IELTS : Things To Be Aware Of Before Applying.
Here are a few things students must know before applying for IELTS by Inter Language And Career Academy.
To pursue higher education in foreign countries, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most preferred among students due to its recognition in 140 nations and 11,000 universities. Proficiency in English is necessary for individuals who want to study, work or get a PR (Permanent Residence) in the country.
The universities prefer those students who are well-versed in -English and score well (7-8 Bands) in the IELTS because they must understand the course curriculum with no language barriers. Getting a poor score may lead to rejection and might as well shatter the hopes of students thriving to get admissions to their chosen universities.
Therefore, a few things might be considered by a student to know before applying for the IELTS exam.
1. TYPES OF IELTS TESTS
There are two types of modules in the IELTS which examine a person’s proficiency in English. One is IELTS academic, which is given by students who wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels. Also, this test is sufficient if an individual is seeking a professional registration to become a doctor or a nurse.
Another module is a general training test, which is feasible for people who wish to study below an undergraduate level or immigrate to the country. The common part of both the modules is listening and speaking, whereas reading and writing are at different levels.
2. KNOW THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAM
IELTS is structured into four separate segments: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Reading has 40 questions, and writing comprises two tasks, while making them 60 minutes for each of the modules.
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 this 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.
3. FOLLOW THE SCORE CALCULATION METHOD
To have a better band score, an individual must have an idea about how the IELTS score is calculated. While applying for the test, each person might 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 segment. 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.
4. GETTING WELL-VERSED WITH VOCABULARY
A crucial part of the IELTS exam is the vocabulary, which can be daunting for students to learn. Each section has a different type of vocabulary, making a 25% weightage in the speaking and reading segments.
The reading process may contain different vocabulary for pronunciation, and speaking requires conversational vocabulary to present the thought process of an individual.
However, many training courses provide a rich source of vocabulary required for clearing the exam. The individual can also refer to the official IELTS vocabulary workbook.
5. MAKE STRATEGY AND PRACTICE
Several methods can be used to make strategies for clearing the exam. Primarily, an individual can practice tests with timers to make a pace for the real exam.
Conversations are necessary for the English language to build a good vocabulary, in addition to cultivating a habit of writing daily. Joining a training course that could have these strategies built up and ready for students must be preferred.
Considering a longer time span before attempting the examination is a good strategy as it gives sufficient time for preparation.
By: Dr. Amrit Das
