English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. And if you want to work, live, or study in an English-speaking country, you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency.
The well-known English proficiency test, the International English Language Test (IELTS), is designed for exactly 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 example answers. You can also scour through the internet, but make sure that you refer to credible sources.
Tip: Like how you use a personal loan EMI calculator to compute monthly EMIs, with IELTS, you can work backward. Study how many answers you can get wrong. For instance, if you aim to get band 6, you will need to get 23 correct answers out of 40 questions.
2. Learn new vocabulary
From understanding questions and texts to demonstrating your command of the language, 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 put in the work to go from intermediate to advanced level.
Expanding your vocabulary includes learning unfamiliar words and synonyms. During your next tea time break, instead of scrutinizing personal loan interest rates, grab a cup of tea, 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! There are plenty of resources available online, like practice papers and previous test papers. You can use textbooks too. The advantage is that these resources are exclusively curated, keeping in mind frequently asked questions and existing IELTS question papers, which will be of great 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, it is essential to have a game plan for meeting your goals. You have to block out 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 so you can focus on studying strategically and achieving your goals.
