IELTS D-Day Tips

Sometimes, candidates are confident that they can get a good band score in the exam because they give their all to IELTS exam preparation. But still, they are unable to get a good band score. This could be because they feel lost on the day of the test.

They fail to focus on the minute things that are necessary to get a good score in the IELTS Exam. Check out our IELTS test D-day tips section to help you crack the exam and attain your desired score.

IELTS Test Tips and Advice on the Day

It is essential to know the D-Day tips for the IELTS Exam so that you can gain confidence and remove anxiety to perform better in the exam. Below, we have provided some important tips on the day of the IELTS Test. Candidates who are going to appear in General or Academic IELTS must know these tips for a good band score.

Let’s start reading the tips:

IELTS Exam D-Day Tips

Below, you will find some IELTS Exam tips and rules for test day.

Sleep and Eat Well - The IELTS Exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, during which you must prove your listening, writing, reading, and speaking ability. Proper eating and sleeping can help some concentrate on the exam. You need to rest and eat light food before the exam.

Clothes - You should wear decent and comfortable clothes. However, there is no mark on your dress, but if you wear comfortable clothes, then you feel better, which gives you confidence during the exam. Moreover, you can take the layer of clothing due to the air conditioning room, which you can take off if you feel hot.

Drink - You can carry a transparent water bottle into your exam hall and drink well to hydrate yourself.

Arrive Early - You must arrive at least 15 minutes before entering the exam hall. You should check how far your test centre is and try to arrive early, as you may face traffic on the road. Moreover, you can go to your test centre one day before the exam to check the direction and test centre location.

Restroom - The IELTS Exam is held without any break, so you should make sure to go to the restroom before entering the examination hall. However, you can go to the restroom during your exam by putting your hand up. The invigilator will let you go to the bathroom, but you will lose your IELTS test time and may not be able to complete your test. So, it is advisable to go to the toilet before the exam.

No Phones - You should not take your cell phone on the exam. The authority doesn’t allow mobile phones or wristwatches during exams.

Pen, Pencil, and Eraser - You must carry 2 pencils or 1 pen and eraser to take the exam, along with your ID. You are not allowed to take a dictionary or extra paper into the exam hall.

ID - Carry your original ID to appear on the test. It must be the same upload on your registration form.

Listen to Instructions – Listen or read all the instructions before the exam that you will receive after entering the exam hall and before starting the test.

Clock - To check the IELTS test time, you will find a wall watch in the exam hall. The official authority prohibited the wristwatches in the exam hall.

Disability - If you are a disabled person or have applied for an exam with a disability, then you should inform your exam centre before the test date so that they can arrange everything for you.

Focus and Be Calm - You must be confident in your exam IELTS exam preparation and focus on your aim. Use techniques to solve your paper and be calm to maintain your speed and accuracy during the exam.

Avoid Things During the IELTS Exam Hall

Below, you can check what things you should avoid during exam hall.

  • Don’t Cheat - The IELTS Exam is conducted internationally to check your English Language proficiency. So, make sure you are not cheating in the exam.
  • No Dictionary Allowed - You can’t carry an English Dictionary in the exam hall.
  • Not Allowed to Take the Test Paper at Home - Candidates are not allowed to carry their test paper or any part of the IELTS Question paper at home.
  • Don’t Continue Writing - Once the exam time is over, you should stop writing. If you continue writing after the exam time is over, your test may be invalidated.

IELTS Test Tips During Your Test

Here, we have provided the IELTS Exam Day tips for all 4 sections – reading, listening, speaking, and writing. You can check the tips for the IELTS exam below.

IELTS Listening Tips

Check the IELTS Listening tips on the day of the exam.

  • Verify that your headphones are in functioning order. If you are having trouble, raise your hand.
  • If the tape is played back loudly over speakers rather than headphones, ensure you can hear it.
  • Raise your hand right away if you need the volume increased, and someone will come to inquire about the issue. Justify your necessity for a louder volume.
  • Utilise the allotted IELTS test time to draft your queries. Before the recording begins, always review every question and note keywords. These keywords will assist you in monitoring the data and seeking clarification.
  • Highlight essential terms in the questions. You should work on your speed-reading comprehension and keyword recognition skills at home as part of your IELTS exam preparation. You can highlight words on the screen for the computer exam.
  • Instead of understanding everything, concentrate on listening for the answers. For every question you successfully answer, you receive one point.
  • As you listen, jot down your responses on your question paper. You enter the answers straight into the computer for the computerised test.
  • Keep track of the maximum amount of words and/or digits you can use for each response. A lot of people overlook to examine this. For instance, "driving test" is two words, whereas "15 workmen" is one word and one number.
  • After the recording concludes, you will have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the paper-based exam answer sheet and 2 minutes to complete the computer exam.
  • Make sure to proofread your work frequently because misspellings will result in an incorrect response.
  • For the paper-based test, you are advised to utilise ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in your answers to prevent handwriting issues. This is not a computer test problem.

IELTS Reading Tips

Check the IELTS Reading tips on the day of the exam.

  • Carefully read the instructions and record the number of words you can use in your responses. Every word is calculated; for instance, "workbook" is one word and "university reception hall" is 3 words.
  • Since each response is worth one point, you shouldn't focus too much on one answer when you might use the same amount of effort to locate two simpler answers.
  • It is totally up to you which question you want to solve first.
  • Pay attention to the IELTS test time. Make sure you have enough time to complete the last section.
  • The passage can be completed in any order. The questions are the same, so you can skip any and return to them later.
  • For the paper-based test, write your responses straight onto your answer sheet. No more time is available to transfer your answers later. Your responses for the computer test will be entered immediately into the system.
  • Before finding an answer, always take the time to consider the questions carefully. If you don't give the question enough thought, you'll find yourself hopping from passage to question a lot because you're confused, which will take up important time.
  • Keep an eye out for paraphrase. Look for the question's keywords and take note of the passage's paraphrases.
  • Finding the answers is your goal; understanding the entire paragraph is not. Therefore, concentrate on obtaining as many answers as you can.
  • To prevent handwriting issues, you are advised to use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in your answers to the paper exam.

IELTS Writing Tips

Check the IELTS Writing tips on the day of the exam.

  • Task 1 takes 20 minutes, and Task 2 takes 40 minutes to complete since it needs more words and has a higher mark. So, keep an eye on IELTS test time and make sure you don’t spend too much time on one task.
  • You should always write over 150 words for task 1 and over 250 words for task 2. View the lesson regarding the suggested word count here.
  • Your essay can be organised using the question paper. No more paper is provided for planning. The examiner will solely review your essay; they will not review your planning.
  • Always compose a concise outline for the first academic task. Check out the overview/conclusion issue. Make sure you address every topic mentioned in your letter for the first GT task 1.
  • For task 2, always write your conclusion. Never overlook it. If you have the final 3 minutes left, compose your conclusion.
  • For both assignments, always arrange your work into body paragraphs.
  • Verify your spelling. Using either American or British spelling is acceptable, but not both at once.
  • Raise your hand to obtain additional paper if you run out.
  • Do not take any paper from the test room.

IELTS Speaking Tips

Check the IELTS Speaking tips on the day of the exam.

  • Before your test, practice using the English language. Practice sharing your thoughts on various topics and discussing your prior encounters.
  • This is a casual conversation or interview with an examiner. Thus, be approachable and transparent. Describe your intentions.
  • It is preferable if you are more eager to utilise English.
  • Pay attention to the query and provide a direct response. Adopt a straightforward approach. This is relevant to both Part 1 and Part 3. You will have an opportunity to prepare your response for part 2.
  • Until the examiner stops you, keep talking.
  • Don't concentrate just on vocabulary. Just 25% of your grade is based on your vocabulary.
  • Make sure that the terminology you choose is appropriate for the issue.
  • A good score cannot be attained by using idioms. The majority of candidates abuse overused or out-of-date idioms.
  • You're free to wear whatever you choose. It's not a job interview, and your score is unaffected by what you wear. Try to feel at ease.
  • In your exam, use a variety of grammatical tenses.
  • You may pronounce English with either an American or British accent. Also acceptable is a blended accent. Ensuring your terms are simple to grasp is crucial.
  • If you require a repetition of the question, ask the examiner.
  • Don't worry if the examiner interrupts you. It is a typical speaking exam question. Just pay attention to the following query.
  • You will be given a pen and paper by the examiner so that you can prepare for part 2. The examiner will mark your thoughts; your plans will not be reviewed. While looking at your notes and the cue card, which is acceptable during your presentation, attempt to also look the person in the eye.

IELTS Exam Tips - One Week Before the Exam

Check the tips that you must follow one week before the exam

  • You should solve IELTS Practice papers one week before the exam to understand the paper.
  • Read common topics for IELTS Speaking and Writing Sections so you can know how to answer.
  • You should book 2 tests using a high-score certificate.

FAQs

Ans. To begin studying for IELTS, familiarise yourself with the test format and work through sample papers. Create a study schedule emphasising speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

Ans. Effective time management is essential for IELTS. Practice timed activities to ensure you can finish each part in the allotted time. During practice sessions, set out certain time intervals for every question and adhere to them.

Ans. Yes, it may be advantageous to guess strategically. There are no consequences for wrong replies.

Ans. Take part in activities that include viewing English-language TV shows or movies, reading newspapers, and conversing with native speakers. Consider enrolling for language classes or working with a tutor for further individualised advice.

Ans. Remain calm and skim the material. Steer clears of intensive exercises. Make sure you possess the required paperwork and the instructions for the testing facility.

Ans. Speaking naturally is just as vital as speaking clearly and pronouncing words correctly. Avoid speaking incoherently, too quickly, or too slowly, as these might impair your fluency.

Ans. To relieve tension, engage in relaxation exercises like deep breathing or visualising. Get to the testing location early to prevent hurrying, and maintain a pleasant attitude by concentrating on your studies.

Ans. Examine the texts quickly to gain a general understanding before answering the questions. Look for keywords while concentrating on comprehending each paragraph's core topic.

Ans. To improve your writing, try writing reports, letters, and essays on a variety of subjects. Be mindful of your terminology, grammar, and coherence. Ask classmates or teachers for their opinions to find areas that need work.

Ans. Regularly practice speaking English with loved ones, friends, or language partners. Take a voice recording of yourself and listen for places where you may get better.