IELTS Listening Tips and Tricks | How I got a band 9

Summary

In this video, Asiya shares her top tips for acing the IELTS Listening section, having achieved a perfect band 9. She covers the test format, time management, and strategies for both paper-based and computer-based exams. Asiya emphasizes the importance of pre-reading questions, focusing on key words, and effective use of the answer transfer time. She also provides insights on dealing with different types of tasks, including gap fills, multiple-choice, and map questions, ensuring viewers are well-prepared for the challenges of the IELTS Listening test.

Takeaways

• 😀 Asiya shares her experience of achieving a band 9 in IELTS Listening and plans to create videos for each section of the exam.
• 🕒 The IELTS Listening test lasts for 30 minutes with 40 questions, increasing in difficulty, and requires 30 correct answers for a band 7 or 35 for an 8.
• ⏱ Time management is crucial in the Listening test, with different strategies for paper-based and computer-based exams due to the time provided for answer transfer.
• 🎧 A significant advantage of computer-based tests is the use of earphones, ensuring clearer audio compared to loudspeakers in paper-based tests.
• 🔍 Asiya emphasizes the importance of pre-reading questions to improve the chances of finding answers during the test.
• 👀 It's recommended to keep an eye on two questions at a time to manage concentration and time effectively.
• ✍️ Spelling is important for scoring, and British or American spellings are both acceptable, but the word must be spelled correctly.
• 📝 For gap-fill tasks, predicting the type of word needed can help in recognizing the correct answer when it is spoken.
• 📞 Understanding the pronunciation of numbers and letters, especially in telephone numbers and addresses, is vital for accurate note-taking.
• 🗺️ For map tasks, knowing directions and finding the starting point before the recording begins is key to following the locations mentioned.
• ✅ In multiple-choice questions, identifying keywords in options before the recording helps in quickly locating the correct answers during the test.
• 🤔 Making an educated guess for unknown answers is encouraged as there is no penalty for incorrect answers in the IELTS exam.

Q & A

What is the duration of the IELTS Listening test?

The IELTS Listening test lasts for 30 minutes.

How many questions are there in the IELTS Listening test?

There are 40 questions in the IELTS Listening test.

What is the minimum number of correct answers required to achieve a band 7 in the Listening test?

To achieve a band 7, one needs to answer at least 30 questions correctly.

What is the main difficulty Asiya mentions about the IELTS Listening test?

Asiya mentions that the main difficulty of the IELTS Listening test is the lack of time.

What is the advantage of taking the computer-based IELTS Listening test according to Asiya?

The advantage of the computer-based test is that you always get earphones, which allows for clearer audio.

How much time is given to transfer answers in a paper-based IELTS Listening test?

In a paper-based IELTS Listening test, you are given an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers.

What should you do during the few seconds before the IELTS Listening test starts?

You should use that time to read all the questions in the section and then come back to focus on the first and second questions.

Why is it recommended to read questions before listening to the recording in the IELTS Listening test?

Reading questions beforehand helps you to be prepared and know what to expect, increasing the chances of finding the answers while listening.

What should you do when you hear that an option is incorrect during the Listening test?

If you hear that an option is incorrect, you should cross it out immediately to help narrow down the correct answer.

How does Asiya suggest dealing with multiple-choice questions in the IELTS Listening test?

Asiya suggests reading everything before the recording starts, identifying key words in each option, and being prepared to cross out incorrect options during the paper-based test.

What is the significance of paying attention to directions when answering map-related questions in the Listening test?

Paying attention to directions helps you understand where to go based on the instructions given in the recording, as you need to identify the starting point and follow the directions to locate objects.

How should you approach the two minutes of checking time in a computer-based IELTS Listening test?

You should use the two minutes to check that all words are spelled correctly and read whole sentences to ensure they are grammatically correct.

What is Asiya's advice on leaving questions unanswered in the IELTS Listening test?

Asiya advises not to leave any questions unanswered; if you don't know the answer, make a guess as there is no penalty for incorrect answers.