How to Start IELTS Exam Preparation for Beginners? Best Ways to Prepare at Home

Aspirants who are looking to study at home can have two ways to learn. One is through self-studying, and the other way is to have joined the best online classes. This article will provide you with these two methods and one can choose what to opt for. This article will provide you with the right glimpse of how one should start preparation if they are beginners and what they should opt for preparing at home.

If the aspirant is in doubt about how one can prepare by sitting at home, then you have come to the right place, read the whole article to have these doubts solved and choose your option between self-studying and online classes because we will be discussing the pros and cons. Stay tuned.

How to Start IELTS Exam Preparation for Beginners?

Here are some tips for beginners who can start preparing at home

Understand How Scoring is Done

It’s significant that you understand how the IELTS exam is scored so that you can track your progress effectively.

On a scale of 1–9, the exam is evaluated. These grades are referred to as ‘bands.’

Take a look at the infographic below to get a better idea of what each band represents in terms of English proficiency. We are just going to mention 6–9 because if you’re reading and comprehending this essay, you’re probably already a 5.

Example: Speaking- 7

Listening- 6

Reading- 8

Writing- 7

Then your total score would be (7+6+8+7)÷4= Band 7.

Once you’ve mastered the band system for scoring IELTS, you’ll need to apply it to each section of the test.

Each area of the exam: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, is treated as a separate test and will receive its own band score. The average of these four values will be your final IELTS score.

Understand the Examination Format

To succeed on the IELTS exam, you must first have a clear understanding of how the test will be administered. This will keep you from getting caught off guard on exam day and allow you to concentrate on the quality of your work.

To begin, take a look at the diagram below, which shows how the exam works:

Task	Description	Approximate time
Listening	Four sections, ten questions each	30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time)
Reading	Academic: three reading texts General: three sections	60 minutes
Writing	Two tasks in academic and general	60 minutes
Speaking	Three sections	11-14 minutes

You can familiarise yourself with the IELTS format by completing practise papers once you understand the exam requirements.

Also Read: What is the Format of the IELTS Exam? Know All about the Latest IELTS Exam Pattern

Identify Your Level

If you’re absolutely new to IELTS, the easiest method to figure out where you stand is to complete the actual IELTS practise papers under exam conditions and honestly grade yourself.

Keep in mind that IELTS practise and IELTS preparation are not the same thing. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that completing practise papers will increase your score; instead, it’s crucial to learn from your mistakes in order to improve your overall competence.

Equip With All the Tools You Need

Despite the abundance of IELTS materials available on the internet, the majority of IELTS students will need the help of a tutor at some point throughout their studies.

The reason for this is because objectively assessing your own speaking and writing competence is nearly impossible, as these are productive talents that require both practise and expert evaluation.

Identifying your deficiencies is an important element of IELTS preparation because you will never learn how to improve if you don’t know what you’re doing incorrectly.

Also Read: BC IELTS Exam Dates 2021: Here’s All You Need to Know about 2021 British Council Dates

How to Start IELTS Preparation at Home?

Well, the best way for preparation varies from person to person. One would think that self-studying is the best way, one will have online classes as the best way, one will find both as the best ways, one can find neither and can opt for offline.

Well, as we are discussing how to prepare at home, let’s talk about the two ways about how to prepare at home. There will be two ways discussed and one can choose their best way to prepare at home.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide for IELTS Preparation: Get Your Desired Band Score

Preparation of IELTS at Home: The Self Studying Method

When someone thinks that the best way to do it is the self-studying method, here is a guide for you all.

Listening

The easiest of the four sections is meant to be listening. Within 30 minutes, the candidate will listen to four distinct recordings and answer 40 questions. The tough aspect is that you’ll have to listen and write at the same time. So, how can you ace the exam’s listening section?

#Before the exam, practise, practise, practise, and take as many trial exams as you can.

#Focus is essential; pay attention to every part of the conversation as it unfolds. Most of the time, losing focus for a few seconds will cause you to miss one or two questions, lowering your score.

#Attempt to learn various English accents.

When you’re not taking practise tests, listen to podcasts, watch English news channels, and watch English shows to improve your listening skills and better understand native English speakers’ accents.

Reading

The reading section is divided into three sections, each with 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. Reading is about time management, whereas listening is about practice.

#While practising reading portions, time your trail tests.

#Section 3 is more difficult than sections 1 and 2. As a result, spend as little time as possible on the first two portions and focus on the third section.

#Improve your vocabulary. Because time is of the essence in this situation, you must be able to decipher difficult terms in order to move on fast.

#Before you read the content, take a look at the questions. While reading, make a list of keywords. This makes it easier for you to respond.

#Make a mental note of the gist of the paragraph as you read.

Also Read: Free IELTS Mock Test: How to Prepare for IELTS Exam Online?

Writing

Task 1 and task 2 are the two sections of writing. The first task entails examining a situation or a graph, chart, or diagram. Task 2 will need you to write a substantial essay on a certain topic.

Writing puts your language skills to the test in a practical sense. Plan your composition in your head and consider the pattern of the essay before putting it on paper.

#4 to 5 short paragraphs should be plenty for your material.

#Begin with a captivating opening and end with thought-provoking conclusions.

#Use a lot of synonyms instead of repeating the terms.

Speaking

The speaking test occurs a few days before or after the completion of the previous three modules. For a smooth passage through this test, you must wear your confidence on your sleeves. The test is broken down into three sections: an introduction, an individual lengthy turn, and a two-way conversation between the examinee and the examiner.

#The sentences should be well-starting and ending.

#Do not use the same words or phrases twice.

#Practice at home by chatting to your friends about a variety of topics and asking for comments.

#Construct sentences that are straightforward and error-free.

#Make sure you pronounce everything correctly.

#As a result, you can prepare for the IELTS exam at home and save money and time. Working hard and smartly is the way to go. Best wishes.

Also Read: Best Online IELTS Preparation Course: How You Can Prepare for IELTS at Home using Online Resources

Preparation of IELTS at Home: Online Classes

Many aspirants have one period when they need the help of a tutor and for them, online classes are one of the best ways to study at home. So, the aspirants should also have the best online classes.

Here we will discuss the online classes provided by IELTS Ninja and how they educate their students to ace IELTS.

Private Online Mentor

#Get your desired band by learning from the top IELTS tutors in India. We offer one-on-one training sessions via Skype or Zoom.

#Doubt-solving sessions with individual attention

#Regular evaluation and feedback are essential.

Learn Anytime, Anywhere with Video Lectures

#With our incredible video lectures, you can now learn in a flexible and high-quality manner. Take a look at some of our sample videos.

#For a better understanding, you can watch as many times as you like.

#Examples and illustrations abound in these videos.

#Accessible at any time

Customized Study Plan For Every Student

#A customised study plan is used to instruct students depending on their skills and shortcomings.

#Now is the time to take a diagnostic test to find out what band you’re in.

#Greater emphasis on problem areas

#Every section should aim for 8 band training.

Comprehensive Mock Test Series

#After each module has been completed, there will be comprehensive mock tests.

#Mock tests for modules, sections, and the entire course

#After each test, evaluate and provide feedback.

#Action plan based on performance.

Also Read: Reasons Why IELTS NINJA Provides The Best Coaching In India

Best Way to Prepare: Mistakes That Should Not Be Made

Here are some mistakes that one should avoid and how can one overcome them.

Breathe, Pause and Think

Pausing and taking a deep breath before answering can help you concentrate yourself and your thoughts, whether it’s for the speaking section or the writing section.

It is well recognised that rushing to respond due to a time limitation can lead to embarrassing mistakes that you should avoid at all costs. As a result, when preparing for the IELTS, make sure to include breathing/preparation time in your plan.

Reading the Instructions Right

When addressing writing problems, whether it’s to answer in three words or 250, one must paraphrase and strive to stay within the word count, not exceeding it or falling too short of it.

It’s fine to go a few words over or under, but the closer you go to the count, the more likely you are to get closer to the feel-good band 9. Most students duplicate the words from the passage when attempting the reading section.

When it comes to the reading section, most students end up copying the words from the paragraph onto the sheet, despite the fact that paraphrasing may be necessary to stay below the word limit. Make sure you understand the instructions and don’t exceed the word limit.

Not Strategizing

As the IELTS becomes increasingly challenging within sections, critical decisions such as whether to devote more time to the second essay while writing or to tackle the last section while reading might have a significant impact on your score.

It is critical that you establish a plan based on your skills and limitations when studying for the exam.

Use the practice sessions to figure out which portions have the most points and which sections are taking you the longest to finish. Find a coach to assist you in completing this activity.

Making Notes

Making notes before transferring the answer to the final sheet will prevent you from having to figure out how to remedy a mistake you’ve already committed, whether it’s in the listening or writing sections.

Make sure that your practise method includes time for making rough notes before writing the correct answers.

If you give yourself enough time to double-check, you can avoid deductions. You are given 5 minutes to compose your thoughts even if you are taking a speaking test. Make shorthand notes with them to refer to when you begin speaking.

Also Read: Common Mistakes You Should Not Make in the IELTS exam: Know Them Here

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article answered your way of preparation at home and how one should prepare. One should remember that they don’t forget their registration timings and pass the deadlines. One should always keep the dates and deadlines of the IELTS examination in mind.

The aspirants should only attempt the exam when they are seriously willing and are ready for it. Till then take the mock tests and make sure that one scores their desired band score in them.

The IELTS exam will decide whether you will get into your institution, as most of the universities abroad ask for your score, so one should not take it lightly. For more information read our latest articles. All the best!

Also Read: IELTS Preparation at Home: How to Prepare for IELTS Exam at Home without Coaching?