Oct102024

Introduction

You may have the need to take the IELTS test due to study abroad, visa, immigration or other personal reasons, but you are often confused and confused about how to start preparing for the test. The following 5 simple steps will help you prepare for the IELTS test in the best possible way. Completely prepared! We will help you succeed in your IELTS exam~!

Step 1: Choose the right IELTS test type

Depending on your personal plans, you may have plans to immigrate, study abroad, or even work in different jobs. Governments and schools in different countries have restrictions and requirements for different types of IELTS tests ! You must choose the IELTS type that meets the requirements to take the test. The different IELTS test types are as follows:

  • IELTS Academic: Suitable for candidates who want to apply for overseas higher education degrees, including universities/research institutes/technical vocational schools, etc.
  • IELTS General Training: Suitable for candidates who apply for overseas study/high schools, work in English-speaking countries, immigrate to other countries, etc.
  • IELTS Life Skills Test: Applicable to those who apply for a settled family visa, extended family, spouse or partner visa, indefinite stay or citizenship, and those who are studying for a bachelor’s, master’s or above degree or making professional applications in the UK

If you have any questions about which IELTS test you should choose, contact us and our specialists will provide more detailed guidance based on your situation to help you choose the correct IELTS test type and avoid unnecessary mistakes!

Step 2: Understand the IELTS test structure

After choosing your IELTS test type, you need to start to understand your test mode, time and question types. Once you understand, you can take IELTS practice tests to prepare for the exam. The IELTS test consists of four parts: speaking, reading, listening and writing . Each section of the IELTS test has different questions . The approximate composition of the IELTS test is as follows (different IELTS test types may have different reminders, please be sure to check carefully.

 

Listening
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  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Content: Four major themes, a total of 40 questions. The first and second questions focus on daily life language, while the third and fourth questions are more academic.
  • Question types: There are different question types such as true and false, matching, choice, fill-in, label, short answer, etc.
    ※ If you choose paper and pencil test, you will be given an extra 10 minutes to fill in the answer sheet

Reading
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  • Duration: Academic group and general group, both are 60 minutes
  • Content: The academic group has 3 articles, about 1,000 words each; the general immigration group has about 5 articles, including short articles such as announcements, advertisements, etc.
  • Question types: The question types of the academic group include selection, matching, filling, etc., testing the ability to quickly grasp key points. The general group of questions also includes matching, choice, filling, as well as true and false, short answer, label questions and other question types.

Writing
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  • Time: 60 minutes to complete two essays
  • Content: The first major topic of the academic group is “Chart Exercise”, which is mainly about comparing or describing various charts. A 150-word paragraph needs to be completed within 20 minutes. The second major topic is “Application Topic”, which is broad and in-depth. Candidates are required to express personal opinions, analyze or compare advantages and disadvantages according to the topic. The first major question in the general group is usually “Writing letters” such as: letters of complaint, invitations, apology emails, etc., with a length of at least 150 words. The second major question is also a thesis question.

Speaking
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  • Time: ranging from 11-14 minutes
  • Content: The oral examiner will conduct a one-on-one oral examination with the candidates. The content is divided into “self-introduction”, “conversation on general topics”, “explanation of personal opinions according to prompts”, “in-depth explanation”, etc. The scope of the questions is wide and may involve Different fields such as culture and art.

Step 3: Understand the scoring mechanism

IELTS test results will be announced on a scale of 0 to 9. Each rating score reflects a relative degree of English proficiency. The total score is the average of the scores of the four tests (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), and will be presented to the nearest 0.5 score or whole score . The proportion of the scores of the four items is averaged !

  1. Listening: There are 40 questions in total. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. Points are awarded based on the number of correct answers and compared with the IELTS Band 9 comparison table . Scores include whole points and 0.5 points.
  2. Reading: There are 40 questions in total. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. Points are awarded based on the number of correct answers compared to the IELTS Band 9 comparison table . Scores include whole-level points and 0.5-level points.
  3. writing:
    • Are the words, sentences, and semantics logically coherent?
    • Vocabulary transformation/change ability
    • Whether the grammar is accurate and whether the sentence structure is diverse and correct
  4. Say:
    • Oral coherence and fluency
    • Vocabulary diversity and ability to change
    • Grammatical accuracy and sentence pattern diversity
    • Is the pronunciation correct?

Step 4: Make a review plan and set goals

Reviewing for the IELTS test is very important and is crucial to the test results! So you need to develop a habit of using English to prepare yourself for the exam. In addition to setting daily review goals to help you prepare for the IELTS test more effectively, the editor has also compiled some preparation tips from other seniors:

Take advantage of online resources and apps:

In today’s digital age, there are many free and paid online resources and mobile apps that can help you prepare for the IELTS exam. For example, you can use an online mock test platform to simulate a real test environment, or download the official IELTS learning app to practice and study.

Take an IELTS preparation course:

If you want more systematic learning and guidance, consider taking an IELTS preparation course. Many language schools, educational institutions and online platforms offer IELTS preparation courses , which will help you improve your English proficiency and test-taking skills more efficiently!

Practice speaking and writing together:

Speaking and writing are the more personal and technical parts of the IELTS test. Find a study partner or join an IELTS study group, practice speaking and writing together, and exchange opinions and suggestions with each other to more effectively improve your abilities in these two areas.

Maintain a good attitude and health:

The state of mind and health before the exam are very important for exam performance. Staying positive, believing in your abilities, and getting enough sleep and proper rest will help you stay calm and focused during the exam!

Step 5: Know what to note on exam day

It is recommended that before taking the exam, you should pay attention to the precautions on the exam day in detail to avoid affecting your performance and results:

  • Beverages other than boiled water are not allowed. Water bottles must be transparent and colorless.
  • Unless it is for religious reasons, you are not allowed to bring a hat into the exam.
  • After entering the examination room, it is prohibited to talk to candidates. If you need the services of an invigilator, please raise your hand and do not make any noise.
  • During the reading test, you are not allowed to turn the answer sheet to the listening part to modify the answers. The invigilator will stop and expel you from the examination room.
  • After the exam, you should leave the exam room as soon as possible and do not discuss the content of the exam with other candidates in the exam room.
  • You are not allowed to hand in your papers early and leave the examination room
  • Bring your passport to verify the authenticity of your identity

Recommended IELTS courses in Brisbane, Australia

Are you already on a working holiday in Brisbane or currently studying and about to graduate, are you worried that you won’t be able to get your target IELTS score and can’t concentrate on your self-study? QAT (Queensland Institute of Technology) IELTS preparation class will be your savior~! The school teaches listening, speaking, reading and writing independently, and many teachers are IELTS examiners, which can help you quickly improve from IELTS 4.0 to 7.0. It is the most famous IELTS crash course in Brisbane!

School characteristics

  • Regular free mock tests to accurately understand students’ learning status
  • Targeted teaching based on each student’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Teaching materials are updated every week by teachers with IELTS examiner background
  • Direct pathways to a wide range of educational institutions, with the opportunity to study in English directly to a bachelor’s degree

Course start time & fees

  • Class start time: every week
  • Total course length: minimum 4 weeks , customized arrangements can be made
  • Course time: 20 hours of physical teaching per week
    • Day shift, 9am – 3pm
    • Evening shift, 4pm – 9:15pm
  • Fee: day shift, 290AUD/week; evening shift, 280AUD/week

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I get a job after completing my studies in Australia?

Yes. Gaining post-study work experience can enhance your career prospects. Benefits include practical experience, improved resume credibility, and expanded professional networks.

Which courses in Australia are best for PR?

Popular courses for PR include those in Engineering, Accounting, Nursing, and IT. Other options include Social Work and Early Childhood Education

What is the easiest way to get PR in Australia?

The easiest routes to PR are through the following visa streams:

  • Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
  • Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
  • Regional Skilled Work Visa (Subclass 491)
  • Employer-Sponsored Visas

Which jobs are in highest demand in Australia?

Currently, there is strong demand for Registered Nurses, Software Engineers, Construction Managers, and Motor Mechanics, according to Australia’s Department of Employment.