Imagine sitting for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. As you answer every question, you immediately realise the need to cover up the other sections, that too within the 5 minutes of remaining time.
What do you think can make it possible to complete the entire section within a short time? Nothing. The key is to manage your time right from preparing for any of the IELTS General Training, Academic, or Life Skills exam model. And this starts with adapting to the time-limited specific section rather than a general exam time management.
In this blog, you will discover some handy tips to maximise your performance in the IELTS exam within the limited time. Each of the tips are backed by the mentors of IELTS coaching in Abu Dhabi. So, keep reading the blog till the end.
IELTS Exam Overview
There are four separate sections in the IELTS test: Speaking (11–14 minutes), Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), and Writing (60 minutes). Each of these areas requires you to attempt every question within the time limit.
As a first-time test taker, managing time when listening or writing is a challenge. You might find it hard to understand a different accent or write with more clarity.
Similarly, the speaking section can be pretty difficult to attempt, owing to the need for quick planning and framing your thoughts in mind.
Time Management Tips for Specific IELTS Sections
The only way to pass through the time constraints in each of the IELTS sections is to focus on time-based preparation strategy. Here are some tips from IELTS coaching in Abu Dhabi to help you get started.
1. Listening Test
IELTS 30-minute listening section contains 7-8 minutes of 4 single-replay audio recordings. During this time, your strategy must be to understand the context clearly and take notes while listening for a successful attempt.
Below are a few tips to ace the time-limited listening section.
- Become familiar with the type of questions and predict answers without listening.
- Work on understanding the different accents so that nothing feels or sounds unfamiliar.
- Practice writing abbreviations, numbers, and arrows for a quick note.
- Keep an eye on the next question while listening to a recording to avoid falling behind.
- Practice on scanning spelling errors or singular-plural form to ensure concise answers.
2. Reading Test
During the 60-minute IELTS Reading section, you will be assessed on your understanding of written texts and responding to each question. You can expect 3 sections of social, academic, and general interest paragraphs and a range of questions to answer.
Here are a few tips from experts of the IELTS coaching in Abu Dhabi to follow through.
- Master the techniques of skimming headlines and scanning the facts through every passage. Skimming is useful for questions requiring matching the headlines while scanning is helpful for finding accurate details.
- Make the most use of your time. First, answer the easiest questions within less time and spend extra minutes on academic or general interest ones.
- Allocate the last 3-4 minutes to check over the answers for spelling, plural-singular tenses, and attempt any missed questions.
3. Writing Test
IELTS 60-minute writing section exam requires you to write effectively and coherently within a set time. You must focus on fundamentals, develop writing mastery, practice in-depth essay writing, and get better with editing.
Here are a few tips from mentors of IELTS coaching in Abu Dhabi to prepare for the writing section, focusing on 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.
- Set out the first week on reading the high-scoring essay, creating outline, noting gaps, and working on your vocabulary skills.
- Another week must involve practicing skimming and structuring your responses. You must focus on writing under strict timings.
- Focus on in-depth essay writing which involves brainstorming ideas, writing thesis, editing, and recording your feedback.
- Maintain a balance of writing with editing. Pay attention to writing complete sentences, logical reasoning, and eliminating repetitions.
- Ensure grammatically correct, clear, and coherent writing at every stage of your writing preparation.
4. Speaking Test
Under the Speaking section of the IELTS exam, your aim must be to structure ideas, think about how long you speak, and how smoothly you fill the silences.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing for the IELTS speaking section.
- Structure your responses for interview and discussion-based questions. For both of these types, it is best to think about the idea, explanation, and example to answer the question.
- To prepare for the cue-card, prepare an outline containing the intro, describe the setting, key events or details, and personal outcome within the 1-minute preparation time. Speak for 25 seconds on each of the parts to complete the 2-minute speaking section diligently.
- Enroll in an IELTS coaching in Abu Dhabi for advanced speaking skills.
- Try to respond to the examiner’s questions succinctly and clearly.
- Fill in the thinking time with buffer statements like “that’s interesting to know” or “To be honest”.
- Practice speaking slowly on important points and increase your speed when providing examples. This helps in articulating concepts in a logical order without racing any point.
Final Words
We hope you found this blog useful. As you see, developing your time management skills in each of the four IELTS sections is easy and possible. When you follow the above tips, you increase your chances of attaining the successful IELTS score. Your confidence and ability to perform well on the IELTS test will improve with consistent practice and time-management approaches.
Need helpful resources to get started with learning time management for the IELTS exam? English Wise AE is the reputed coaching institute offering courses on PTE, NAATI CCL, and IELTS exams. Enroll into an efficient IELTS coaching in Abu Dhabi program to get access to top-class study materials too.
