Learning how to multitask in the IELTS Listening test is hard and can sometimes feel impossible. In this post, Kishore Roy gives some tips on how to use your preparation time effectively to improve your performance.
Author: Kishore Roy, Exams Manager, British Council Egypt
IELTS Writing: Failing to plan is planning to fail!
One reason the IELTS Writing test is challenging is because of the time constraints. You only have one hour to do two tasks. This means that using your time efficiently is vital.
It is very important to plan what you will write before you start writing. This might seem an obvious idea but many candidates, perhaps consumed with test-day nerves, see the test question and immediately start on their answer.
IELTS Speaking: The grammar challenge
You might be surprised to hear that grammar is one of the four criteria used to assess your IELTS Speaking test performance and that it carries 25% of the points.
Many test-takers assume grammar in speaking is only about accuracy and not making any mistakes. This is only half the story. Making errors is natural, and IELTS understands this: even IELTS Speaking Band 7 expects that 'some grammatical mistakes persist'.