ielts in just 6days!! tips?

misspowers · Jul 5, 2008

Just be yourself...don't try to memorize a piece or pretend to be somebody impressive.

Actually during my review I got low scores in reading and listening. I think I'm too distracted. Lo and behold I got the high scores in this two subtests (I got 8 for listening and 8.5 for reading)

Focus!!!! For listening, clear your mind of negative ideas. If you have trouble at home leave them behind first.

For reading, you don't have to read everything. Read the questions 1st then practice skimming and scanning. Be aware of your time, REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT GIVEN EXTRA TIME TO TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS. Read magazines, feel good books to help you with vocabulary.

For writing, read magazines, if you encounter unfamiliar words, look it up in the dictionary. Watch news, keep yourself abreast with what is the latest. By doing so, you widen your knowledge and thus you can easily expound on any topic.

For speaking, JUST BE YOURSELF. Be courteous, do not use phrases such as "Come again." It is ok to ask the examiner to repeat the question if you failed to hear them.

Lastly, stay away from negative people. Don't listen to horrible and gloomy stories of failures in IELTS. This will easily drain your energy and might affect your confidence.

" Affirmative prayers release powers by which positive results are accomplished" Believe that you will get your target bandscore. Stay positive and pray alot. Imbibe the spirit of gladness and happiness. Smile!!!!

jennygump · Jul 5, 2008

1) Familiarize yourself with the exam structure: i.e. length of time, type of questions asked etc.

2) Think in English throughout the day especially two days before the exam. Avoid Pinoy(tagalog) tv/movies if you can.

3) Visit the testing center/hotel so you know exactly where to go on test day. Check parking if you will be bringing a car.

4) Bring a sweater/thick jacket on exam day just in case it gets too cold.

5) Make sure you get enough sleep.

6 days before: take the entire 4 tests. Just like the actual exam: same sched, length of time,etc. No breaks. Know where you are weak or not confident.

5 to 3 days before:

I would focus mainly on my weak areas. If you are doing well with listening then do reading. Check your answers and learn from your mistakes. Don't memorize. Understand why you got the answer wrong. Time yourself when you write. Understand the question being asked before you write. IMO your first goal is to answer the question being asked. Then add arguments to defend your answer. IMO avoid flowery words/adjectives if not needed - you'll only sound like an amateurish high school student. Begin with a bang and end with a twist.

2 days before:

Need to rest more and build energy for the exam. Just reinforce what you already know. e.g. Writing: topic sentence, adding arguments to defend my position, conclusion.

1 day before:

Relax. Read a little - only to reinforce what you already know. Watch an English movie. No tagalog movies. Prepare all that you will need for the next day: passport, ballpen, pencil, clothes to wear, sweater. Pray and Sleep.

uh_huh? · Jul 6, 2008

hey posh, i can email you stuff for your last minute review i have tons of materials... pm me?

lil_ms_nurse · Jul 7, 2008

hi ill be taking the ielts exam on saturday. i have not undergone any guided review at all. im not even familiar with the exam structure. but i've been a call center agent for almost two years and was exposed to different english accents from british to irish, america, australian - anything you can think of.. im also quite confident in speaking and writing in english. is there anything special that i need to do?

eueu · Jul 7, 2008

hi misspowers I am also plannint to take ielts. what review center did you go to?

misspowers · Jul 8, 2008

I do not want to sound harsh, but I think it is not enough that you are confident in speaking and that you are familiar with different accents. IELTS has other components such are reading and writing. Ofcourse, indeniably, your being a call center agent is an advantage but I strongly suggest that you grab a review material and acquaint yourself with the exam. This is time pressured and for the listening part, you will only hear the recording once. I have encountered threads here wherein they did well in speaking and listening but failed to get the target bandscore in other components. You need to take the whole exam again even if you got impressive scores in speaking. Again, there are 4 components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Even if you have the skill in all four, you have to practice to get your target bandscore.

eueu · Jul 8, 2008

hello again misspowers.. thanks again for all the info i guess you have learned a lot from all you have been through. I will be attending the orientation tomorrow. well, about ielts . I want to ask you the 1st step in applying. on what website can i get all the details..etc..thanks

posh1104 · Jul 8, 2008

thanks to all who replied..

im just relaxing and finishing practices, difficult ones..

with ielts, the most important think is is to learn to focus and avoid distractions (during the test), that would be really helpful for the listening and reading..

practice is very important!

thanks to every one!!!

uh_huh? · Jul 8, 2008

hi posh.. i got your pm.

my pm isnt working i can receive but i cant send any messages.. for those who need ielts materials just pm me your email add ill just email you the stuff :) hope it helps :)

can sumone help me activate my pms?

tnx

suzanne4, RN · Jul 9, 2008

hi posh.. i got your pm.
my pm isnt working i can receive but i cant send any messages.. for those who need ielts materials just pm me your email add ill just email you the stuff :) hope it helps :)
can sumone help me activate my pms?
tnx

Please read the announcement about this. You are unable to send a pm until you have 15 posts and you only have 9 at this count. So there is not anything anyone can do, unless you wish to sign for premium membership at this time.

eueu · Jul 9, 2008

suzanne said you have to have 15 posts before yiu can send PM.that's a new rule.