How to prepare for IELTS (Academic)

If you’re planning to study or work overseas, you may be required to take IELTS to prove your English proficiency level. Read this article to know more about how you can prepare for the IELTS (Academic) test!

To be covered:

1. Test Format of IELTS (Academic)

2. General Tips

3. Tips for Listening & Reading Tests

4. Tips for Writing Test

5. Tips for Speaking Test

6. Useful Resources

(1) Test Format of IELTS (Academic)

There are four sections in the test. The speaking test may be taken before or after the three written tests.

• Listening (30 mins; 40 questions)

• Reading (60 mins; 40 questions)

• Writing (60 mins; 2 tasks)

• Speaking (11-14 mins; 3 parts)

(2) General Tips

1. Book a computer-based IELTS test.

   • It’s more convenient to take the test on a computer.

   • You can copy and paste the answers to gap-filling questions in the reading test and rearrange the sentences and paragraphs easily in the writing test.

   • You’ll receive the results in 3-5 days, while it takes a much longer time (13 days) for a paper-based test.

     
     

2. Review your strengths and weaknesses.

   • Do some practice tests to better understand your current level.

   • Manage your time wisely and spend more time on preparing for the more difficult papers.

   • For example, many students in Hong Kong find the IELTS writing and speaking tests more challenging than the other two papers.

(3) Tips for Listening & Reading Tests

1. Do practice tests and calculate your band scores.

   • You can try to do the IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing papers on computer on the official website of idp IELTS. (https://ielts.idp.com/prepare/article-get-familiar-ielts-on-computer).

   • Check your answers and refer to the band score conversion chart to estimate your current level.

     
     

2. Familiarise yourself with the question types.

   • Challenging question types for many students:

     • Listening: gap-filling, multiple choice questions, matching

     • Reading: True/ False/ Not given, summary cloze, matching

       
       

3. Pay attention to the use of synonyms. What is mentioned in a recording/ passage is usually paraphrased in the questions or answers.

   • Listening

     • E.g. Recording: "You can walk for long periods."

     • Answer: You have a good level of fitness. (from Cambridge IELTS 18 Test 1)

       
       

   • Reading

     • E.g. Passage: “The bear used a tree branch on multiple occasions to dislodge a piece of meat hung out of his reach.”

     • Answer: A bear has been using a branch as a tool. This allowed him to knock down some meat. (from Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 1)

(4) Tips for Writing Test

1. Understand the question types and requirements of each task.

   1. Task 1 (150 words)

      • You are required to extract the key features of a graph (e.g. line graph, bar chart) and highlight some of the details.

      • You need to be familiar with the language for describing data, trends, locations and processes.

        
        

   2. Task 2 (250 words)

      • The common question types include discussion, opinion, advantages and disadvantages, problem and solution and two-part essays.

      • You have to demonstrate your ability to present logical arguments and elaborate on your ideas.

      • You can prepare vocabulary of common topics (e.g. education, technology, government spending).

        
        

2. Do writing practice, read sample essays and get feedback from a teacher (if possible).

   
   

3. Manage your time strategically. Remember that the score of Task 2 is doubled so you should spend 40 mins on it and 20 mins on Task 1.

   
   

4. Refer to the band descriptors and try to fulfill the requirements of each category.

   • IELTS Writing Band Descriptors (https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ielts_writing_band_descriptors.pdf)

(5) Tips for Speaking Test

1. Watch videos of mock speaking tests on YouTube to understand the format and requirements of each part.

   • Record yourself and listen to your own speech. Compare your answers with that of the students in the videos and practice again.

     
     

2. Prepare vocabulary of common topics (e.g. your studies/ job, your hometown, what you like and dislike).

   
   

3. Do speaking practice and get feedback from a teacher (if possible).

   
   

4. Refer to the band descriptors and try to fulfill the requirements of each category.

   • IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors (https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ielts_speaking_band_descriptors.pdf)

(6) Useful Resources

1. Road to IELTS (https://www.clarityenglish.com/program/roadtoielts/index.php)

   • This resource may be free for university students. Check the website of Language Centre/ English Centre of your university.

     
     

2. IELTS Daily (https://www.youtube.com/@IELTSDaily)

   
   

3. English Speaking Success (https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishSpeakingSuccess)

   
   

4. IELTS Advantage (https://www.youtube.com/@Ieltsadvantage)