Acing The IELTS

The new IELTS exam allows you to go backwards and forwards through the test. Because time is a factor, if you get stuck, make a note of the question and move on. When you’ve finished the easy IELTS questions, you’ll have more time to spend on the tough ones.

2. Use a process of elimination

This is an absolute must on any IELTS multiple choice question. There will always be one or two questions that are outrageously wrong. Knock them out quick and your chances of guessing the right IELTS answer doubles.

3. Identify similar answers

Another way to choose right IELTS answer choices is to pick out any answers that look the same. Often on the IELTS exam, two answers will be extreme, one will look right and one will be right.

The one that looks right has been put there deliberately to confuse you.

The examiners are hoping that as you rush through the IELTS exam, you won’t notice that there’s a better answer right next to it and pick the wrong choice. That’s mean, but it actually does you a favor. When two IELTS answer choices look similar, one of them is likely to be right.

4. Use previous IELTS questions

One of the great things about long exams like the IELTS is that the answer to one question can often be found in another part of the exam. It’s going to be almost impossible for the examiners not to use a point that they’ve tested on another IELTS exam. IELTS questions could use words you’re not sure how to spell, grammar that you’re confident about could appear in the text. If you’re scratching your head over a IELTS test question, move on and keep an eye out for it later. There's a good chance that they’ll give the game away in a different question.

5. Use words that you know well on the IELTS-- and a few big words to impress

Learning a language well takes time and practice. The first time you use a new phrase, you’ll probably get it wrong. The second time, it will sound strange. Only after you’ve used it a few times will it feel comfortable and sound right. Build up your treasury of familiar phrases for your IELTS-- and learn a few new difficult ones to make it sound as though your English is even better than it is.

Those are just five simple tactics you can use to ace the IELTS test. There are dozens of others and you’ll need them all to get yourself a place at a foreign school. To learn all the tactics you need, and to make sure that your IELTS test preparation is right on track, check out this IELTS iBT Study Guide now and start your successful future.