TIME MANAGEMENT TRICKS TO SCORE 7+ BANDS IN IELTS

The IELTS test isn’t necessarily difficult. If anything it is the easiest test out there. Yet most students falter and end up scoring below 7 bands. Even though IELTS has no pass or fail system, most universities have minimum cut offs that one needs to clear to be eligible for admission. If your IELTS score is low, even spectacular academics can’t help you secure admission. The more prestigious and higher ranked universities look for scores in the 7+ bands area. A higher score on IELTS is a testament to many qualities and soft skills that every university is searching for. 

One of these skills is time management. The importance of time during the IELTS test cannot be stressed enough. English stalwarts will fail to cross the 7 band threshold if they fail at managing their time effectively. Each section contains several questions which need proper attention. Rushing too fast or moving at a snail’s pace can negatively affect your scores. IELTS coaching Pune must include time management tips and tricks. This article contains a list of the best tips one can use to manage their time in a manner most beneficial to their score.

1.    GOING VERY FAST DOES NOT EQUAL TO GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT

Some students, when advised not to waste a lot of time on the same question, take it to mean that they have to rush faster than the wind through the entire paper. Finishing your test in half the time does not make you a time management wizard. If anything it leads to making mistakes that could have easily been avoided with a little extra thought. Students also end up making mistakes as silly as plugging the wrong answer for the wrong question in their callousness. Be smart, not fast.

2.    ON THE OTHER HAND, GOING TOO SLOW IS HARMFUL TOO

If you end up spending several minutes pondering every question, trying to find the most perfect answer, you will end up with unattempt questions. The fact that you need so much time to find one right answer clearly indicates a lack of practice and confidence. Both of which are unwanted qualities in a successful student.

3.    MAKE NOTES DURING THE LISTENING SECTION

The listening tapes are played only once. So, making notes will help you retain the information easily. Moreover, notes can help you recall the required facts quickly without wasting time in recollection. Every second saved is a second that can be used to answer questions that matter.

4.    ALLOT 5 MINUTES TO PLANNING DURING THE WRITING SECTION

Students rush into the writing section as soon as the bell sounds. But this is bad practice. If you start writing without a backbone or any structure in mind, you will end up wasting more time arranging your ideas midway. You might also miss out on some facts or end up with a jumbled up essay. To avoid all these gaffes, simply spend 5 minutes planning out your essay before you start writing.

IELTS preparation Jaipur must include the best ways to manage time effectively to get the best score possible.

A 6 STEP GUIDE TO INCREASE YOUR IELTS WRITING SCORE FROM 5 TO 7+ BANDS

There are 2 tasks in the IELTS writing section. Each task, when studied closely, can be further divided into sub categories. This division helps in identifying how to answer the question at hand. Most students end up answering in the wrong manner, thereby sabotaging their own results. Task one is a short writing exercise which requires you to describe your understanding about the information and data given. Their breakdown is as follows:

1.    Static tasks when only one time period is given and change over time tasks when more than one time periods are given.

2.    Different types of charts including bar graphs, pie charts, tables, line graphs, and maps.

3.    Numbers or percentages.

These are the key dimensions of task 1 in IELTS. Your language and interpretation of the data given should be accurate and to the point.

The second task involves writing about a general topic in the manner given. The 2 most important parts of task 2 are Topic and Task. The topic could practically be anything ranging from society, media, environment, technology, crime and what not. But what has been noticed is that the topics tend to be repeated, recycled over a period of time. So going through past years papers will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

There are three types of tasks that are usually given:

1.    Write an argumentative essay.

2.    A both sides and opinion essay.

3.    A two question essay.

Most students fail to understand the task which leads to lesser scores. Even if you have impeccable grammar and vocabulary, straying from the question will lessen your impact.

Here are the six steps that can help you increase your score.

1.    Read lots of sample essays.

The internet is filled with pages and pages of sample essays. Type a quick search of 7+ band essays from actual tests. Go through them and learn what differentiates them from the rest.

2.    LEARN HOW TO PLAN YOUR ESSAY

Your essay is a merely a reflection of your plan. Write down the basic structure of your essay within the first 5 minutes. A good plan contains an opening and closing statement along with 2 ideas of your own.

3.    PRACTICE

The most important step of all. Unless, you need to spend hours writing practice questions. Follow the techniques taught to you in your IELTS coaching. And manage your time adequately.

4.    GET YOUR TESTS MARKED

If you are undertaking IELTS institute or coaching then, this will be easier. Get your teacher to mark your tests on a 9 band scale. If you are practicing alone then, your parents can help you out.

5.    INTEGRATE ALL FEEDBACK IN YOUR APPROACH

Take all criticism and feedback seriously. Try your best to alter your approach according to the advice given.

6.    RERWRITE THE TASKS

Don’t forget to rewrite the tasks with the changes told. Now you have a nice essay prepared that should score well.