch as many as you can.
Test day tips
To avoid stressing yourself on the day, follow some simple tips from recent test candidates to learn how they handled themselves.
Good advice includes eating something in the morning, arriving on time, asking questions if you are unsure about anything and having all your pens and pencils ready.
Be Diligent
When preparing for the test, remember that hard work pays off. Don't give up and keep thinking of your future once you get the score you want.
For most of you, your IELTS preparation began a long time ago when you first started to learn English, so stop worrying and get practising.