The New IELTS Indicator Test: Is it worth it?

 #ieltsindicator #ielts #ieltstips #ieltsprep #ieltspreparation

 

The IELTS Indicator Test is a new offering available in countries where access to test centres has been limited due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The test is completely online and takes place in a timed live session that runs once a week with an offical IELTS examiner. 

 

Because it is online, you can take the entire IELTS test in the safety of your home and because it takes place under timed conditions, it is a reliable indicator of what your IELTS score would be if you were to take the face-to-face test in an approved test centre. Your IELTS overall band score and individual scores for listening, speaking, reading and writing components will be sent to you within seven days of taking the IELTS Indicator Test. You can use IELTS Indicator Test scores in university or work applications to give institutions or potential employers an idea of your English competency level. 

However, the IELTS Indicator Test is not a substitute for a face-to-face examination that has been conducted in an approved IELTS testing centre and your institution or education provider may ask you to take the offical IELTS test at a later date or when face-to-face testing becomes available in your country once more, even if you already have an IELTS Indicator Test score. 

The IELTS Indicator Test costs $149 USD so you should therefore be absolutely certain that the institution you are applying for will accept an IELTS Indicator band score or be prepared to budget for this in addition to the cost of taking a face-to-face IELTS examination. You should also ensure that your internet coverage meets the minimum requirements for the online test as you may not be entitled to a refund if you encounter a technical problem during the live test.

 

The IELTS Indicator Test is a fantastic new offering that will be much more convenient for many students studying IELTS around the world. It may save you a long journey to a test centre in your country, just remember to check with your employer or education provider whether they can accept the result of the IELTS indicator test before investing. 

 

So, is this the future of the IELTS test? Well, we don't know yet. If a lot of institutions decide to accept the results from the computer-based IELTS test and the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect face-to-face testing, it may well prove to be a suitable long-term solution. Only time will tell.

 

 

3 Things You Must Do Before Your IELTS Exam

 #ieltstest #ieltsexam #ieltstips #ielts 

You've been studying hard for months and your IELTS exam is now just a matter of weeks away. Whether you are feeling confident or apprehensive, there are some things you MUST do to make sure you are prepared and ready on your exam day. Familiarising yourself with exactly what will happen on the day of your exam can also help you feel more relaxed immediately before the test. 

1. Take care of your physical health 

Eating and sleeping well are fundamental elements of a healthy lifestyle, but they become even more important before your IELTS test. The IELTS exam is very long. The IELTS test takes 3 hours in total to complete and the exam tasks will require your full attention and ability to concentrate for an extended period. Being well rested and making sure you have eaten a substantial breakfast the morning of your exam, will give you the best possible chance of maximising your results. 

Drinking enough water in the days before your exam are very important. It is well-known that the human brain functions better when it is hydrated. Taking water into your IELTS exam is also recommended as you will be sitting for an extended period of time. You will also be allowed to take a water bottle with you into your exam as long as it is in a transparent bottle.

2. Check (and double check) your ID documents 

 

 

If you don't have your ID you won't be allowed to sit your exam. Check with your exam centre exactly what documentation or proof of ID is required, pack it with your house keys the night before and double check that you have it with you before you leave. It would be an expensive shame to have studied so hard only to be turned away at the door.

3. Go to the toilet

It takes 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete the listening, reading and writing tests and there are no breaks in between. Make sure that going to the toilet is the last thing you do before you enter the exam room!

 

Remember, you can't fail the IELTS exam and you can take the test as many times as you like. If worst comes to worst and you don't perform as well as you'd hoped, it's not the end of the world and it is valuable experience to help you get a better score next time.

 

Have you taken the IELTS exam recently? I would love to hear from you. Share your experiences, successes and tips for other IELTS students in the comments!

 

Most Common IELTS Speaking Part 1 Practice Questions

 #ielts #ieltsspeaking #ieltstips #ieltsprep #ieltspreparation 

Part 1 of the IELTS speaking test lasts for 3 or 4 minutes and the examiner will ask you 2 or 3 questions on 3 topics about your personal life from a list of 25 possible topics.   

These are the most common speaking topics for part 1 of the IELTS speaking test. They are topics which appear frequently in part 1 of the IELTS speaking test. You should prepare ideas and practise answering these questions using advanced vocabulary and a range of grammatical structures to maximise your results.

Home 

1. Where is your home?

2. Do you plan to live there in the future?

3. Do you live in a house or a flat?

4. Who do you live with?

5. What is your neighbourhood like?

6. What is your favourite room and how is it decorated?

7. Do most people live in houses or flats in your country?

8. What facilities are there near your home?

9. Are there many rooms in your home?

10. What would you change about your home?

 

Hometown 

1. Where is your hometown?

2. Do you like your hometown?

3. What is your hometown like?

4. Do you often visit your hometown?

5. What is the oldest place in your hometown?

6. What is there for a tourist to do in your hometown?

7.Has your hometown changed much since your were a child?

8. Is there good transportation in your hometown?

9. Is your hometown a good place to bring up children?

10. How could your hometown be improved?

Work 

1. What is your job?

2. Where do your work?

3. Why did you choose that job?

4. Do you get on well with your colleagues?

5. Is it a popular job in your country?

6. What responsibilites do you have at work?

7. Do you like your job?

8. Do you plan to continue this job in the future?

9. If you had the chance, would you change your job?

10. What was your first day like?

Study 

1. What do you study?

2. Where do your study?

3. Is that a populary subject in your country?

4. What are the main aspects of your subject?

5. Do you like this subject?

6. Do you plan to get a job in the same field as your subject?

7. If you had the chance, would you change your subject?