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IELTS Preparation: The best way to prepare for IELTS

IELTS Preparation: The best way to prepare for IELTS

The IELTS test is critically important for most people. It can make the difference between studying overseas and staying at home; between having your immigration status confirmed or denied. So, with your IELTS test coming up, studying non-stop should be the best way to prepare and get the result you need, right? The evidence suggests that this is not the case. Yes, you need to study, but you need to study strategically.

Studying hard vs studying strategically?

It is possible to study hard and learn very little. Some students spend hours reading, re-writing notes and watching videos hoping the more time they spend on the content, the more they will learn. However, there is a lot more to learning than just endless revision.

Click into this blog post from the State University of New York. It’s called ‘Scientifically, the best way to prepare for final exams’. In this post, the author discusses the top eight things to think about when you start to study — what are the best studying habits? A few notes before you start:

  • The blog post is about finals, or final university exams, but is applicable to other important tests like the IELTS.
  • The author uses the word ‘cramming’ a lot. This means intensive, last-minute study.
  • Reading this article also provides real-life practise for the IELTS Reading test.

When you’ve finished…

Think about your study habits:

  1. Do you listen to music while you study?
  2. Do you always study in the same place?
  3. Do you take breaks for exercise?
  4. Do you eat while you study? If so, what?
  5. Do you start by reading the marking criteria or head straight into content?
  6. Do you understand the task types and how to do the test?

Do you agree with what the author says? Do you have any strategies she doesn’t mention? How do you get into your best form? Leave your comments below to help your fellow candidates!


Check out our other guides on IELTS:

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