Tips and Advice for the IELTS test Day

Tips and Advices for the IELTS test Day

The IELTS exam is at your door! Are you ready to take it? We want you to score high on your IELTS test, so we have put together some tips and advice for the IELTS test day. Follow our IELTS test day tips to make sure everything goes as satisfactorily as possible. Here are some section-wise guidelines to help you score well in your IELTS exam:

IELTS Listening Tips

You will be given enough time to read the questions before your audio starts. Also, take note that each recording will be played only once.  Follow the below tips for the listening section of IELTS:

  • Check if your headphones are working, if not, Let the staff know straight away.
  • Utilize the time allotted to prepare the questions. Read through them before the recording starts.
  • Listen to the recording attentively and focus more on what is the answer than on understanding each point. Remember that the recording is played only once.
  • Take notes as you listen to the recording. A few keywords could help you fill in the blanks during your checking time in the end. 
  • When the listening part completes, you will have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Do not write wrong answers in a speedy moment. 
  • Be aware of the word limit. Write your answers within the given word limit.
  • Revise and proofread the answers for spelling and grammar errors.
  • Be mindful of your grammar and spelling.
  • Try to answer all questions, as there is no negative marking for the incorrect answers.

IELTS Reading Tips

Candidates will have only one hour to complete 40 questions and write their answers on the answer sheet in the reading module of IELTS. They are advised to follow the below guidelines on the test day: 

  • Go through every detail of the figures, graphs, or images in the question paper to be accurate while answering.
  • Don’t spend too much of your time on one question or passage, keep an eye on the time you have left. Move on to the next question, you can always come back later to finish this.
  • Don’t waste time writing on the question paper. You will not be given any extra time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
  • Understand the questions carefully. Keep your mind and eyes attentively on finding answers from the passage.
  • Be precise, grammatically correct, and to the point. 
  • Use plural or singular forms of words correctly.
  • Be aware of the word limit.
  • Answer all the questions as there will not be any penalty for incorrect answers. So give it a try for unsure answers.
  • Check all of your answers before submitting them.

IELTS Writing Tips

Few candidates in the IELTS spend a lot of time writing top-notch essays. To achieve a high score, they fill their essays with uncommon vocabulary, overuse complicated grammar, or write too many words. Here are the tips they need to follow on the test day for the writing section of IELTS

  • Think wisely about each task and take notes if that helps you.
  • Spend a few seconds to plan your time management for answering before you write them. Try to spend around 20 minutes on Task 1 and about 40 minutes on Task 2. This will help you: Time management of 2 hours and 445 minutes in the IELTS.
  • Underline or highlight keywords in the tasks to ensure you are aware of what you need to do.
  • Use a clear paragraph structure, but one idea in each paragraph. 
  • Write more than 150 words for task 1 of the writing section and more than 250 words for task 2 of the writing section.
  • Avoid repetition of ideas, phrases, and words.
  • Write precise, relevant answers. Avoid writing long paragraphs and sentences.
  • Focus on your grammar, punctuation, and spelling. If you make mistakes, you will lose marks.
  • Use an active voice. Avoid writing in the passive voice.
  • Do not submit the answers without a thorough revision and proofreading.

IELTS Speaking Tips

Speak as naturally as possible, being calm and relaxed. Try to stay confident and enjoy using your English speaking skills. Here are the tips for the test day:

  • Speak clearly (slow and fluently).
  • Listen to the questions asked attentively, and answer directly.
  • If you want to add more information to the answers, make sure they are relevant.
  • You can also ask the examiner to repeat the question if you are unable to understand it.
  • Don’t take long pauses.
  • Put the right vocabulary and be specific with the tenses.

Quick IELTS Tips for the test day

  • Ensure that you carry your relevant ID proofs. Carry the same identification document as used at the time of the test application.
  • Double-check test location, date, and time. Keep enough travel time to avoid getting late.
  • Candidates are not allowed to bring watches, there will be a wall clock in the examination room. So do not bring any electric items with you.
  • For paper-based IELTS tests, you will be allowed to bring pens, pencils, and erases. For the computer-based IELTS tests, the exam center will provide you with a pencil and paper.
  • Be mindful when the supervisor is giving instructions, raise your hands and ask again if you have any queries.
  • Do not try to copy answers from any other student’s answers.
  • You should leave your personal things outside the examination hall.
  • Send a message to your brain to calm down and relax during the test. Do not miss this: Common Fears about the IELTS you must get rid of

Follow our test day tips and advice to make sure everything goes easily so that you can achieve the IELTS score you need. It is also essential that you maintain your proficiency in delivering maximum efficiency.

Required IELTS Scores for Universities in Europe for International Students

IELTS:

IELTS is International English Language Testing System taken by international students and immigrants to prove their English Language Proficiency for admission or immigration. Universities in Europe that teach in English have some set requirements for the students regarding the IELTS scores. To understand the programs and assignments, you are required to have a level of English Language Proficiency, which can be proved by IELTS scores. Here we are talking about Universities in Europe that teach in English and their IELTS requirements.

Universities in Europe that Teach in English and IELTS requirements, with lowest to highest requirements:

Universities in EuropeIELTS requirementsCountry
Ca Foscari University of Venice5Italy
Holland International Study Centre (ISC)5Netherlands
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)5Germany
University of Essex5United Kingdom
University of Luxembourg5Luxembourg
Budapest Metropolitan University5.5Hungary
ESIEE Paris5.5France
Teesside University5.5United Kingdom
University of Italian Switzerland5.5Switzerland
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University5.5Lithuania
Coventry University6United Kingdom
International Business School6Hungary
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore6Italy
University of Dundee6United Kingdom
Wageningen University and Research6Netherlands
King’s College London6.5United Kingdom
Central European University6.5Hungary
City, University of London6.5United Kingdom
Durham University6.5United Kingdom
John Cabot University6.5Italy
Utrecht University6.5Netherlands
University of Manchester6 to 7United Kingdom
University of Oxford6.5 to 7.0United Kingdom
Imperial College London6.5 to 7.0United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh6.5 to 7.0United Kingdom
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology7Switzerland
EPFL – Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne7Switzerland
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)7United Kingdom
KU Leuven7Belgium
Radboud University7Netherlands
University of Jyväskylä7Finland
University of Leeds7United Kingdom
Vrije University Amsterdam7Netherlands
UCL (University College London)6.5 to 7.5United Kingdom
University of Cambridge7.5United Kingdom

IELTS and CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference):

Common European Framework of Reference is a guideline to learn a language, across all of Europe. The CEFR has six levels of understanding a language, with A1 being the lowest (beginner) and the highest being the C2 (Proficient User of a language). The scale is used for multiple languages across Europe, and while checking for admission requirements for a course in Universities in Europe that teach in English, you might come across the English Language requirement in CEFR form.

The good news is, your IELTS scores can be converted into CEFR guidelines, and here is the conversion of IELTS scores to the required CEFR level of language. For example, if a course required you to have a B2 level of English, the IELTS scores of 5.5 to 6.5 would be sufficient.

Required CEFR Level Sufficient IELTS Score
C2 8.0-9.0
C1 7.0-7.5
B2 5.5-6.5
B1 4.5-5.0
A2 3.5-4.0
A1 Below 3.5

Keep in mind that the requirements noted here are general requirements, and they will change with courses and Universities. As we have mentioned above, sometimes CEFR is mentioned for language requirements, and you can convert your IELTS scores for the admission requirements.