Mastering the IELTS Exam: Comprehensive Guide and Tips for Exceptional Scores

In this post, you’ll learn essential IELTS exam tips, but before we get to that, let’s understand more about the exam itself. IELTS is a globally recognized English proficiency test and serves as a gateway to various international opportunities, assessing candidates in essential skills, including listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

This test is required for those aiming to study, work, or immerse themselves in English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It’s important to note that the IELTS score is valid for only 2 years.

There are two versions of the test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, and you can take it on paper or computer at official test centers.

Before scheduling your test, it’s crucial to know which type and version are most suitable for your goals, as well as to understand the test structure and how to prepare effectively. After all, it’s an expensive and challenging exam, and you wouldn’t want to retake it due to lack of preparation.

Therefore, I’ve prepared this comprehensive post with IELTS exam tips to help you achieve the best score on your first attempt and reach your goals of studying or working abroad.

I took the IELTS to attend college in Canada and achieved the exact score I needed to be accepted at the college I studied at. I’ll share the secrets to performing well!

Check out what you will learn in this post:

IELTS on Paper vs. IELTS on Computer

The IELTS on paper is the most common version of the test. However, in some test centers, you can also take it on a computer.

The format is the same in both versions; the only difference is that when taken on a computer, results are available faster, between 5 and 7 days after the test date. In contrast, on paper, results arrive in 13 days.

The speaking section, in both versions, is conducted separately at another time, involving a live conversation with an examiner.

The paper-based test is traditional, held in a regular classroom, with administrators handing out the test, giving instructions, and observing the candidates. All candidates receive the paper with listening, reading, and writing questions and the answer sheet. The listening audio is played at a high volume for everyone in the room.

The computer-based test is conducted in a room with multiple computers, where examiners observe candidates taking the test and provide instructions to start. Listening is done with headphones, which is better for focus and concentration. We also receive a paper for rough work. The drawbacks of the computer are that you can’t underline texts, and you can’t go back after answering a question.

Despite this, I preferred taking the IELTS on a computer because I am comfortable typing, and I was already accustomed to working on a computer. Additionally, the computer displays a timer showing the remaining time, aiding in time management.

IELTS at Home

IELTS now has an interesting new option called IELTS Online, allowing you to take the test at home!

This option is only available for those taking the IELTS Academic. All you need is a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a well-lit private space.

The test format is the same, and the speaking section, conducted via video call with an examiner, must be completed at least one day before the written test.

Refrain from being deceived into thinking it will be less supervised than at test centers, as the microphone and camera must be on throughout the at-home test for supervision.

IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General Training

The difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training is that each is suitable for a different purpose. IELTS Academic focuses on skills needed in academic life, typically required by English-language colleges and universities. On the other hand, IELTS General Training is more comprehensive, assessing skills necessary for everyday social and work interactions.

What is your goal? This will determine which version you choose, but be mindful of the requirements of your institution or organization.

As I took the test to study at a higher education institution in Canada, the required version was IELTS Academic. For immigration and work, Canada requires IELTS General Training.

The question topics vary between the two versions:

• IELTS Academic, focused on the academic environment, covers academic conversations and texts requiring discursive and analytical skills, such as interpreting literary texts, graphs, and essay writing.
• IELTS General Training addresses casual topics in social and corporate environments, such as interpreting journalistic texts, writing letters, and composing texts on general knowledge topics.

Understand the Structure of IELTS

Whether on paper, on a computer, at home, in the Academic or General Training version, the structure of the IELTS exam is the same and includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking (conducted in a face-to-face conversation with an examiner).

Each section has a time limit coordinated by the computer or the test administrator. Here are the details of each section:

• Listening: 40 questions on audio interpretation in 4 parts. In parts 1 and 2, you listen to a conversation between two people and then a monologue on everyday topics. Parts 3 and 4 involve educational or work-related situations. It lasts 30 minutes, with an extra 10 minutes to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
• Reading: 40 text interpretation questions in 3 parts, each part featuring texts on different subjects. The total duration is 60 minutes, with no extra time to fill in the answer sheet.
• Writing: Also lasting 60 minutes and consisting of 2 tasks. The first task requires writing a text of at least 150 words in 20 minutes, and the second task requires writing a text of at least 250 words in 40 minutes.
• Speaking: The conversation with the examiner is in 3 parts and lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. In part 1, you’ll have to talk about yourself and family-related topics. In part 2, you’ll receive a card with a question about a specific topic, and in part 3, more questions will be asked on the same topic.

IELTS Scoring vs. Other English Proficiency Tests

The IELTS exam assesses your skills in 4 bands, as mentioned earlier. In each, a set of criteria is evaluated, and you can receive a score between 0 and 9 in each.

The final score for each band is rounded to multiples of 5. For example, if you receive 6.3 in speaking, your final speaking score will be 6.5.

You will also receive an overall score, which is the average of all the band scores. Generally, this overall score is considered for admission to foreign colleges.

How IELTS Scores Compare to Other Proficiency Tests

The IELTS exam has international equivalence compared to other tests and systems like the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which measures English language proficiency levels.

Here is an infographic that shows the equivalence of IELTS, TOEFL, CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) scores, and CEFR levels.

8 Indispensable IELTS Exam Tips for Exceptional Scores

1- Prepare Yourself

My first tip couldn’t be different: PREPARATION! The IELTS exam is expensive, lengthy, and tiring. It’s smart to ensure that you have prepared well before taking the test.

Reading this post already counts as a step in preparation since you now understand the test structure and will check out the tips to excel in the exam. Only schedule the test when you are confident in your preparation level and ability to achieve your desired score.

While preparatory courses can be helpful, they are not necessary if you don’t have the time or means to afford them, considering their high cost. There are various ways to study and prepare without spending money, as you will see below.

2- Take Free Practice Tests

Taking the free IELTS practice tests is crucial! Only through this can you truly understand what to expect from the IELTS exam.

The only downside is that the free practice tests are not scored, so you won’t know your areas for improvement. You can ask someone to evaluate your practice test, but it is intended to familiarize yourself with the test structure.

>> Free IELTS computer Listening, Reading e Writing practice test

>> Free paper-based IELTS Listening practice test

>> Free paper-based IELTS Reading practice test 

>> Free paper-based IELTS  Writing practice test

>> Free IELTS speaking practice test

3- Invest in the IELTS Progress Check

If you believe that free practice tests are not sufficient for your preparation, I have good news: you can also get a paid version of the practice tests that includes test assessment by IELTS-trained and qualified evaluators. Amazing, right?

The IELTS Progress Check is online and covers both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. After the test, participants receive an indicative overall score and scores for each exam section. This way, you can understand your strengths and areas that need improvement to achieve a higher score.

>> Learn more and purchase the IELTS Progress Check

4- Manage Your Time in Reading and Writing

Ever heard the saying “time is money”? Well, time is also precious when taking your IELTS exam.

It’s common to lose track of time during exams, but this should not be the behavior of a prepared candidate. Time management is as important as preparing your English skills.

As seen in the test structure, the time allocated for reading and writing is limited considering the number of questions. However, with good time management, it’s possible to complete the test with ease.

In the reading part, read the questions before the text to understand the topic and what will be asked. Don’t get stuck on a question if you have doubts. Trust your intuition, mark an answer quickly, and if you have time at the end of the test, go back to the question and analyze it again.

If you spend too much time on a question, it’s certain that by the end, you won’t have enough time and will have to guess or, worse, not mark an answer, risking losing points.

Additionally, transfer the answers you are sure about to the answer sheet as soon as you answer them! This ensures that if your time gets tight at the end, you already have most of the answer sheet filled, which is much better than rushing to fill it in and potentially marking it wrong.

Do you understand now the importance of managing your time? Then, practice timing yourself and become an expert at completing the exam confidently within the time limit!

5- Pay Close Attention in the Listening part

Come what may, DO NOT LOSE FOCUS DURING LISTENING! The audio will be played only once and will not be repeated. If you didn’t hear it for any reason, tough luck (except in cases of technical errors – which are rare).

The best way I recommend to stay focused is, if possible, to read the questions first to know what will be asked, and when the audio is playing, underline or jot down keywords. This ensures that your focus is 100% on that task.

6- Learn How to Make Your Writing More Fluent and Coherent

It’s crucial to pay attention to the writing instructions to compose a text worthy of a high score. You need to demonstrate that you understand what is being asked and get straight to the point without unnecessary embellishments. Remember this tip: most of the time, opt for simplicity!

While you should write only about the topic requested in the prompt, you need to demonstrate good grammar, rich vocabulary, and fluency. But how?

• Synonyms are great for showing a rich vocabulary.
• Using correct and formal sentence structures indicates good grammar.
• Connectors are essential for producing a fluent text. Example: “However,” “In addition,” “To conclude.” They are necessary for starting a new paragraph, and connecting sentences and ideas by addition, opposition, and conclusion, among others.

Like for many life skills, practice leads to perfection in writing. So, the more texts you write and can have corrected, the better your score in the IELTS writing. Reading more is also a practice that helps in writing!

7- Have Your Speaking Responses in Mind and Stay Calm

For the speaking section, it’s not enough to know how to speak English; you need to know how to argue about a topic to get an advanced score.

If that’s your goal, practice possible topics that will be asked in the speaking section. This way, you won’t be in danger of being surprised, stuttering, or not knowing what to answer. 

After responding to the easier part, part 1, about yourself and your family, you will need to argue about a specific topic. The best way to familiarize yourself with possible topics is definitely by doing practice tests, as you saw in the previous tips.

But in advance, here are some possible topics for you to prepare and have an answer at the tip of your tongue:

• Travel: think of a trip and practice responding about where you went, with whom, and some experience you had.
• Books and movies: think of a book or movie you recently consumed and practice talking about the genre and summarizing the story.
• Music: practice talking about a musical genre you like, commenting on any shows you’ve attended, and recommending artists.
• Technology: think of a technology topic, like artificial intelligence, for example, and practice arguing whether you are against or in favor and talking about some points that support your opinion.

In short, there can be various topics. But if you know how to handle them, everything will be fine. Remember to stay calm during the speaking test! Focus on your breath, speak slowly, and answer objectively. Don’t try to answer quickly; you need to make yourself understood and articulate your words well.

Some tricks are: say some filler sentences while you think about the topic. Example: “That’s an interesting question, let me think.” If you don’t know how to respond to a topic, talk about something similar. Example: if asked about a book and you can’t remember, respond about a movie or a series – “I can’t really remember the last book I’ve read, but I can tell you about this amazing show I’ve been watching called…“

8- Include English in Your Daily Life

Finally, study a lot, of course, but also turn the study into part of your daily life so that it is not an obligation but a habit!I wrote a post on how to learn a language quickly. In it, you’ll find several tips for incorporating English learning into your daily life to become proficient quickly!