English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. To work, live, or study in an English-speaking country, you must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English.
The well-known English proficiency test, the International English Language Test (IELTS), is designed for that. It tests your ability to listen, read, write, and speak in English.
The IELTS test is an important and expensive affair. For those considering an education loan or personal loan to cover expenses, there are ways to prepare so that you ace this test like a pro. Here are some actionable methods that will set you up for success.
1. Learn the grading criteria inside out
The key to scoring well is comprehending what a great answer looks like. Study the assessment criteria through and through and keep it as a blueprint for your answers. This is crucial with the writing and speaking sections, where your responses are graded on subjective factors. When you know precisely what the examiners want, you can give it to them. Official textbooks and the official IELTS exam board website are great places to find a few examples of answers. You can also scour through the internet but refer to credible sources.
Tip: Like using a personal loan EMI calculator to compute monthly EMIs, you can work backward with IELTS. Study how many answers you can get wrong. For instance, if you aim to get band 6, you must get 23 correct answers out of 40 questions.
2. Learn new vocabulary
From understanding questions and texts to demonstrating your command of the language, a good vocabulary will help you with every aspect of the IELTS exam. It’s also an excellent way to show the examiner that you’ve worked to go from intermediate to advanced level.
Expanding your vocabulary includes learning unfamiliar words and synonyms. During your next tea time break, grab a cup of tea instead of scrutinizing personal loan interest rates, find a cozy spot, and settle down with a thesaurus.
Tip: To keep it interesting, maintain a diary where you jot down all the new words you encounter while reading articles, watching movies, studying, etc.
3. Practice makes perfect
IELTS is an exam that tests various skills, and if you want to be proficient, you need to practice, practice, and practice more! Plenty of resources are available online, like practice papers and previous test papers. You can also use textbooks. The advantage is that these resources are exclusively curated, keeping in mind frequently asked questions and existing IELTS question papers, which will greatly help.
Tip: Along with practice tests, try to spot patterns in the questions and use that to your advantage.
4. Create a study schedule (and stick to it!)
While this seems like a no-brainer, having a game plan for meeting your goals is essential. You have to put your time on your calendar and commit to studying. If it gets too monotonous, swap it up – use flashcards one day, do practice tests the other, test your listening, etc.
Tip: All segments carry the same total score, so divide time equally among the four sections.
Your Time To Shine
A good IELTS score can change your life by opening up a world of opportunities. Don’t let the shortage of funds stress you out. A personal loan or an education loan will give you the support you need to focus on studying strategically and achieving your goals.
