How to pass your IELTS exam

Use the Internet!
There are hundreds of websites to help you prepare for your IELTS exam – use them. The following is a list of a few of the websites available (there are many, many more and you can find some via our links page):

• www.englishforuniversity.com
• www.examenglish.com
• www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish

Fit your IELTS preparation into your everyday life.

Know what you have to do.
IELTS exams have their own style and structure – be aware of what you will have to do in the exam, and make sure you read the instructions in the exam!

Listen to as much English as possible
On the radio, or online or by watching movies in English (with or without subtitles!)  As little as 5 minutes a day will be helpful! You could also download a podcast to your MP3 player and listen when you’re on your way to work or school.

Read as much English as possible. 
There are various websites which have short news stories. The BBC is an excellent site, or pick up a newspaper as often as you can and spend a few minutes looking up new words. Read about something that interests you – music, movies, celebrities, international news etc.

Set yourself a certain amount of time each day when you can only speak English!
Best to do this with a friend or family member who can also speak English. Start with a short amount of time, for example 10 minutes, and increase the amount of time every day or week, eventually you should be able to speak for an hour or even a whole day!

Record yourself speaking English, and listen back.
This will help your pronunciation and hopefully you will also hear mistakes that you can correct!

E-mail a friend.
Ask a friend, family member or colleague who speaks English if you can e-mail them once or twice a week, which will help your writing, and it will help your reading too – if they reply!

Be aware of the news!
Have knowledge of what is happening in the world, even if you read/ listen in your own language – it will help you in your exam if you have an awareness of current affairs.

Don’t do all of the above, all of the time!
Nobody can do everything; the best way to prepare is to do what you can, when you can.