5 Things To Know Before You Study IELTS

IELTS is by far the most popular English test in the world today: every day, more and more students take a course, or the test itself, so they can make a new life for themselves in another country, another job or another university. Some students just want to do it for personal reasons.
If you are one of these people, then it might be a good idea to continue reading. This advice could help you in your decision, and in your life as an IELTS student.

1. KNOW WHY YOU ARE TAKING THE TEST
Many people have many different reasons for deciding to take an IELTS test. Some are personal, some are professional – most are academic. A good IELTS score can make a huge difference in your life. What difference will it make to your life? 

Are you hoping to study in an English-speaking university? If you’re planning to study in the UK, Australia or New Zealand, then a score of at least 6.5 in IELTS is essential 99% of the time. Most education centres in the USA ask for a TOEFL test instead. Wherever you’re hoping to go, find out what the college requires for non-native applicants; usually the answer can be found on their website.

Perhaps you’ve decided to study so you can get a visa and stay in an English-speaking country? Check with the government office: sometimes an IELTS score is necessary, sometimes (in the USA) a TOEFL is necessary. Sometimes all you need is a minimum level of English, and a certificate from a language school which states your level.

Perhaps you’re hoping to improve your performance in your job, either in your own country or in an English-speaking country. Or perhaps you’d like a promotion or even a new job where English skills are needed? If you’re improving your English for professional reasons, then IELTS is probably the best way to do this. But there are other possibilities, such as the First Certificate of English (FCE), the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or even the Business English Certificate (BEC). Look around, and find the one which is best for you.

If you do decide to take the IELTS test after all these questions, it’s still important to remember why you are taking the test. The next few weeks or months will be tough; you will get frustrated and you will work hard. All the time, you should focus on the end goal, to keep you motivated and energetic!

2. DO A PRE-TEST
IELTS is not just a test – it’s a long journey, and the first step in this journey involves looking at the road ahead.

Taking a pre-test has two benefits.

Firstly, it gives you an introduction to the test’s different skills, the subjects and the kinds of questions which it asks.
Secondly, it helps you to understand how much work you need to do. When you get your result, you can see how far you are from the result you want to get. As your studies go on, you should do regular tests, and you can compare those results with this first, pre-test, score.

The British Council have a free online IELTS pre-test here. However, it is much better to find an English-language school near you and ask them for a test. They should be able to give you one, and correct it for you too.

3. MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
This is probably the most important thing to do before beginning IELTS. Many students (and their teachers!) are frustrated by aiming for a score they just won’t be able to get.

Basically, if your level of English is Intermediate or below, you’ll need to study some more English before beginning an IELTS course.
That’s difficult to hear, but it’s much less difficult than working hard in an IELTS course, and not getting the result you wanted.

Most students aim for a score of 6.5. This is the score many universities, visas and jobs require, and it’s around the same as an upper-intermediate level of English. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Even if you are upper-intermediate, you must still learn many of the skills which are used in the IELTS test. This is why a course in IELTS is usually essential.

4. KEEP IMPROVING YOUR VOCABULARY
An IELTS teacher can help you with many skills such as writing, reading, listening and speaking. He or she may even help you to improve your grammar. However, there is one essential part of the IELTS which you must do mostly on your own: vocabulary.

IELTS is, above all, a vocabulary test. Terrible vocabulary = a low IELTS score.  (Or, great vocabulary = a high IELTS score!)

Vocabulary is infinite: there’s always something new to learn. This is why your teacher can’t completely help you. It’s your job to understand new words, use word formation to make new words, study idioms and common phrases – and, above all, remember them.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that this can be fun. There are so many ways to learn vocabulary – it’s easy to find something which you can do comfortably and easily. You could watch a movie, read the sports news, read fashion magazines, listen to pop music....the list (like the vocabulary) doesn’t end. 

[see our Facebook page, English42, for new vocabulary and quizzes every day!]

5. MAKE IELTS YOUR FULL-TIME JOB
For around 8 weeks, you will need to give as much time as possible to IELTS. 

You will need to give something up for a short time. This might be your job, or your social life, or your holiday plans. To succeed in the IELTS exam, it has to be – for a while – your Number One focus in life.

However, although hard work is essential, it’s also important to relax. IELTS can make you tired and stressed. So do the things which make you happy, and do them often. Get exercise, eat healthy, relax and, if you also study well, you should be fine!

In summary...  Ask yourself why you're studying IELTS
Test yourself and make a realistic goal for yourself.
Get ready to live, eat and breathe IELTS!
Lastly, get advice. Your first stop should be an English-language school: there you can get the advice you need. 

NEXT WEEK: Introducing IELTS: Skills and Scores

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