Would be IELTS test-takers often don’t have much time left in their busy schedules to prepare thoroughly for the exam, especially in a bustling metropolis like Singapore. This is usually because IELTS candidates are mostly full-time students or busy working professionals. In this article, you will learn how to efficiently use your precious time to prepare for the IELTS exam.
How Long Do You Need To Prepare For The IELTS Exam?
The amount of time it takes for a student to prepare for the IELTS exam depends on a number of factors which include a person’s current level of English. Your previous background, such as whether you went to a good English medium school or if you have spent a significant amount of time in an English-speaking environment will significantly affect your English language ability. However, knowing your actual level is an important step in your IELTS preparation journey. Other factors that determine how long it will take you to be test ready include:
- Your level of motivation and discipline.
- The amount of time you have to dedicate to your preparation.
In general, it takes about one month of intense preparation to improve by one band score. In truth, the number of hours you spend preparing is not nearly as important as how you use your preparation time.
Create A Study Plan To Prepare For IELTS
The best way to do this is to organise your time effectively by first determining how many hours you have to dedicate to your IELTS test preparation each day. Create a detailed study schedule, with an hourly breakdown of what you plan to cover each day.
Start off by first understanding the test format and content and then move on to getting a grip on your weak areas. Set deadlines to assess your progress using authentic IELTS practice tests and materials.
Immerse yourself in the English Language
Apart from following a strict study schedule, you should also incorporate the English language into your everyday life. Improve your reading and listening skills by reading and listening to as much material as you can in English such as newspapers, magazines and television programs. You can also greatly improve your confidence by regularly describing your daily activities in English. Try talking and writing about the past, present and future to show your range of tenses, as naturally as possible. Test yourself every day to see if you can describe everyday events using different words and tenses. Move on to more difficult IELTS common topics when you feel comfortable.
A great way to save a significant amount of preparation time is to consider enrolling in a good IELTS course. Having an experienced teacher will significantly impact the time it takes for you to prepare. It’s the fastest way to identify the areas of your English language skills that are holding you back from the result you need. It is also crucial to find courses that best suits your needs in terms of scheduling and availability.