Importance of IELTS Score to Study Abroad (2024)

To achieve a good overall band score in the IELTS, it is important for candidates to obtain good scores in each of the sections too. Each section has its own criteria of assessment and therefore requires its own way of preparation and approach. Listed below are some section-wise tips that candidates should follow to ace all the sections.

Speaking Test

• Keep the answers concise.
• Students will be asked random questions on the day of the test. Hence, while preparing for the test, the candidate should focus on practicing speaking tests and enhancing their ability to speak eloquently and coherently instead of rote-learning speeches or lines.
• Clear the doubts regarding the question asking before proceeding to answer.
• The candidates are advised to speak in English in their everyday communication with peers so as to develop a better hold over the language for the speaking test.

Reading Test

• It is important to distribute time between all questions wisely. The candidates will get 60 minutes to answer 40 questions, which is one and a half minutes for each question. However, it is necessary to devote more time to long passages and less time to easier and shorter questions. Hence, a candidate must take these factors into consideration while devising and executing a sound strategy to finish the paper on time while ensuring the accuracy of answers at the same time.

Writing Test

• It is crucial to first organize one’s thoughts and strategies towards the writing tasks and then proceed than to dive into them immediately.
• Revising is equally important, and the candidates are suggested to leave some time in the end to proofread their answers.

Listening Test

• Candidates are advised to read the whole question instead of only paying attention to key points or keywords in the question.
• One must listen to the question properly instead of constantly writing.

IELTS is certainly not an easy test to crack. As we talk about the ideal IELTS scores and preparation tips to ace the exam, let’s also have a look at the general performance level of the IELTS test-takers. With the help of IELTS performance demographics of students for the year 2017 given below, one could gauge the difficulty level of the exam and conjecture on how easy/difficult it is to score above a certain mark. The following table has segregated the test-takers into different groups taking their reasons for attempting the test as the basis of distinction and then defined the percentage of people from each group scoring a specific mark.

IELTS Test Takers Performance 2017

Also, Indian IELTS takers can check the mean overall band and sectional scores obtained by Indian test-takers in the year 2017.

Kickstart Your IELTS Prep Today!

IELTS is a crucial examination for those willing to study abroad, especially in the US, UK, Canadian, Australian universities. Achieving an ideal score, that is, at least 7 as both overall band score and sectional band score in the exam is important for students to enhance their chances of getting an admit in a foreign university of their own choice. But as can be inferred from the above tables, a small but considerable percentage of people (10% to 16%) manage to score above the 6.5 band score. This implies that though scoring above 6.5 in the test is indeed a difficult task, but with consistent and systematic preparations, it is possible for one to score a high mark. Once you form a clear idea of the IELTS scoring mechanism, IELTS criteria for different universities, IELTS test patterns and the aforementioned section-wise preparation tips and tricks, it will be easier for you to maneuver through this test and achieve a reasonable score. Book your IELTS test now, mark the date of the test and start your preparations at a full-swing!