If you are an aspirant aiming to study abroad, IELTS is one of the first steps to achieving your dream of studying abroad. But what is it, and why is it important?
IELTS, or the International English Language Testing System, is a standardised test to assess the language proficiency of international individuals who want to study or work in English-speaking countries.
While IELTS is one of the most important steps in the journey, how to prepare for it is the most common question that may arise. Now the question that may come to your mind is “Should I enrol at a coaching institute or prepare at home?”
The good news is that with the right methodology, systematic planning, and in-depth research about the test, IELTS self-preparation at home can also fetch you a good score. To help you with this, we have prepared a guide on how to start IELTS preparation at home for beginners, along with resources available on the internet.
Remember that the journey towards your dream university starts with the preparation of English Language Proficiency Test. Yocket can help you reach your dream college. With a personal counsellor helping you out with profile building and application processes, the counselling is curated JUST FOR YOU.
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Overview of IELTS Exam Preparation
The IELTS exam is a gateway to pursuing higher studies in multiple foreign destinations. These scores are mandatory for every international student to get admission to any university abroad. And the best way to begin your IELTS self-preparation is by inculcating the habit of speaking and writing in English.
But sometimes, hailing from non English speaking countries like India, students may think and communicate in their own language. But don’t worry; consistent practice and zeal for the dream university can help you score better.
Most universities require students to have both IELTS and GRE qualifications for master's courses. While the English Language Proficiency Test is mandatory for all students from non-English speaking countries, a good GRE score displays one’s abilities and skills to take up a master's program at top universities abroad. Studying abroad in itself is a long journey, and preparing for multiple exams can sometimes be exhausting. But how about preparing for two tests together? Yes, you read it right!
Do you know both tests have similarities in quite a few ways? The Writing Task 2 of IELTS and the GRE AWA Issue Essay have the same approach; the only difference is the difficulty level of the latter. Both tasks ask for your opinion on social issues within different time limits and word counts. Hence, you can prepare for both tests simultaneously. And what better way to prepare for the GRE than with Yocket GRE Prep? Take our diagnostic test and enhance your GRE prep through section-wise analysis, customised practice tests, and more for free!
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Now that you have an overview of IELTS preparation, let's discuss how to prepare for IELTS at home:
How to Self Prepare for IELTS Examination at Home
Before starting your first step towards IELTS preparation at home, you need to first understand its exam pattern and know each section of the test. As many international students pick some professional institutions for IELTS, here are some strategies to use on your IELTS self study plan:
- Know the IELTS Test: Getting every bit of information about the IELTS test will help youstayy on track with how to study for the IELTS exam at home.
- Understand its sections and exam patterns: The IELTS tests consist of four sections, i.e., reading, speaking, writing, and listening. The test scores are based on the rating scale. Make sure to go through the exam pattern before IELTS preparation and self study. This will help you to solve the questions swiftly and with ease.
- Develop Reading Skills: Reading is an important skill if you are looking for ways to prepare for IELTS at home. You will be tested on your thoughts, gists, understanding of the rational argument, and knowledge of intentions. Making your habit of reading magazines, blogs, newspapers, journals, etc. can boost your IELTS self preparation to secure a good score in the reading section.
- Engage in English-based learning: Engage in some fun scrabble activities with your friends and family or communicate with them in the English language. Adapting to theseplayfuly ways of learning will increase your language skills. Moreover, you can also use Yocket flashcardss to do self study IELTS at home.
- Attempting IELTS practice tests: Taking IELTS practice tests before appearing in the actual test is also an amazing way of preparing for the IELTS exam at home. It will assist you in listening carefully, speed reading, confidence speaking, and flair writing. Each of these strategies helps you score well on the exam.
- Use Online Resources: You can also use online resources like IELTS training workshops, guidance sessions, materials,and podcast resources to prepare for the IELTS test.
- Interviewing with peers: Practising mock interviews with your peers to discuss general topics in English will allow you to observe your presentation skills with thoughts and opinions from audiences.
- Watch English Movies and Documentaries: Watching movies and documentaries is an amazing tool in your IELTS exam preparation. It allows you to understand their accent, tones and dialects. Also, it influences the cross-culture, geography and tribes reflected directly in the movies.
- Use Adjectives and Verbs: If you know how to prepare for the IELTS from home, you must know that a major part of the test requires you to describe many situations with answers. Hence testing your hands to use adjectives and verbs is quite effective for you during the test.
- Practise Effective Introduction: Along with your listening and writing tests, you must have to go through Speaking tests too. For this, you can prepare a descriptive introduction for yourself, talking about your interests, passions and goals for studying abroad. Try to express yourself well before the invigilator.
Let's now look at tips on how to prepare for IELTS at home for international students:
Suggested: IELTS Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Top Tips for Preparing IELTS Exam Without Coaching
Working on IELTS English skills may seem a bit difficult for you in the beginning, but with some effort and practice, you can achieve a good command of your language. And if you are searching for how can I prepare for IELTS at home, here we have given some tips on how to prepare IELTS exam at home for each section:
Listening Section
The IELTS listening section requires you to listen to four different pieces of audio carefully and give the answers according to them.
- You can develop your habits of note-making, mind mapping, and searching for pointers for answers.
- Try to hear every word carefully
- Avoid all distractions and assumptions while listening.
- Provide answers without specified limits.
- Prepare well and exclude spelling mistakes and punctuation errors.
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Reading Section
The IELTS reading section includes passage-based questions testing your understanding, interpretation, and comprehension of the answers.
- During reading, keep your eyes open, as it helps you give answers immediately.
- Read blogs, newspapers, journals, and magazines regularly.
- Make sure to keep an eye on punctuation and understand texts appropriately.
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Writing Section
The IELTS writing section includes two essays requiring you to describe a given situation, process, graph, and chart.
- Read and practice descriptive essays
- Allocate time to write an essay within the given time.
- Mark your grammar and punctuation mistakes and improve them.
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Speaking Section
IELTS speaking section assesses your interview and communication skills. The invigilator checks your speaking ability, sentence formations, narratives etc.
- You can prepare a creative introduction about yourself.
- Practise how to ask questions firmly.
- Engages in debates and discussion groups.
- Work on your body language and form views on current affairs.
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Now that we know how to prepare for IELTS at home for each section, Let's have a look at the books that will help you in IELTS self study:
List of Books to Study for IELTS Exam Preparation
Books are an important resource if you are making an IELTS self study plan. A good book without any errors assists you in preparing well and reduces your screen time. Although the test is in online mode, preparing it with books can be quite effective for you. Here we have listed some of the good books on how to prepare for IELTS from home for international students:
- Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Student's Book with Answers with Audio
- The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
- Official IELTS Practice Materials
- Barron's IELTS Superpack
- Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS
- Focus on IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook
- Success to IELTS: Tips and Techniques
- Cambridge Grammar for IELTS
- Collins English for IELTS
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From the desk of Yocket
With dedication and practice, it is very much possible for you to score good marks while preparing for the IELTS at home. Have a clear understanding of each subsection of IELTS, along with the syllabus and the pattern of the exam. Invest in the best books that help you understand the concepts with examples.
Achieving a good grade will surely increase your chances of getting into your dream college, provided that you have a strong profile in additional requirements such as SOP, LOR, etc. And if you are ambitious enough to take that step, you are in the right place! With Yocket Premium, you not only get your profile built by our top-of-the-field counsellors, but you also get guidance for making a strong application that will get you the admission you are looking for.
