Structure of IELTS Exam

It is very crucial for the students to clearly know about the structure of IELTS (General/Academic). The test demands a high level of concentration and attentiveness, while attempting it. As mentioned in the earlier post, the IELTS exam consists of 4 modules. The same are explained in the subsequent paragraphs:

1. Speaking Test: It is one of the most feared test by the non-English speaking population, as it does not have enough practice due to scant use of English Language in day to day speaking. The prominent weaknesses in the candidates while taking this test are found to be lack of grammar skills, hesitation in speaking or lack of articulation or lack of fluency, because of no habit of speaking in English and finally a highly non-standard and primitive or ordinary vocabulary. The test is taken on a separate day on which only speaking test is conducted. The test comprises of three section: Section1 is Introductory Round (about 10 minutes), Section 2 is Cue Card (a topic is given) for which one minute is provided for preparation and one minute for uninterrupted speaking and Section 3 is Discussion Round (General Questions surrounding the topic of Cue card, mostly) for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Listening Test: It is a very high scoring test. However, it requires immense concentration and habit of listening to UK or American English Accent. The common mistakes that a candidate makes in this test are of incomplete answers, improper dates, missing s in plurals or ‘ed’ in past tense. The test contains 40 questions of various types: Blanks, MCQs, Direction or map based, category choice. There is no repetition of audio. The answers need to be given as the audio runs. keep noting the answers on the rough sheet as the candidate is given 10 minutes to put the answers on the score sheet. Also, read the instructions for each question, very carefully. if it is one word answer, use only one word and so on. Once again, the concentration and familiarity with the accent is the key.
3. Reading Test: A lot of aspirants feel it to be tough to crack, especially the students of non-science back ground as the passages are mostly from science streams or related areas. The understanding of the vocabulary and connectors, contradictions, dates and names, key events and sentences are some of the critical features for getting great score in this. Also, three passages (for Academics) are long ones and need good time management. Each passage should be give not more than 18 minutes ( total time is 60 minutes, including recording of answers on the score sheet). For General candidates numerous small passages may be there (5-6 with one long passage). The key for Gen. IELTS reading is to identify the right information. There are 40 questions in total. Work hard on the science and related vocab, especially IELTS academic. Read any science book.
4. Writing Test: It is divided into 2 tasks. Task 1 is different for Academics ( a description of data/picture/map/graph/ process diagram etc) and General ( Letter writing , formal or informal). The task requires a minimum of 150 words and may go up to 165. Task I should be completed in 18-20 minutes as a total time of 60 minutes is given for both tasks. Writing task 2 is common for both. it is an essay on any topic ( cause and effect/ pros and cons/ general discussion/ opinion) and a minimum of 250 words are to be written. The writing task must take care of grammar, high-end vocabulary, non-repetition of words and ideas, non repetition of sentences, must not use common words, sentences must use active as well as passive structures, complex sentences with idioms will add to score. The key is out of the box ideas for bands more than 6.5. A consistent writing practice and care of rules of grammars are the key. The score of task 2 is almost double than task1. Must complete the task in 35 minutes, in order to get time for revision. One must take care of spellings and any ambiguity.

The above is a brief description for the novices. The subsequent posts will be focused on building vocabulary and other tips.

Best wishes

Dr. B. P.Gupta (7087937009)

IELTS -AN INTRODUCTION

IELTS is a test of English language. It is used by many English speaking countries for the non-natives for the immigration and visa purposes. It is also a benchmark used by numerous universities and colleges in these countries for admission to undergraduate and post-graduate courses.

Thousands of young aspirants take this coveted test to fulfill their long-desired ambition of moving to a developed nation viz. Canada, Australia, USA etc. A lot of hard work goes into the preparation and the coaching and testing business runs into unimaginable numbers. However, only a small proportion of the candidates are able to make the band cut required by various countries.

The most important skill is the English language proficiency in not only one skill but in all the four skills: Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening, separately. Only those candidates who prepare well stand a chance of penetrating this test. A large number of students who are weak in English language keeps on lingering and hopping from coaching institute to institute with a wishful thinking of making it, one-day. They keep on churning thousands of bucks out of the hard-earned money of their guardians in order to accomplish this dream of a fantasy foreign land and a fantasy qualification.

There is no harm in having the dream. However, the preparation has to be well planned and mental strength and grit to go though a long drill of learning the tricks of the test. The students have to follow a multiprong strategy to gain, not only the minimum bands, but get higher scores to get into a well acclaimed university or institution.

1. Move with a confidence and determination to learn a non-native global language.
2. Improve the rules of the grammar and sentence structure.
3. Build a higher and advanced vocabulary.
4. Start speaking in English regularly, not only in coaching classes but also at home, with friends or family members.
5. Start listening to English Songs and watch Hollywood movies.
6. Start doing self study as much as possible.
7. Keep in mind that it is the candidate who has to take test and hence it is the candidate only who has to do hard work.

The above are some of the important points. More details will be shortly updated. Keep reading for technical details.

The blog will include: Daily Vocabulary, Writing tasks, Speaking tips and more important updates about the IELTS.

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Best wishes

Dr. B.P.Gupta