Common Mistakes to Avoid When Taking the IELTS Test- IELTS test takers in general end up retaking the test twice and in some cases more than twice and even up to 5 times! This happens because they keep committing the same mistakes time and again. Elaborated below are the common mistakes the test takers keep committing and need to be avoided. IELTS Institute in Gurgaon
First and foremost, the test takers must remember that it is a test of English communication skills and a genuine improvement in English language ability will go a long way in ensuring a high band rather than just trying to master the format or repeatedly taking the mock tests one after another. Remember, you are being benchmarked against a ‘native’ user of English language, do you think he would need many mock tests to score a 9 band. So, your goal is to be as proficient as possible in English as one would expect a native user of English to be. Please get back to basics of a language, English in this case, work on your English comprehension ability, whether it is reading English, listening to English or expressing yourself in English through speaking or writing.
Next is an important fact, people forget that they have certain targets in various modules, while for academic purpose it is generally an overall band requirement of 7-7.5 with no band less than 6-6.5, for Immigration/work permit purpose, the band requirement varies from 8,7,7,7 to 8.5,7.5,7.5.7.5 or sometimes 8 band in each module. One must therefore prepare with the individual targets in mind, we have observed people securing 9 band in Listening and Reading modules and getting a 6 band in Writing module. This is a classic case of imbalanced approach and overemphasis on practicing certain module(s) at the cost of others. As long as one is confident of securing the target band in a particular module, should draw his energy and focus to the other module(s).
Last, it is important to practice IELTS preparation under test conditions, I have observed people endlessly preparing for IELTS as if they are doing PhD in English, one must prepare with certain goals and set about achieving those. Setting strict time guidelines, using a peaceful place without distractions, and creating test like conditions while learning and practising helps achieve better scores.
Attempting an IELTS test without adequate preparation or without acquiring genuine English language skills and taking a chance or thinking that a fluke may work are some of the common mistakes in approach or thinking people must avoid if they need to get their target bands in IELTS test which is rather an easy test of English.
How to Write an Essay for IELTS Academic Writing Test
Writing test is one of the most difficult tests to score an 8 band. The main reason being that in today’s world of auto text correction and auto spell check, people in general have lost the skill to write well in absence of these technological aids. Also, people do not give adequate attention to developing good articulation skills which are essential to do well in the IELTS Academic Writing module.
The essay in the IELTS test poses far more challenges than the other tasks. Essay being a blank template, it is difficult to fathom where to start from. Here I am giving some tips and strategies to do well in this task.
First of all, try and understand very clearly what the essay topic is trying to expect from you. Most people even fail to understand this basic fact and end up writing everything else except what is expected. There is no need to repeat the essay topic in your essay, just understand the expectation and accordingly start writing. Most essays need you to present your viewpoints about an issue, subject, statement etc. The esaay should open with an introduction of what you would be stating in your essay.
Once you have introduced the essay contents, come to the body paragraphs 1 and write the point of view in more detail, explain the same with the help of some examples, illustrations, reasoning, or facts/figures quoted from any reference to some statistics, quotes, books, studies etc. If you do not have any reference to make, please state some examples from your own assessment. Once you have completed the point of view, please do not try and make any more contrasting viewpoint in the same paragraph as it will affect the coherence and flow of the essay. So, start a new paragraph to give a counter viewpoint, again supported with more explanation and exemplification. If you have more viewpoints, you may write one more body paragraph.
After having written 2-3 body paragraphs, one should conclude the essay with the conclusion one can draw from various viewpoints either supporting the stated points, opposing the same or by giving a balanced perspective. In either case, the writer may tilt towards a particular set of arguments with a subtle hint towards his own recommendation on the subject. The essay should not end with a closed and strong viewpoint and should rather encourage more thoughts in the mind of the reader by giving a lucid account of the subject. IELTS Classes
Word count is very important, the essay should not be a chronological or factual or transitional description of things but should be a précis of broader viewpoints. Needless to mention that, the essay must not have any grammatical, spellings and punctuation errors. Write the content you are sure of and which convinces you atleast.
