IELTS Listening Tips and Tricks: Let’s Know How to Ace the IELTS Listening Test 2022

The IELTS Listening test is based on different audio which the test taker listens to, and answers questions based on it.  The aim of this blog is to provide valuable tips and tricks to be better prepared for the IELTS listening test. Read along to find out about the IELTS listening computer-based tips, the scores, and practice tests.

The IELTS listening comprises four different listening tasks, which can be monologues, a conversation between two people, or among a group of people. The test taker is required to listen to the audio carefully, and then answer the questions based on it. The total duration of the IELTS Listening exam is 30 minutes, an additional 10 minutes are given for transferring the answers to a separate sheet.

Let’s learn the tips and tricks for the IELTS exam through this article. Read this complete article and acknowledge each step to achieve excellence and success in the test.

IELTS Test Key Bullets

You must know the given points about the IELTS test if you are an aspirant of the examination. Don’t miss any information or updates related to the exam. The given bullets consist of them all. Let’s acknowledge.

#. The IELTS exam Test dates are available throughout the year. You can choose the date according to your convenience to take the exam.

#. You should know that the exam has 78 IELTS Test Centres spread across India.

#. It is significant to know that the IELTS test scores are declared within 13 days.

#. The IELTS score is valid for two years. This is valid from the date of the examination.

#. The IELTS test is conducted to provide a valid and accurate assessment of the English language. You must be proficient in the language.

IELTS Listening Test Format

The IELTS Listening Test is divided into four sections and each section has a different recording which the test taker listens to. The conversations and recordings are that of native English speakers. The four sections are as below:

The first part is a conversation among two people based on a regular social context

The second part is a monologue that is based on a regular social context

The third part is a group conversation among three to four people or more and is based on educational or training context

The fourth part is a monologue based on the educational context.

Answering Techniques

The test takers have to listen carefully to all conversations and note their answers simultaneously on the question paper. When the test ends, an additional time of 10 minutes is given to move the answers to a separate answer sheet. It is important to take care of the grammar and spelling, as errors may lead to mark deduction.

The total number of questions is 40 and carries one mark each. The question types of the IELTS Listening test may include a variety of options like multiple choice, matching, plan, map, or diagram labelling, completion of form, note, flowchart, summary, or sentence, and short answer type questions.

IELTS Listening Tips and Tricks

Other than the physical tests, the IELTS Listening is also computer-based, and following ahead are a few tips and tricks that may even fetch you a band 9 if followed with utmost precision. Getting such a score is an extraordinary task, but one can always adhere to these IELTS listening tips for band 9:

Improving General Listening Skills

All recordings in the tests are played just once, and it is important to listen to them carefully. For this, the practice tests are alone not very helpful. It is important to develop general listening skills by listening to TV shows or radio shows, podcasts, or narratives by native English speakers. Once the skills are sharp, the listening practice tests can be attempted to get familiar with the exam format.

Improve Your Listening and Writing Skills

The candidates must emphasize upgrading their writing and listening skills because these are a must in this section. You are given a recording to hear and write answers for the same. So you must feel comfortable hearing the language and understanding it to fetch and write precise answers. If you lose at any one point, you will lose at gaining high scores which is a need to walk towards your destination.

Number of Words

It is very important to take care of the number of words for a particular question while answering, which may change with each question. The answer may be required in one or two words, or sometimes just a letter.

In the case of multiple-choice, if three options are given as a,b and c, and the answer is required in one letter, then the correct letter (for example ‘be) should be written, and not the answer is given against it.

Don’t Try to Understand Everything

The IELTS Listening test recordings will have a lot of information that is not required for the answers. It is important to look only for the answers, by marking keywords from the questions. Sometimes, two or three answers may come quickly, and sometimes there may be a gap between answers. So it is important to be accurate and focused.

Looking for Common or Silly Mistakes

It is important to take care of the mistakes like writing plural words (with an ‘s’), spelling mistakes, and word forms. These mistakes will lead to a deduction in marks. The information in the recording may keep on changing and it is important to look for the correct answer and not hurry with it. The next point will give you more on this.

Don’t Hurry with the Answers

Sometimes, a word spoken in the recording may look like the correct answer, and the test taker may quickly write it down. But, another change in the conversation may contain the right answer. For example, refer to the following conversation:

Harry: Thanks for sharing your email. So it is [email protected]

Tim: No, no, you seem to be mistaken. It’s [email protected], with an ‘m’.

Harry: Oh sorry, I got it.

IELTS Listening Practice Tests

Attempting various practice tests will help in familiarising with the exam format and the type of questions that can be asked. This will also create a time-bound environment to prepare well for the exam. Another important aspect is multi-tasking, since test takers have to listen to audio, find answers, and write them down, all at the same time. Practice tests will help in building this skill.

Transferring the Answers

While transferring the answers, special attention should be given to plurals, grammar, and spellings. Also, no answer should be left blank, as there is no negative marking, it is always wise to write something even if you don’t know the answer, as it may actually turn out to be correct. A guess can always be made if not sure.

IELTS Listening Score Chart

The IELTS Listening test is for a total of 40 marks. There is one mark for each correct answer and no negative marking. The score obtained by the test taker is then converted to the IELTS band score, which ranges from 0 to 9. Refer to the table below to understand the IELTS Listening Score conversion:

Correct Answer    Band Score

39-40    9

37-38    8.5

35-36    8

32-34    7.5

30-31    7

26-29    6.5

23-25    6

18-22    5.5

16-17    5

13-15    4.5

Additional Tips and Tricks for IELTS Listening Test

It is important to develop strong grammar and vocabulary in order to be thoroughly prepared for not just the listening, but other parts of the IELTS exam as well. The listening part requires concentration, as losing focus will lead to missing answers. 30 minutes of time is enough to carefully listen to all recordings, mark the right words, and look for the correct answers.

Also, it is not wise to waste much time on a question if an answer cannot be found. It should not lead to missing out on the other answers. So the person can always come back to it when other answers are written. It is advisable to use a pencil for writing, just in case corrections are to be made. Also, both capital letters and small letters can be used for answering. The capital letters, however, make the answers look bold and clearer.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam in One Month?

Well, if you are planning to ace this test in just one month, you need to focus on all the sections and the pattern of the questions. It will give you an idea to solve them perfectly. Also, you must compose yourself carefully and have appropriate IELTS preparation material then you can prepare for the IELTS exam 2022 in one month.

The IELTS exam has different sections and each section has multiple subsections, so you have to go through everything at the beginning to decide how much time will be sufficient to get comfortable with all the materials.

However, you can do the below-written things to reach a good band in the exam. These elements will help you to get near perfect for the exam. You will become closer to your dream through these techniques.

#. Solve an IELTS practice test daily

#. Learn how to approach IELTS questions

#. Learn vocabulary

#. Focus on improving your listening and #. develop reading skills

IELTS Listening Test

You have to focus on all the elements related to this section. It only tests your understanding of the English language because the recordings are given to you to hear and answer the questions from it. If you are comfortable and comfortable with the language, you can understand everything well.

This section has 4 sections and consists of 40 questions which means 10 questions each. You should ensure that your headphones are working correctly. If they are not working efficiently, you should tell the examiner and change them with the right ones.

These things are necessary to have during the test. The tips for the section initiate with a bit of advice that you must use the allotted time properly to read the questions and understand them before listening to the recording. This will give you a focus on the answers from the recording. While listening to the recording, make the notes on the paper.

This requires comfort with the language and speed at writing. The recording is played only once, therefore, you should listen to the recording carefully focusing on the answers. Moreover, you should answer within the word limit. Don’t exceed it unnecessarily as it can’t benefit you anyway.

Listening Strategies

If you have been reading this article, you must have understood the tricks to get perfect at this section. A few more strategies include using capital letters for the words that you need to focus on or sentences too, working efficiently at your handwriting as it affects the impression on the examiners. Before submitting, have a gentle look at the answers to correct the mistakes.

The grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and everything relevant must be checked precisely. This would make a great impression on the examiners and you will reach a high band. If you have read the questions before the recording starts, your mind will automatically focus on the answers to the questions. Therefore, you should use your mind wisely to reach high scores.

Conclusion

Therefore, this article might have been useful for your IELTS preparation. Well, you should perform a great number of practices to score better in the exam and remember that there is no substitute for hard work and devotion. With all major tips and tricks covered for the IELTS Listening exam, it is important to be in regular practice and implementation.

Vocabulary and grammar skills can not be learned overnight and they require time to develop and build. Listening to audio spoken by native English speakers will help a lot in comprehending most speeches and words with ease.

For more useful information on the IELTS exam, click here and explore a wide range of tips for a better result. If you want to have any more guidance for the sections of this exam or need to learn about different aspects, visit the IELTS Ninja website.

The articles present there are tremendously useful for all the candidates. You can also get connected with the professionals to learn immensely and move forward towards success.