5 Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for Your IELTS Exam

5 Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for Your IELTS Exam
By regionaleducationalinstitute | August 31, 2021

Obtaining an English language certificate is one of the first steps you have to take when you want to migrate, work, or study in an English-speaking country.

Many English-speaking nations require proof that foreigners interested in working, setting a business, living, or studying in their country are proficient in English.

An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate (or its equivalent) with the required scores is a good indicator that you can speak, write, and read well in English, which will help you have an easier time integrating into a new country and adapting to a different lifestyle and culture.

Most universities in English-speaking countries also require international students to submit an IELTS certificate. It is a requirement for the application process for an undergraduate or postgraduate course taught in this language and the student visa as well.

Your IELTS certificate also serves as proof that you will do well in your studies and complete them with flying colors.

Preparing Well for Your IELTS Exam

Since your English language proficiency plays a critical role in your plans for working, migrating, or studying abroad, you need to aim for the highest scores possible.

This means studying and preparing well for your IELTS test.

Aside from reviewing well for the exam, our qualified IELTS coaching team says you need to avoid crucial mistakes during the preparation stage to get the scores you are aiming for.

The five common mistakes you have to avoid while preparing for your IELTS test are:

1. Not planning ahead.

In most countries, the IELTS test is conducted at least twice a month. But regardless of how quickly you need a certificate, avoid taking a scheduled exam without time enough to prepare for it.

This means choosing an exam date that gives you at least four to six weeks of prep time.

Make sure you have enough time to prepare for the test. A month or more of preparation allows you to study and review well for the exam, increasing your chances of getting high scores.

Additionally, when you are well-prepared for the exam, you can manage your anxiety and be more confident, allowing you to perform better on your test day.

Keep in mind that if you are currently working, you won’t be able to study all day every day. As such, make a plan and schedule a test date that gives you plenty of time to prepare.

2. Not considering an IELTS review or preparation course.

Although engaging in self-study is a great way to prepare for the IELTS, disregarding the option to take up a review or preparation course is something you shouldn’t do.

Enrolling at a training center that provides IELTS review courses allows you to be fully prepared for the test.

In the course, you will get an overview of the flow of the exam and, more importantly, learn tips and techniques for answering the reading, listening, and writing parts of the test.

Also, you will get coaching and tips for the speaking test, which many consider the most difficult part of the exam.

The combination of self-preparation and structured review courses can increase your chances of getting the test score you need.

3. Ignoring the importance of taking practice tests.

Taking mock IELTS exams is a crucial part of the whole preparation stage.

When you take practice tests, you can familiarize yourself with the flow of the exam. You will also be able to get used to the pace of the test, which will help you stay calm and keep a clear mind throughout the process.

By reviewing the content, you will also learn your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to know which areas you need to work more on.

When you improve your weaknesses and optimize your strengths, you can create a solid foundation for the examination.

4. Not working on your vocabulary.

A common mistake many examinees make is focusing only on preparing for the exam itself that they forget to improve their vocabulary.

A broad vocabulary is the key to success in any language proficiency examination. Because of this, don’t forget to read books, newspapers, and magazines and listen to conversations in English.

When you come across a word you don’t recognize or understand, look it up online or in a dictionary.

Also, take note of these words’ synonyms and practice using them in your writing and daily conversations and in your mock tests, if possible.

If you are taking a spoken English class in Abu Dhabi, try to use the new words you learn as well.

5. Not learning time management techniques to use during the test.

The IELTS exam is time-regulated; you will be given a certain number of minutes to complete each part of the test.

Many examinees fail to manage their time during the exam and, hence, are unable to answer all the questions within the given timeframe.

If you enroll in an IELTS review course, you will get tips and strategies on managing your time when taking the exam. Moreover, you will be able to apply those during the practice tests.

Make sure you remember these tips and techniques and apply them during the exam so that you can work more efficiently.

The key to getting the IELTS scores you need is adequate preparation. Avoid these mistakes and put in plenty of time studying and reviewing for the test and you can be sure all your hard work will pay off.

If you need help preparing for your IELTS exam, speak with our staff to get more details about our coaching course.

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