How to prepare for IELTS at home without coaching - Your Guide

How to prepare for IELTS at home without coaching? Before we hold discussion on this topic, it is necessary to understand why the examination is so important. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is considered one of the primary tests of English language proficiency across the world. It is a must for those looking to get admission into higher education institutions in English-speaking countries or even those seeking job opportunities and future residency prospects in the same. 

IELTS scores are also important for visa/immigration authorities in several countries. While many people choose group coaching or other professional coaching, it is possible to prepare for the test at home.

How to Prepare for IELTS at Home Without Coaching

Here are some tips that will help you prepare for IELTS at home without any coaching: 

• Do your basic homework- The very first step is to download the official guide and read it carefully. Learn all about the reading, listening, writing, and speaking sections in detail. Start planning and preparing at least 3-6 months before your date of IELTS exam.
• Keep testing yourself- Keep alternating between practice sessions which are timed, and also give yourself optimal time for understanding texts and questions. If you have ever appeared for actual practice tests, check out examiner comments and model answers for assessing your performance. 
• Online IELTS training- You will find online IELTS training workshops, podcasts, guidance sessions, resources, and other materials in abundance. 
• Keep examination time restrictions in mind- You should have a clear understanding of the entire framework of the IELTS examination. You should keep practicing with timed tests as mentioned. Keep in mind the time limit of the examination and the time limits for every module or section. If you cannot complete your modules within their respective time limits, or you lose focus all of a sudden due to time pressures, you may lose vital marks and miss multiple questions. 
• Enhance English skills the fun way- You should not only keep practicing tests and reading through course material. Try and enhance your vocabulary more holistically. Watch English movies, go through videos and podcasts, watch English television channels, read magazines and books and enhance your vocabulary. Keep distractions away with dedicated study hours- Self-learning requires immense discipline and dedication. Ensure that you are regular with your study schedule and are attentive for the time duration without any distractions. Break down your learning into manageable chunks and take breaks to avoid burnout. 

You Can Also Read Sample Questions and Answers For The IELTS Passage: Green Wave Washes Over Mainstream Shopping.

Ace your IELTS Writing Score with our comprehensive list of expert-approved IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics.

Important Resources to Read for IELTS Exam:

How to Improve English Through Online Tools

Working on your English skills can seem a bit challenging at first but with practice, it is possible to achieve a good command of each aspect of the English language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

Along with attempting practice tests, recording yourself answering speaking questions and reading books and newspapers, and listening to online podcasts, you can take the help of some online tools such as Quizlet, Forvo, Word Reference, and Lang 8. There are several IELTS online courses too that can aid preparation.

Read More:

IELTS Requirements | reading band score | IELTS Test | IELTS Speaking | 

Section-Wise IELTS Tips for Preparation

IELTS Reading Tips- 

• You will be tested on your reading skills for aspects like information, primary thought, gist, skimming, understanding of any rational argument, and also knowledge of intentions, views and attitudes of authors. 
• Read as much as you can. Read newspapers, books, blogs, and more. Any writing in English will do since you will have to be adept in giving smaller responses, matching facts, completing diagram labels, offering full sentences and matching headings during the test. 
• Broaden the overall range of your test preparation material. You should be ready with a diverse array of answers and activities as much as possible.

IELTS Writing Tips-

• Bring out those books. Check your older textbooks, especially your previous grammar books and English study material. They will aid you immensely in preparing for the IELTS. 
• The more you write, the better you will become at it. Try to write at least once a day, even if it is just for a few minutes.
•  Ask a friend, teacher, or tutor to read your writing and give you feedback. This will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and to make improvements.

IELTS Listening Tips-

• The listening portion is really tough, and you will have to offer answers to around 40 questions for four recordings which will be played just once.  Questions usually include sentence completion, description completion, completing forms, and multiple-choice questions.
• During the conversation, it is easy to get lost at times but you should recover fast or you will miss all subsequent questions of the entire assignment. 
• Prepare yourself for situations where there are distractions and train yourself to overcome them fast, and come back to answer the questions.

IELTS Speaking Tips

• Get a buddy to practice online or at home with you. You can both play candidate and examiner.
• Record your mock speaking tests and see how you are performing and where there are gaps. 
• Try and note down everything you said in the form of a transcript, this will help you identify errors faster. 

IELTS Booster Program

In order to prepare the aspirants for their study abroad journey, upGrad Abroad has launched a 12-week long booster program that assists students in IELTS preparation, Academic Writing, Profile Building, University Application,  Education Loan, and Visa process. The program also features an International Faculty Masterclass where the leading subject matter experts and corporate leaders share their experiences with the students.

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