We talk a lot about what to do when taking the IELTS, well here are a few things NOT to do.
- Don’t memorize answers. When it comes to the speaking portion, it may seem like preparing and memorizing an answer may be the way to go, but don’t do it! Examiners can often spot prepared answers and it may cause you to lose points. Worse still, the examiner may ask you even more difficult questions in response that you may not be prepared for.
- Don’t say nothing, and don’t leave a question blank. When you’re not sure of the correct answer, or a question is confusing it can be only natural to clam up, say nothing, or just skip the question. With the speaking part of the exam if you don’t understand the question or if it is a question involving a topic you don’t know much about, it is better to tell them that you don’t understand or to just start talking and try to answer than to be silent. What they are assessing in the speaking part is how well you speak, so just keep speaking and you’ll be fine! When taking the reading portion try not to leave answers blank. Remember, that as you answer other questions you narrow down what the correct answer will be. So skip the question if you need to and come back. With the listening section attempt all of the questions, there is no penalty for wrong answers, so you might as well give it a shot!
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Even people who get a band 7 or 8 make mistakes and that’s an awesome score! Don’t let yourself become a perfectionist. In the speaking portion don’t get bogged down by trying to use perfect grammar when answering the questions. The examiners understand that you are speaking a language that is not your first and they aren’t looking for perfect grammar. Fluency and pronunciation makes up 50% of your marks. Speak at a natural pace, speak clearly and keep your pronunciations precise and you will be fine.
- Don’t be anxious. You’ve worked hard, you’ve studied, you’re as prepared as you are going to be right now. Go in and do your best. Stay calm, the calmer you are the easier it will be to recall what you need to do well. If you start to get frustrated, breathe deeply and slowly, in, then out. And say to yourself, “I’ve got this!”
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