How hard is IELTS?

[snowflake78]

Friends,

I am in early phases of exploring Express Entry route to Canada. Thanks to that Orangutan in the Whitehouse. I hold a PhD in US and have been living in US for more than a decade. I am just curious how hard is to get max score in IELTS? Is this something that requires a lot of preparation? What is typical time needed? Sorry for these open-ended questions, but any insights will be extremely useful.

 

[raven00090]

Friends,

I am in early phases of exploring Express Entry route to Canada. Thanks to that Orangutan in the Whitehouse. I hold a PhD in US and have been living in US for more than a decade. I am just curious how hard is to get max score in IELTS? Is this something that requires a lot of preparation? What is typical time needed? Sorry for these open-ended questions, but any insights will be extremely useful.

It's not that hard. You just need to familiarize yourself with the exam format. First time I gave it, I prepared for only a month or less. And all I did was just solve a couple of practice tests from the IELTS book that you get when you register for the exam. I got an 8.5 out of 9 bands the first time I gave the exam. You are probably a native English speaker, so it should not be that hard for you. Look up some practice tests online, and you will get a fair idea of it.

 

[bestofluck]

Friends,

I am in early phases of exploring Express Entry route to Canada. Thanks to that Orangutan in the Whitehouse. I hold a PhD in US and have been living in US for more than a decade. I am just curious how hard is to get max score in IELTS? Is this something that requires a lot of preparation? What is typical time needed? Sorry for these open-ended questions, but any insights will be extremely useful.

It is a relative term and to get a perfect answer to this, you have to try it yourself by giving the exam once. If you get good score its fine or else you can try again.

 

[snowflake78]

Thanks. I am not a native speaker par se, but have been living US for more than a decade. I guess there is only one way to find out!

 

[raven00090]

Thanks. I am not a native speaker par se, but have been living US for more than a decade. I guess there is only one way to find out!

Yes, neither am I. I'd say take an exam date, register for it, and then go through the book they send you, solving as many tests as you can.

 

[Reha1212]

If you have been in the states for more than a decade, I'd say you shouldn't have any problems with the listening, reading or speaking (lived in Canada for 6 years 10 years ago and got 8.5s in each) but you might find it usefull to practice for the writing part. what I did was, I only watched ieltsliz.com and engvid.com (Adam) videos to figure out the tricks and got 7.5 in writing which is good enough for your CRS score.

 

[kryt0n]

Native speaker here - it isn't technically difficult at all if you are comfortable with English. The problem is is that they do try and trick you and you have to be constantly alert to those tricks. My second test (it expires after 2 years) I somehow managed to only get a 7 in reading. I have a feeling I probably didn't read the instructions properly, but it's still a clb 9. I watched YouTube videos. Boyfriend scored higher than me and didn't do anything.

 

[sushsmart15]

IELTS is more about practice and getting into a momentum. You need to practice for around 1.5 months (4 to 5 days a week) and get into a rhythm where you consistently score CLB 9 in practice exams. Once you get into this rhythm, continue to maintain it and you will be very much confident on the main exam day and you can easily obtain your desired CLB 9 or above module scores.

 

[TanakaM]

Hi,

Just like any test, if taken for granted it can be your downfall. So if you give it the due respect and put in 100% effort you will get good grades. You have a lot of things in your favour (Living in the USA and being a top academic).

I also highly recommend ieltsliz.com and engvid.com for great tips and material.

All the best

 

[mukulabd]

There is a whole section dedicated to ielts where you can find all your test related answers:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/ielts-international-english-language-testing-system-b53.0/

 

[xpressentry]

Even though I have been studying English all my life and living in the UK for a long time, my overconfidence led me to think that it was a piece of cake. I kept lagging in the 7.5 mark. You need perseverance, consistency and a strict practice schedule.

 

[TanakaM]

Even though I have been studying English all my life and living in the UK for a long time, my overconfidence led me to think that it was a piece of cake. I kept lagging in the 7.5 mark. You need perseverance, consistency and a strict practice schedule.

I love the honesty in your post. Great advice. +1