What is IELTS?
IELTS is short for International English Language Testing System and is a system put together to test the English Language proficiency of anyone who intends to work, study or move to a country where English is the native language.
How long does it take to prepare for the IELTS exam?
Preparation for the IELTS exams requires some time, especially if you are not from a country where the English language is the native language. You’ll need some time to adjust to intonations, grammar, speed, etc. Hence the reason why you may need adequate time to prepare for the exam. According to ielts.org, being able to communicate in the native language of your destination country helps with integrating you into the community and is one of the reasons why English-speaking countries require that you provide proof of English language proficiency before moving to their country.
There is no specific time frame to be prepared for IELTS as different test takers have different learning capabilities. However, studies have indicated that it can take up to six (6) weeks to move up a score band by one point. Some other studies have shown that some test-takers have been able to get prepared for the exam in just a week. It all depends on the test taker’s English language level and learning capacity. It is important to note that we do not recommend that you wait until it is a week before your exam before you begin to practice. The longer your preparation time, the less pressure you have to deal with.
What IELTS score is best?
The score you intend to achieve should determine how much preparation to put in. It is important to remember that the higher your score, the better it reflects your understanding and command of the language. Though different institutions, bodies, and workplaces will require different scores, according to the demands of their organization, you should aspire to have a high score. This IELTS Score Scale will help you decide on what scores you want to achieve.
Furthermore, you can check the IELTS scores that various institutions require from test-takers here by just typing in the name of the institution and clicking “Search IELTS Organizations”.
How to prepare for the IELTS exam
Some of the best ways to begin preparing for the IELTS exam is to
- get to know your current English proficiency level by practicing for a test.
- Practice with the assessment parameters in mind; listening, speaking, writing, and reading.
- Understand how much time you have per module
- Expose yourself to as much English language as you can
