IELTS
you can crack it within 1 month without any coaching
Preparing for the IELTS within one month can be challenging but achievable with the right approach, focus, and dedication. IELTS is all about focus and mind optimisation. I myself got an overall 6.5 band (7.5 in listening, 6 in reading, 6.5 in writing, and 6.5 in speaking). However, with smart work, you can easily get 7–8 bands. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
Familiarization
Understand the Test Format: Familiarize yourself with the test format, types of questions, and timing for each section. Here is my YouTube playlist which will definitely help to know the exam:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXI1aWuNWlTDvTqj897eZJrT0vQe-Lgj-Practice time:
Listening Skills:
Listen to English audio materials such as podcasts, news etc. to improve your listening comprehension. Read the questions carefully before listening to the audio.
- Predict Answers: Before listening to a recording, try to predict what the speaker will talk about based on the topic or context provided. This can help you anticipate key information and stay focused during the listening task.
- Pay Attention to Signal Words: Signal words such as “however,” “although,” “in addition,” etc., can provide clues about the speaker’s opinion, contrast, or sequence of events. Pay attention to these words to better understand the context.
- Practice Different Question Types: Familiarize yourself with the different question types in the IELTS listening test, such as multiple-choice, matching, labelling diagrams, and completing sentences. Practice each type of question to become comfortable with the format.
- If you miss any answer do not waste your time on it, move on to the next question. At last, answer the left question by guessing because there are no negative marks.
- Check Your Answers: After completing a listening task, review your answers carefully. Pay attention to spelling and grammar, as mistakes can cost you points in the exam.
My Listening YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXI1aWuNWlTBnvBHokgPc0djN2h0QtvPEReading Skills:
Read various English texts, including articles, essays, and academic papers, to improve your reading speed and comprehension. Do not practice skimming and scanning techniques as these only waste time especially for non-native speakers.
14 types of Reading questions:
- Stay Calm and Focused: Maintain a calm demeanour during the exam to think clearly and effectively tackle each question.
- Underline Keywords: Underline or highlight keywords in the questions and look for them in the passage to locate answers faster.
- Manage Time: Allocate time for each passage and stick to it to ensure you complete all questions within the given time frame. I made one mistake here, do not waste time.
- Improve Vocabulary: Enhance your vocabulary by reading extensively in English to better comprehend the passages.
- Focus on Paraphrasing: Answers may not be directly stated in the passage, so focus on understanding paraphrased information.
- Be Mindful of True/False/Not Given: Pay close attention to the difference between true, false, and not given statements, as they require different levels of verification in the passage.
- Learn from Mistakes: Review your incorrect answers to understand why you got them wrong and learn from your mistakes. This will help you grow.
- Guess Strategically: If you’re unsure about an answer, make an educated guess rather than leaving it blank, as there’s no penalty for wrong answers. Don’t do it very often though.
My Reading YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXI1aWuNWlTAmFd5mckZcP_I5ojVSoz3VWriting Skills:
- Understand the Task: Make sure you fully understand the task and what is being asked of you. Analyze the question carefully before starting to write.
- Plan Your Response: Take a few minutes to think and outline your ideas before you start writing. This will help you organize your thoughts and structure your essay effectively
- Follow the Essay Structure: Your essay should have a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea and be logically connected to the others.
- Support Your Ideas: Back up your points with examples, evidence, and reasoning. This will show that you can develop your ideas coherently and persuasively.
- Manage Your Time: Allocate time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essay. Make sure you leave enough time at the end to check for errors and make any necessary revisions.
- Be Concise: Write clearly and concisely, straightforwardly expressing your ideas. Avoid unnecessary repetition.
- Review and Revise: Always take the time to review and revise your essay before submitting it. Look for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and areas where you can improve clarity or coherence.
Special tip:
Use GPT-4 to grade your essay. The real band will be slightly higher than what AI predicts.
Here is a template which you can use as a prompt:
Consider yourself as an IELTS examiner.
Topic:
My essay report :
Grade my essay report in bands.
My Writing YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXI1aWuNWlTBd9AW5kitllpij8b7ztAulSome useful websites you may want to check out:
Task 1:
Task 2:
More websites for reference:
https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/03/02/ielts-writing-task-2-agree-disagree-lesson/
https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/03/18/writing-task-2-discussion-essay-lesson/
https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/05/08/ielts-problem-and-solution/
https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/05/24/ielts-advantages-and-disadvantages-lesson/
https://www.ieltsjacky.com/ielts-opinion-essays.html
https://www.ieltsjacky.com/ielts-discussion-essays.html
https://www.ieltsjacky.com/ielts-problem-solution-essays.html
https://www.ieltsjacky.com/ielts-advantages-and-disadvantages-essays.html
https://www.ieltsjacky.com/ielts-double-question-essays.htmlSpeaking Skills:
- Speak Clearly and Fluently: Focus on speaking clearly and fluently. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly. Take pauses to gather your thoughts if needed.
- Answer the Question Fully: Listen carefully to the question and make sure you answer it fully. Provide specific examples or details to support your answers whenever possible.
- Use Complex Sentences: Demonstrate your language proficiency by using a variety of sentence structures, including complex and compound sentences.
- Stay on Topic: Keep your responses relevant to the question asked. Avoid going off on tangents or discussing unrelated topics.
- Be Confident and Natural: Relax and be yourself during the speaking test. Confidence and naturalness in speech can positively impact your score.
- Practice Speaking Tasks: Practice speaking tasks similar to those in the IELTS speaking test. Record yourself speaking and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
I used to practice with my elder brother and elder sister when they came back from their offices. If you stay at a college hostel, then it is easy to talk with your friends. Also, speak in front of the mirror and try to think in English all over the day.
My Speaking YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXI1aWuNWlTAQJe2nhgM_yDloy0ulSKa2Some websites might help you.
Some YouTube channels for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/@Ieltsadvantage
https://www.youtube.com/@FasTrackIELTS
https://www.youtube.com/@E2IELTS
https://www.youtube.com/@AsadYaqubOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/@ieltsliz
https://www.youtube.com/@ieltsboardmembersacademy2535
https://www.youtube.com/@RossIELTSAcademy
https://www.youtube.com/@Aehelp
https://www.youtube.com/@IELTSPEAKING
https://www.youtube.com/@ieltsenglishacademySome websites for taking mock tests (Cambridge only):
https://www.ieltsworldly.com/
https://www.ieltsolve.com/
https://ieltstrainingonline.com/
https://practicepteonline.com/ielts-speaking-latest-makkar-cue-cards/Keep in mind that you can do it with smart work. Stay focused, you will accomplish your goal much faster.
All the best with your IELTS preparation.
