IELTS is a popular exam for candidates wishing to assess their English language skills. Whether you are a candidate preparing for IELTS for the first time or looking to improve your score, there are many online resources to help you on your way. Candidates can access specific exercises to strengthen their oral and written comprehension, as well as online training courses delivered by experts in academic English. These online training courses offer flexibility to candidates, enabling them to train at their own pace, from anywhere and at any time. When preparing for IELTS, it’s important to develop the skills needed to pass each test. Whether it’s reading, writing, listening or speaking, specific techniques can be used to maximize results. What’s more, if you’re considering taking other English exams such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), it’s useful to know the differences between the two tests and prepare accordingly. It’s also important to understand the different formats and versions of IELTS, including Academic IELTS and General IELTS, so you can choose the appropriate version for your purposes. To register for IELTS, candidates can visit the official test center website and choose the test center most convenient for them. Test centers are spread across different regions, offering candidates greater flexibility in terms of location. Once you have registered, we recommend that you take an IELTS preparation course at a specialized center. These courses offer personalized coaching, expert advice and mock exams to help you familiarize yourself with the specific IELTS format and requirements. In short, IELTS preparation requires a combination of online resources, tailored practice and specialized courses. Whether you choose to prepare online, attend face-to-face classes or combine the two, it’s essential to engage in a structured learning process to achieve the best results. By developing your English skills and familiarizing yourself with the different aspects of IELTS, you’ll be well equipped to pass this exam and achieve your academic and professional goals.
How does the IELTS exam work?
The IELTS exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, and is designed to assess your level of English on the date you take the test. At the end of the test, you will receive a band score, a mark between 0 and 9 based on the average of your 4 tests.
IELTS Reading test
You will have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions. This sub-test is divided into 3 passages for a total of 2,150 – 2,750 words! All texts are academic and presented in a variety of formats such as graphs and diagrams. Write in pencil. You’ll need to be able to skim quickly over a text. This is more effective than reading the whole passage at once. You’ll probably do better if you search for answers by skimming and “scanning” the text for key words in the questions. These passages don’t require any knowledge of obscure subjects, but will try to confuse you by using sophisticated words and indirect style.
IELTS Speaking test
After a few preliminary questions that won’t count towards your score, such as “What’s your name? What should I call you? Where do you live? May I see your identity card please?”, you will then be interviewed by an examiner for 11 to 14 minutes. This test, or “paper” as it’s called in IELTS, is divided into 3 parts for a total of 12 questions.
- In Part 1, you’ll have to answer questions about yourself.
- In Part 2, you will have 1 minute to prepare a 2-minute response to a given question.
- In part 3, the examiner will continue with questions related to part 2. It’s always a good idea to keep talking until the examiner stops you. Looking confident and smiling are not part of the test criteria, but will increase your score.
This part of the IELTS will be assessed using the following questions: Did you speak fluently? Did your speech sound natural? Were you able to express yourself clearly? Organizing and preparing your speech will help you get a better score. 
IELTS Listening test
The test lasts 30 minutes. It is divided into 4 sections: a conversation between 2 people in a social context, a monologue, a conversation between 2 people on an academic subject and then a monologue on an academic subject. You may only listen to each recording once! Take the time to read the question, the choices and the context beforehand, so you know what you’re listening for and can guess the answer! This test will sometimes try to trick you into giving wrong answers before giving the correct one. Spelling counts – and so does the capitalization of letters!
Please answer all questions in CAPITAL LETTERS to avoid potential errors. No contractions will be tested. Question types include MCQs, Matching, Labeling, Form Completion, Sentence Completion and Short Answer.
IELTS Writing Test
The final part of the IELTS is a 60-minute writing test. It consists of 2 parts: Part 1 (“Task 1”, approx. 20 minutes) and Part 2 (“Task 2”, approx. 40 minutes).
In Part 1 (“Task 1”), you’ll have to write at least 150 words to describe the data provided. This part includes a mixture of prose and graphs/maps/diagrams. A good practice is to paraphrase the given question, say what the main conclusion of the data is, then highlight the trends. It is not necessary to write a conclusion.
Task 2 is a writing test in the strict sense of the term. In at least 250 words, you’ll have to respond to the given topic in paragraph form. You must first paraphrase the question, then provide a thesis or answer to the question, then write a few paragraphs in which you defend your thesis, followed by a short concluding paragraph. The questions for Task 2 can be on any topic. You will not be assessed on your opinion, but you will often be asked to take a position (agree/disagree and explain why).
It’s worth remembering that if you don’t achieve the score requested in your conditional offer of admission, you can retake the language test of your choice as many times as you like. However, if you practice seriously and strategically, you’ll pass the test in time to start or continue your university studies abroad (usually by July at the latest). Before you start preparing for IELTS, it’s a good idea to take a full practice test at home, to learn about your strengths and areas for improvement, and to familiarize yourself with the test.
Prepare for the IELTS test
When preparing for the IELTS exam, it’s essential to have access to quality training resources. Many websites offer free online courses to help you strengthen your English skills. Among the most reputable platforms are the British Council and GlobalExam. These sites offer a variety of practice exercises, mock tests and practical advice for each IELTS paper. If you’re a student looking to improve your English, IELTS is the exam to take. It assesses your English skills in writing, speaking, reading and listening. IELTS also includes an academic version, specially designed for people wishing to pursue higher education at English-speaking universities. The online resources provide specific advice on how to pass each IELTS test, whatever the version. When looking for information about IELTS, be sure to consult reliable websites, such as the official website of the British Council or your nearest IELTS test center. These sources will provide you with accurate, up-to-date information on exam session dates, available test centers and registration procedures. To prepare effectively, we recommend that you devote some time to intensive training before the exam date. Plan your schedule accordingly and use online resources to practice regularly. Some platforms offer complete preparation programs lasting several months, enabling you to follow a structured program and make progress in your command of the English language. Happy revision!
How can the Your Dream School team help you prepare for IELTS?
To find out more about how Your Dream School can help you prepare for IELTS, visit our IELTS preparation packs presentation page.
