The document provides tips and strategies for taking the IELTS test. It recommends managing time effectively by keeping pace and not spending too much time on difficult questions. It also suggests consistent preparation through practice tests, videos, and speaking opportunities. For reading, it advises skimming and scanning passages and using a process of elimination to filter answer choices. For writing, it recommends brainstorming ideas and organizing them clearly while cutting out cliches and redundancy. For listening, it says to focus on the main idea and interpret conversations by taking notes rather than relying on memory. Finally, it suggests preparing for all possible speaking questions and creating a template to organize points on any subject.

1. TIPS & TRICKS FOR TAKING THE IELTS TEST
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international
standardized English language proficiency test for non-native English language
speakers. The test serves as eligibility criteria for immigration and admission to
universities in Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
Owing to its universal acceptance and demand by Indians for study abroad
purposes, it only makes sense to discuss few cardinal measures to follow
towards its preparation. The present article is intended to share in few tricks and
strategies for taking this test.
MANAGE TIME EFFECTIVELY
Success in IELTS is about accuracy with speed. While preparing for the test,
you aim should be to keep pace with the time while solving the questions. But
you should not develop an affinity with any question, just in case if any
question takes more than its reasonable time, you should leave it and move
forward to the next one. This will you will be able to attempt the maximum
possible number of questions and will increase your chances of getting a good
band score.

2. Keep in mind the distribution of question types and the time allocated for each
section. Reading and listening sections have 40 questions each with a time limit
of 60 minutes and 30 minutes respectively for each section. For writing and
speaking section time won’t be of many challenges at all, provided you are able
to put your points across in a clear and succinct manner.
CONSISTENT PREPARATION
Rome wasn’t built in a day and so is the case with IELTS. You should try
mocking sample questions, watching IELTS training videos on various topics,
and creating opportunities to speak on anything for 2-3 minutes at a stretch.
After all, this is a test that is skills-based rather than information based and
success in this test will help make the future learning easy and effective.
STRATEGIES FOR READING
Skimming and Scanning
If there’s any one section that will demand most of you in time management
skills, it is the Reading section of the test. It is a sin to go through the entire
passage. The idea is to just a rough idea of the passage by skimming and
scanning for the main ideas. Inevitably, you will have to trace back and forth to
answer the questions and match with the content of the passage. So, there’s
absolutely no need to do detailed reading of the entire passage. Remember that
IELTS is a language proficiency test and is not an aptitude test. You will be
required to match your answer with the content of the passage. It will be more
focused on content rather than context. Counter-intuitive though it may seem,
you should always develop a relaxed approach while going through the contents
of the passage. Why should it be the case?? We are explaining it in the next
strategy.
Process of Elimination
The process of elimination (POE) is the only failsafe strategy you will have to
employ while scanning through the answer choices. If you are initially tempted
to find the right answer, chances are you will inevitably fall for the trap answer
(in the form of extreme language, out of scope, recycled language, half right-
half wrong). Your aim should be to eliminate the poor answers to filter out the
most appropriate. The reading and the speaking sections take the most time in
preparation. The only way to develop proficiency in both areas is by repeated
practice.

3. STRATEGIES FOR WRITING
Scoring well in this section will depend on how well you are able to use the
conventional English language to organize your thoughts on the subjects and
support them with logic and examples. You will not be judged on vocabulary,
so just try to keep your points in simple language form with minimum
grammatical errors.
Brainstorm
Spend the initial 5-7 minutes on brainstorming ideas or pieces of information
you will mention on the subject. Remember writing two essays of roughly 150
and 250 words in 20 minutes and 40 minutes time respectively is not a
herculean task. So it is highly advisable not to rush in with the topic without
brainstorming on ideas to put across. This way you will be able to streamline
your task without digressing from the main issue. Organization of ideas is of
critical importance here.
Cut out the excess clichés
All effective writing goes through review. The final 2-3 minutes should be
devoted to this. You should try to cut out excess clichés, avoid redundant
information, passive language forms. Try to practice putting your ideas in the
least words possible. Maintain consistency in the flow of ideas. Use paragraphs
whenever there’s a change in an idea. Since there’s a word limit you will be
rated on how well you are able to write on the issue with organization, clarity,
and concision.
STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING
The listening section consists of 40 questions to be attempted in 30 minutes.
The questions are designed across various formats viz. speech by a single
speaker, dialogue, and conversation among 4 speakers. The fundamental thing
is to keep a close ear to the message.
Focus on the Main Idea
Look for words that come out in virtually every statement. Most likely those
words will be part of the main idea. Be alert for any voice changes like high
pitch or volume indicating some critical information on the subject. Adjectives
are of special concern since IELTS design many questions around the
description of objects.

4. Interpret the Critical Information
Try to interpret the conversation by putting yourself in the speaker’s shoes. This
way you will also have conceptual clarity of the conversation. Role-playing is a
very healthy practice to gain clarity in this area. Listening to debates on English
news channels can come in handy to practice this area. Moreover, use your
scratch paper to jot down key points. Don’t rely on memory. Practice taking
notes from recorded transcripts within stipulated time without repeating the
audio.
STRATEGIES FOR SPEAKING
This section will comprise of a general question about you, a monologue on a
subject, and a discussion on that very subject.
Prepare on all possible questions
You may be just asked about your introduction or you may well be asked about
your most memorable experience. The possibilities are many. Since questions
can be designed in any manner your aim should be jotted down few points on
every aspect of your life and speak on it for a few minutes regularly. Try to
avoid slangs at all cost. Keep your sentences short and to the point.
Create a Template
If you want to be a good speaker, be a master storyteller. Weave your ideas to
create a story on subjects ranging from arts, science, and religion to politics,
humanities, and technology. The more you speak the better you will be in
speaking. With constant practising, you will be able to articulate your ideas in a
unique way and start to organize your points in a specific format. You may even
try to create a template that will work to speak on any subject. The only work
left will then be of filling in the gaps with information that shall validate your
points.
Source:- https://globalopportunitiesweb.wordpress.com/2018/07/03/tips-tricks-for-taking-the-
ielts-test/