Your Guide to IELTS: Mistakes to Avoid

The IELTS test is considered one of the most important tests that measure the various English language skills, namely speaking, writing, listening, and reading. The IELTS test is considered one of the most reliable tests in the world, and it is also considered a basic requirement for applying for immigration and scholarships in various foreign countries. In this article, we provide you with your IELTS guide about common mistakes in the IELTS test . We also talk about preparing for the IELTS in the best way that helps you get the best scores in the test.

What is the IELTS test? Who organizes it?

The IELTS test is a standardized international test that measures English language proficiency in its four skills. The IELTS test is organized and administered by the British Council, the IDP Australia organization and their branches, and the body responsible for organizing and correcting the test is the IELTS organization and the University of Cambridge in Britain.

What are the common IELTS mistakes that students make in preparing for IELTS?

Many students make mistakes that may lead to a decrease in their total score or a decrease in the score for some sections. Your IELTS guide provides you with some common mistakes in the IELTS test that you may fall into while preparing for the IELTS test:

• Starting your preparation without taking a placement test, as the placement test helps you know the point from which you should start preparing for the IELTS test. Neglecting the placement test also makes you distracted about your real level and thus the best start to preparing for the test.
• Not paying attention to correcting the writing models that are being trained on, as this leads to not being aware of the errors and points that must be taken into account when taking the test.
• Not practicing speaking and writing skills enough, as speaking and writing skills need daily practice to be fixed.
• Insufficient training on test models, which leads to insufficient knowledge of test-solving strategies.
• Not assessing the time needed to train well, IELTS training centers help you assess the time required to train for the test.
• Lack of interest in vocabulary, which leads to poor ability to find vocabulary in speaking and writing tests.
• Neglecting to learn the meanings of unknown words from the context of the conversation, as this will cause you to lose many marks in the listening and reading sections.
• Not practicing speaking enough, as the speaking test depends on the presence of different vocabulary and meanings, as well as the ability to use grammar correctly.
• Not getting a good and comprehensive assessment of all the student's skills before the test.

What is the importance of the IELTS test, and what are the uses of the IELTS certificate?

Your IELTS guide today presents to you the importance and uses of the IELTS certificate. The importance of the IELTS certificate is known around the world, and the most important uses of the IELTS certificate are the following:

• Obtaining an IELTS certificate with a certain score is a basic requirement for obtaining scholarships at many local and international universities.
• IELTS is a basic requirement for applying to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at many universities inside and outside the UAE.
• IELTS score is required for immigration applications to many foreign countries.
• Obtaining an IELTS certificate is an opportunity for career advancement in many local and international companies, and it also gives you the opportunity to obtain jobs in places that require good English.

Your Guide to IELTS, Key Points to Consider in IELTS Preparation

• Start preparing for IELTS with a placement test, as this helps you know the real level of the student from which you should start preparing.
• Pay attention to studying English grammar rules, and practice them well in writing and speaking.
• Practice writing intensively, and be sure to correct training models to identify errors and arrive at the optimal method to follow to obtain the best grade in writing skills.
• Practice solving many test models to practice solution strategies, and time management strategies.
• Collect the vocabulary learned while preparing for the test in a special notebook, and review it the night before the test.
• Interest in finding a way to assess English language skills, especially speaking and writing skills. This can be achieved by attending IELTS preparation courses.
• Practicing speaking on a daily basis helps you to have vocabulary and get used to the correct application of English grammar.
• Practice skills in identifying the meanings of unknown words from the text of the hadith.
• Ensure that you have the correct assessment of the time required to prepare for the test.
• It is important to know the type of test you want to take, whether it is a general or academic test.

Common mistakes during the IELTS test

After the IELTS preparation process is over, comes the test stage itself. You should pay attention to this stage and give it enough attention to avoid losing points. Your IELTS guide gives you some of these mistakes to avoid during the test:

• Not getting enough sleep the night before the test reduces the concentration needed for the test day.
• Do not be concerned with arriving early for the test, so you should arrive before the test time with enough time to know the test rules and organizing instructions.
• Pay attention and adhere to the time limit for each part of the test, especially in the listening part where there is a specific time for each audio clip and the time between answering and listening must be organized.
• Not paying attention to the good distribution of reading test time, as the distribution of time between the different pieces is the student’s responsibility.
• Do not try the headphones before starting the test, as changing them in the event of inefficiency may take a long time that may not be compensated.
• Not caring about knowing the exact time of the speaking test, as a different time is set for the speaking test than the rest of the test parts, and it must be known precisely and adhered to.

Your IELTS Guide: The most important points in preparing for IELTS on the day of the test

• Sleep early the night before the exam, as this helps you to be alert and to work your mind well.
• Practicing English conversation for a short period the night before the test will help you get into the mood of the test and quickly learn the vocabulary and grammar of the language.
• Quickly reviewing English grammar rules, and also reviewing the vocabulary book that was prepared, helps you quickly remember the vocabulary that was studied throughout the IELTS preparation period .
• Make sure to bring the original copies of the identification documents on the day of the test, and commit to providing a personal photo and fingerprints of the applicant on the day of the test.
• Please arrive early to the examination hall and adhere to the organizers’ instructions.
• Good organization of the test time, as some time is usually given for the reading test and the student must organize the time and use it to answer all the given passages.
• Know the exact date of the speaking test and be on time.
• Commitment to leave all personal belongings outside the examination hall, and take only the tools permitted inside the examination hall.
• Adhere to the instructions of the organizers of the examination hall, and raise your hand if you have a question or inquiry.
• Commitment to attending all parts of the test, to ensure that the result is not withheld.
• Commitment to submitting all test papers, and not taking any test papers outside the examination committee.

Preparing for IELTS requires putting in enough time and effort to get the desired score. You must also know the test score required to apply to the institution you want to apply to.

The School Academy.com offers IELTS courses , which are provided by a group of the most qualified teachers. These courses are also online via the Internet, which allows the student the opportunity to set the date freely according to the dates that suit him. The School Academy.com also partners with the British Council to apply for the IELTS test for students if they wish to do so after the end of the courses in which they were registered.