How to prepare for IELTS at home quickly | Band 7 in 7 days

Summary

In this video, Asiya offers strategies for effectively preparing for the IELTS exam at home. She emphasizes the importance of taking official practice tests, understanding the assessment criteria, and mastering each section of the exam. Asiya also discusses the significance of time management and provides tips for improving writing and speaking skills, including the use of IELTS band descriptors and the necessity of practicing under timed conditions. She concludes by recommending her IELTS study plan and courses to structure and expedite the preparation process.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Preparing for IELTS at home is currently the only option, and the speaker will discuss how to do it efficiently.
• 📝 Taking an official IELTS practice test is crucial for understanding the exam structure and is the quickest way to get familiar with the format.
• 🔗 The speaker provides a PDF IELTS study plan with resources, which will be linked for easy access.
• ✅ Official practice tests are recommended over unofficial ones found online to avoid confusion and ensure accuracy.
• 📚 For additional practice, the speaker suggests purchasing the latest 'Cambridge IELTS' book, which contains authentic tests.
• 📊 IELTS Listening and Reading are scored by a computer, with a point system based on the number of correct answers.
• 📝 The lowest scores in IELTS are typically in Writing and Speaking, which are assessed by human examiners using specific criteria and band descriptors.
• 🎯 Developing a strategy for each section of the exam is essential for maximizing your score, given the time constraints.
• 🕒 Time management is critical in IELTS, especially with the pressure to complete tasks within a limited timeframe.
• 📖 Understanding different types of tasks in Listening and Reading can save time and improve accuracy.
• 📝 Vocabulary size significantly impacts IELTS scores, with knowing around 4,000 words likely resulting in a score between 5.5 and 7.
• ✍️ Writing skills are as important as English skills in IELTS Writing, where structured and coherent responses are expected.
• 🗣️ In IELTS Speaking, knowing the requirements and practicing answers can help meet the examiners' expectations more effectively.
• 📈 Consistent daily practice is more beneficial than sporadic, intense study sessions for effective preparation.

Q & A

What is the recommended method to prepare for the IELTS exam at home according to the video?

The video suggests taking an official practice test as the quickest way to understand the IELTS exam structure and to assess one's current English level.

Why should one take official IELTS practice tests rather than others found online?

Official tests are exactly like real exams, ensuring accuracy and preventing confusion that may arise from incorrect tests found on the internet or YouTube.

How many official practice tests are available for free, and where can they be found?

Two official practice tests are available for free and can be found in the study guide linked in the video description.

What is the latest book recommended for additional IELTS practice, and when will its successor be published?

The latest book recommended is 'Cambridge IELTS Academic Number 14', and its successor, Number 15, is set to be published in June 2020.

How are the IELTS listening and reading sections scored, and what is the scoring reference?

IELTS listening and reading are scored by a computer, with one point for each correct answer. The score is determined by the number of correct answers according to a specific scoring table.

Which sections of the IELTS exam are typically the most challenging for test-takers, according to statistics?

Statistics show that the lowest scores in IELTS are in writing, followed by speaking, indicating these are the most challenging sections.

What are the four criteria assessed in IELTS writing and speaking, and what documents outline the requirements for each criterion and band score?

IELTS writing and speaking are assessed on four criteria each, and the requirements for each criterion and band score are outlined in the IELTS band descriptors.

What is the significance of mastering the strategy for each part of the IELTS exam?

Mastering the strategy for each part helps to maximize the score potential based on one's current English level and ensures the best possible performance on the exam.

How does understanding the types of tasks in IELTS listening and reading help save time during the exam?

Knowing the types of tasks and their order helps in efficiently navigating the exam, allowing for quicker responses and better time management.

What is the approximate vocabulary size needed to achieve a band score of 5.5 to 7 in IELTS, and what about for a score of 7 or higher?

Knowing about 4,000 English words may result in a band score of 5.5 to 7, while knowing about 8,000 words could lead to a score of around 7 or higher.

How does the video suggest one should practice for IELTS writing and speaking sections, and what are the key components to focus on?

The video suggests practicing writing essays for IELTS writing and timing responses for IELTS speaking, focusing on fully answering the questions, providing well-structured coherent answers, and meeting the specific requirements outlined by the examiners.

What resources does the video offer to help with IELTS preparation, and how can one access them?

The video offers a PDF IELTS study plan and links to resources mentioned, which can be accessed by downloading the study plan from the provided links in the video description.