Taking IELTS on July 17,2010

[asad100101]

My IELTS is about to expire within a week and I will need to take the test again. I had already taken the test twice (Academic).

I was able to pull off 7.0 band in my first attempt in 2006. I had prepared for the test over 6 weeks. 4-5 hours a day. I started learning English in 2002 from zero level. I thought that I would have to learn this language otherwise I would not be able to use Internet to the fullest. To cut my long story short, I scored

L: 6.5
R: 6.5
W: 7.0
S: 7.0

(I found Reading section to be the hardest one in my first attempt, I thought I would score something like 4 band). I had to guess last 5-6 questions because of time constraints. I did not even have time to read my questions.)

I also had a problem in writing second task because I was not good at writing eassys and coming up with thought provoking arguments.

In August 2008, I took the real test without preparation. Did not take a single practice test whatsoever.

L: 7.0
R: 6.0 ( Passages were easy because lack of practice it seemed like a difficult section).
W: 7.0
S: 7.0

This time my aim is to score atleast 7.0 band in reading section, and atleast 8.0 in speaking section. This is my wish for the next test.
My accent is not charming and thickish and I have hardly spoken English apart from a little bit self-talking. Still I was able to pull off 7 band on the basis of fluency
and using some words from listener's passive vocabulary. On some occassions I also went off-topic while speaking yet I was able to score 7.0
It had happened with me both times.

Above is my trackrecord. What advice would you like to give me if I want to score 7.0 in Reading section and 8.0 in speaking section? On what stuff should I spend my time more?

PS: In my first test, used cambridge books from 1-3 and used one more book from another author). In my second test, used no books.

 

[Last-Illusion]

Hi there , I am glad that u have work real hard and got 7. THATS EXCELLENT !

I took IELTS test on 26th June, and hoping for 7.5.
in reading test do underline all imp words in the passage. the " word " thats describes or is the most imp word in a line. also circle the names such as names of scientists given or names of meteorites.....etc. later when u read questions its easy to find the answers related to underlined or circled words. I did this during my practice and during the actual test, it helped me a lot. Bcoz i too , found out that reading is the most difficult test and when looking for the answers u get lost in the text. so I myself found this trick and was quite successful.
when i first practiced i received initially 16 or 18 out of 40. later with this trick i got upto 35.

so do try this trick/tip !

Do use cambridge books 3 to 7 . they r pretty good.


In this forum the tips on speaking test is given do read and prepare accordingly.

I read all the topics given here in this forum , by using net. it gives u insight of the topic and word-power.

i was asked about full name occupation , flowers, gardens, museums, old item at home. thanks to lord i did some reading on museums otherwise........................ as u know in our daily life we r more concentrated on our jobs and we need to refresh our minds .so go through various topics via internet .

hope this helps

 

[Last-Illusion]

I am from islamabad and U from ?

 

[asad100101]

I am from Karachi, Pakistan.

Q1: Can we use some kind of red pen or pointer on the actual question paper? I am not sure If I am allowed to write anything on the question paper apart from listening section. If answer "yes", I'll definitely like to underline and circle most important information in the text while scanning.

I agree. Cambridge books are great for practice..

Q2: Can you suggest a book just for understanding the format of the test and which types of questions are asked in the readng section and how can we answer them accurately?

 

[matlal]

Hi Azad,

Your efforts put forth to learn English from scratch is commendable. Your post does portray the standard you have obtained.

I think you wouldn't need to prepare much for the coming exam.

Here are few tips :

Reading
1. Browse the questions prior to reading the passage.
2. Do the last essay first, i.e. the longest one.
3. Don't read word for word : Just make mental maps, of where you would be able to find information
4. After you have finished scanning the passage : attempt the questions :
5. Write the answers on your question paper.
6. Don't waste too much time on one question, if you can't find an answer : move on and come to it later.
7. Once you finish with the longest passage : attempt the next one : Approach the reading task – BACK TO FRONT.
8. The mistake most do, is that they attempt the first passage which is very easy : In an effort to be perfect, you double check and triple check your answers and end up losing time : Thus, you will have very less time for the last passage.
9. Give yourself about 10-15 mins to transfer the answers from your question paper to your answer sheet
10. Use this time to check your answers and look for answers of difficult questions.

Listening
1. There is always high probability of making mistakes and getting lost .
2. If you feel you have lost the answer to one question skip it and move on to the next : just mark the incomplete Q, so you can make guess later, based on the context of the listening passage
3. Read ahead, so to say, know what the next question is : so if you get lost finding the answer for one question, you would not miss the other questions.
Writing
1. Use a PEN-PENCIL (0.7MM). Don't use pencil : as the letters would look thicker and clutter your page : constant sharpening would make you lose time.
2. Avoid using pen, as it doesn't allow corrections.
3. Don't spend more than 20 mins on the first letter/or first essay ; as this fetches you less points.
4. Before you start writing : make few points about your second essay like points which should be incorporated in the essay : The reason being, suppose you run out of time, you have the points handy to guide your train of thoughts. Secondly, the short points, which you think of, when your mind is fresh would be better that the ones you try to weave, when racing against time.
5. Try to write fast and proof read later. That is when you will find mistakes, especially with usage of prepositions, tenses, genders, etc...

Essentials
1. Pen-Pencil 0.7MM
2. Pen-pencil because, most of us are used to computers, where ‘UNDO' and ‘Backspace' has become an inevitable requirement.
3. Don't use PEN anywhere, as it doesn't allow correction to look very neat.
4. Have two inch long eraser handy always : it is easy to use rather than using a small worn out eraser.
5. Do carry a Pencil and a sharpener, it might come in handy.



Speaking
1. Just don't prepare for speaking
2. When asked to speak on a topic : the trick is : never recount a real experience : The reason are thus:
a. As you try to recount your experience, you would be forced to narrate incident after incident in the chorological order of event occurrence.
b. As you recount , 2 mins will fly, and you wouldn't have an opportunity to have an introduction, body and conclusion.
c. Always, try to make a story : for in a story : anything can happen and you don't have to bother about recollecting events and losing precious time.
3. You don't necessarily have to reveal everything as per the record, this is not an interview : For example : Where do you live? Do like your house? What do you like about your house? Would other people like your area? Why would they like your area? Try to talk about a nice place : this needn't be the place you live. What they are looking for is how you describe a place, using adjectives and simple vocabulary. You may use your current place of stay , but the problem is this : It could have its own disadvantages : which is not something you want to relate to, as it curtails the conversation to a lot of negativities.
4. My suggestion : BE CREATIVE : AND LEARN THE ART OF MAKING STORIES AT THE DROP OF A HAT.



Cheers!!!

MATLAL

 

[asad100101]

MATLAL, Thanks for your useful tips. I will definitely try out your reading tips during my practice tests and see if I can master them.

Overall, a useful post for IELTS takers.

 

[hasnaat]

Great Work Mat

 

[matlal]

Thank You !! Hasnaat

 

[maq0r]

I took the IELTS in November 2008

My bands where:

L: 6.5
R: 6
Writing: 7.5
Speaking: 9.

I have a perfect american/english accent since I grew up watching american TV (I'm in South America), however I didn't know WHAT to expect on the rest of the test hence my scores

I really, really need the 16 points, ergo, I need to get 7.5 on L and 6.5 on reading.

I've done a lot of practice tests, listening is TOUGH, I mean, needing 7.5 you only get the chance of getting only FOUR wrongs out of 40 and that is hard.

Regarding reading, well, I have my ups and downs. In one test I scored a perfect 9, in the next one I scored 5, the next 8.5 and the other one 5.5, so I might as well do a screw up test before the real one so I can get a good score!

I only have this chance on July 31st, because my AOR Deadline is September the 12th and the next available test is on September the 25th.

And I'm on NOC 4131 which was taken off the list, so I can't reapply Sad

 

[Olabisi2010]

Hi Azad,

Your efforts put forth to learn English from scratch is commendable. Your post does portray the standard you have obtained.

I think you wouldn't need to prepare much for the coming exam.

Here are few tips :

Reading
1. Browse the questions prior to reading the passage.
2. Do the last essay first, i.e. the longest one.
3. Don't read word for word : Just make mental maps, of where you would be able to find information
4. After you have finished scanning the passage : attempt the questions :
5. Write the answers on your question paper.
6. Don't waste too much time on one question, if you can't find an answer : move on and come to it later.
7. Once you finish with the longest passage : attempt the next one : Approach the reading task – BACK TO FRONT.
8. The mistake most do, is that they attempt the first passage which is very easy : In an effort to be perfect, you double check and triple check your answers and end up losing time : Thus, you will have very less time for the last passage.
9. Give yourself about 10-15 mins to transfer the answers from your question paper to your answer sheet
10. Use this time to check your answers and look for answers of difficult questions.

Listening
1. There is always high probability of making mistakes and getting lost .
2. If you feel you have lost the answer to one question skip it and move on to the next : just mark the incomplete Q, so you can make guess later, based on the context of the listening passage
3. Read ahead, so to say, know what the next question is : so if you get lost finding the answer for one question, you would not miss the other questions.
Writing
1. Use a PEN-PENCIL (0.7MM). Don't use pencil : as the letters would look thicker and clutter your page : constant sharpening would make you lose time.
2. Avoid using pen, as it doesn't allow corrections.
3. Don't spend more than 20 mins on the first letter/or first essay ; as this fetches you less points.
4. Before you start writing : make few points about your second essay like points which should be incorporated in the essay : The reason being, suppose you run out of time, you have the points handy to guide your train of thoughts. Secondly, the short points, which you think of, when your mind is fresh would be better that the ones you try to weave, when racing against time.
5. Try to write fast and proof read later. That is when you will find mistakes, especially with usage of prepositions, tenses, genders, etc...

Essentials
1. Pen-Pencil 0.7MM
2. Pen-pencil because, most of us are used to computers, where ‘UNDO' and ‘Backspace' has become an inevitable requirement.
3. Don't use PEN anywhere, as it doesn't allow correction to look very neat.
4. Have two inch long eraser handy always : it is easy to use rather than using a small worn out eraser.
5. Do carry a Pencil and a sharpener, it might come in handy.



Speaking
1. Just don't prepare for speaking
2. When asked to speak on a topic : the trick is : never recount a real experience : The reason are thus:
a. As you try to recount your experience, you would be forced to narrate incident after incident in the chorological order of event occurrence.
b. As you recount , 2 mins will fly, and you wouldn't have an opportunity to have an introduction, body and conclusion.
c. Always, try to make a story : for in a story : anything can happen and you don't have to bother about recollecting events and losing precious time.
3. You don't necessarily have to reveal everything as per the record, this is not an interview : For example : Where do you live? Do like your house? What do you like about your house? Would other people like your area? Why would they like your area? Try to talk about a nice place : this needn't be the place you live. What they are looking for is how you describe a place, using adjectives and simple vocabulary. You may use your current place of stay , but the problem is this : It could have its own disadvantages : which is not something you want to relate to, as it curtails the conversation to a lot of negativities.
4. My suggestion : BE CREATIVE : AND LEARN THE ART OF MAKING STORIES AT THE DROP OF A HAT.



Cheers!!!

MATLAL

Hi Matlal

Great work.

A very good piece for some

 

[zakout76]

hi
thank you very u suggest
just for writing i,m littele confuse , i have to use pen or pencil?

any why what is the benefit?
pls advice
thanks

 

[smaaar]

Hi Azad,

Your efforts put forth to learn English from scratch is commendable. Your post does portray the standard you have obtained.

I think you wouldn't need to prepare much for the coming exam.

Here are few tips :

Reading
1. Browse the questions prior to reading the passage.
2. Do the last essay first, i.e. the longest one.
3. Don't read word for word : Just make mental maps, of where you would be able to find information
4. After you have finished scanning the passage : attempt the questions :
5. Write the answers on your question paper.
6. Don't waste too much time on one question, if you can't find an answer : move on and come to it later.
7. Once you finish with the longest passage : attempt the next one : Approach the reading task – BACK TO FRONT.
8. The mistake most do, is that they attempt the first passage which is very easy : In an effort to be perfect, you double check and triple check your answers and end up losing time : Thus, you will have very less time for the last passage.
9. Give yourself about 10-15 mins to transfer the answers from your question paper to your answer sheet
10. Use this time to check your answers and look for answers of difficult questions.

Listening
1. There is always high probability of making mistakes and getting lost .
2. If you feel you have lost the answer to one question skip it and move on to the next : just mark the incomplete Q, so you can make guess later, based on the context of the listening passage
3. Read ahead, so to say, know what the next question is : so if you get lost finding the answer for one question, you would not miss the other questions.
Writing
1. Use a PEN-PENCIL (0.7MM). Don't use pencil : as the letters would look thicker and clutter your page : constant sharpening would make you lose time.
2. Avoid using pen, as it doesn't allow corrections.
3. Don't spend more than 20 mins on the first letter/or first essay ; as this fetches you less points.
4. Before you start writing : make few points about your second essay like points which should be incorporated in the essay : The reason being, suppose you run out of time, you have the points handy to guide your train of thoughts. Secondly, the short points, which you think of, when your mind is fresh would be better that the ones you try to weave, when racing against time.
5. Try to write fast and proof read later. That is when you will find mistakes, especially with usage of prepositions, tenses, genders, etc...

Essentials
1. Pen-Pencil 0.7MM
2. Pen-pencil because, most of us are used to computers, where ‘UNDO' and ‘Backspace' has become an inevitable requirement.
3. Don't use PEN anywhere, as it doesn't allow correction to look very neat.
4. Have two inch long eraser handy always : it is easy to use rather than using a small worn out eraser.
5. Do carry a Pencil and a sharpener, it might come in handy.



Speaking
1. Just don't prepare for speaking
2. When asked to speak on a topic : the trick is : never recount a real experience : The reason are thus:
a. As you try to recount your experience, you would be forced to narrate incident after incident in the chorological order of event occurrence.
b. As you recount , 2 mins will fly, and you wouldn't have an opportunity to have an introduction, body and conclusion.
c. Always, try to make a story : for in a story : anything can happen and you don't have to bother about recollecting events and losing precious time.
3. You don't necessarily have to reveal everything as per the record, this is not an interview : For example : Where do you live? Do like your house? What do you like about your house? Would other people like your area? Why would they like your area? Try to talk about a nice place : this needn't be the place you live. What they are looking for is how you describe a place, using adjectives and simple vocabulary. You may use your current place of stay , but the problem is this : It could have its own disadvantages : which is not something you want to relate to, as it curtails the conversation to a lot of negativities.
4. My suggestion : BE CREATIVE : AND LEARN THE ART OF MAKING STORIES AT THE DROP OF A HAT.



Cheers!!!

MATLAL

 

[matlal]

Hi All,

All the best !! to all taking the test on July 17,2010.

Remember :

1. Don't get tensed.
2. Take deep breaths if you start feeling nervous .
3. Keep a water bottle or glass of water handy, always.
4. During the listening test, don't look away from the questions. Dont be bothered about people walking in late or examiners talking or assisting others.
5. Adjust the volume of your head-set and don't touch it after the test starts. Some head-phones don't work for a second or two, if you try to change the volume or make adjustments, during the test. It could be a fault, however, until the issue happens again, you won't get an opporutinity to convince your examiners.
6. For the reading test, don't try to be over perfect and try to memorize portions. There is no marks for memorizing - you need to set aside enough time to search for the answers.
7. Writting : Be creative and dont forget to make clear paragraphs, pay attention to punctuation and dont forget to proof-read.
[REMEMBER] - Your mind would be working much faster than your hands can write. There is a high probability, that you miss out, to write few words, but in your mind the sentences are gramatically correct.

8. Speaking - Don't get tensed. This is not a job interview. A test for sure, but try to speak, like you would talk to a friend. No one is checking if what is being said is true, they are only checking for grammar, flow of ideas and clear speech. Don't mistake the speaking test for the Canadian Embassy Interview -it is not related. So chill and enjoy the 15mins, and give it your best shot


All the best, again,

Matlal

 

[asad100101]

Matlal, Reading your last -minute tips have improved my confidence two-folds.

Last query:
Can we underline words/dates/names (key info) with a color pen on our question paper esp for reading section?

 

[matlal]

Yes, you can.

You can do write,mark or underline anything on the question paper, but note, don't lose time in doing so.
Though, you would write your name and candidate number on the question paper, the answers, you fail to transfer from question paper to the answer sheet, wont be counted or evaluated.

All the best !!

-Matlal