IELTS Preparation Guide: Improve Your IELTS Score

Anyone who aspires to study or work in an English-speaking country has heard of IELTS but are unsure of how to achieve the score they need. So, let’s break down IELTS preparation and the way to ace it. IELTS is one of the most recognized English proficiency exams to assess your English in different contexts; academic, real-life situations, etc. 
‍

🎯 IELTS Success: Your Fast-Track Checklist

• Know Your Version: Ensure you are preparing for the right one (Academic for university, General for migration).
• Time Management is Key: Each section has strict limits; practice with a timer to avoid leaving questions blank.
• Vocabulary Range: Don’t just be correct; be varied. Use synonyms to show the examiner your lexical flexibility.
• Follow the Rubric: Understand exactly how you are being graded (Task Response, Cohesion, Grammar) to hit the high bands.

IELTS General or IELTS Academic? 

There are two versions of IELTS: IELTS general training and IELTS Academic. 

IELTS general training is best if you are migrating to an English-speaking country for immigration, work or training purposes. IELTS Academic is if you want to study. 

IELTS preparation is most effective when done strategically and with feedback from experts in the field, like Canadian College. 

Understanding IELTS 

Both IELTS general training and IELTS Academic evaluate the same four basic language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. 

While understanding IELTS sections is useful, you need expert feedback and guided practice to improve your score. Canadian College’s IELTS courses help you train for each section strategically. 

IELTS Listening 

• Duration - 60 minutes with additional 10 minutes to pass the answer of the answer sheet. 
•  4 Recorded monologues and conversations based on real-life situations. In various accents; American, British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian. 

Tips for listening 

• Take notes – Even if the listening seems easy to understand, take notes to save key information. 
• Stay alert – The IELTS recordings only play once, make sure to pay attention. 

IELTS Reading 

Duration - 60 minutes as well with 40 questions based on three long texts. The question can be multiple choice, sentence completion, identifying true or false statements, matching, and short answers. 

• IELTS General Training – For general training the readings are generally taken from magazines, news excerpts, advertisements, books etc. 
• IELTS Academic – For IELTS Academic, the readings are focused on the Academic topics, taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. 

Tips for Reading  

• Skim through the article – Read the title, introduction and conclusion quickly to get the main idea of the reading.
• Scan the article – Instead of reading the article word by word, read the questions and look for the answers to the question specifically in the article. 

IELTS Writing 

The writing section is a total of 60 minutes. Both IELTS General training and IELTS Academic include two writing tasks. 

• IELTS General Training – For general training, the first writing task is to write a letter. The second task is to write an essay. 
• IELTS Academic – For Academic, the first task is interpreting information from graphs, charts etc. to write a summary or description based of the information. The second task is writing an essay on an academic topic. 

Tips for Writing 

• Organize your ideas – Before you start writing, make a list of ideas you want to include in the response. 
• Answer all parts of the question – Many candidates loose points because their response doesn’t include answers to all parts of the question. Make sure your answer is complete. 

IELTS Speaking 

• Speaking is the only part of the exam that is done face to face. 
• The duration is 11-15 minutes. 
• It has 3 parts. An introduction, interview and a monologue of 1-2 minutes on a given topic. 

Tips for speaking 

• Be natural and spontaneous – Don’t memorize your answer, speak naturally. 
• Record yourself – While preparing for IELTS, practice speaking by recording yourself. Best way to correct yourself. 

Your Path to Global Opportunities

The IELTS exam is a gateway to international success, but it requires more than just knowing English—it requires a strategy. By following these steps and understanding the test format, you are already ahead of the curve. However, expert feedback is what truly turns a good score into a great one. At Canadian College, our bicultural teachers specialize in IELTS success, ensuring you are ready for every challenge the test presents. Your journey toward achieving your professional and personal goals starts here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to prepare for IELTS?

It depends on what band score you need and what is your current English level. With a focused study plan with consistent practice, it takes 10-12 weeks for many learners. 

What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?

The most fundamental difference between two is that IELTS is made to measure your English level in real life situation whereas TOEFL focuses on measuring your ability to use English in academic context, like studying a degree. 

Can I take the IELTS exam if I don’t get the score I need?

Yes, you can take IELTS as many times as you need. There is no limit on number of attempts. 

How long is IELTS score valid?

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the date of test. 

References

• Cambridge University Press & Assessment. (2023). Authentic IELTS practice materials. https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/ielts/preparation/
• IELTS.org. (n.d.). Information for candidates: Understanding your band scores. https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/how-ielts-is-scored
• DP IELTS. (2024). Which IELTS test should I take? Academic or General Training. https://ielts.idp.com/colombia/about/which-test-do-i-take/academic
• IELTS.org. (n.d.). IELTS test format explained: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/test-format
• Global Exam. (2024). IELTS Score: Everything you need to know about the grading system. https://global-exam.com/blog/en/ielts-score/