How to prepare for IELTS at home

IELTS is one of the preferred English language proficiency tests accepted by universities worldwide. Acing the test would open the doors to global opportunities for international students. Preparing for the IELTS exam is easier now than ever because the IELTS preparatory materials on IELTS.com are now freely available to all. It is not necessary to invest in coaching classes to succeed. Let’s explore how best to use the resources and prepare for IELTS at home at your own pace.

Can you really prepare for IELTS at home?

Yes, you can, and even ace the test if you stay committed to your strategy. This short-term preparation strategy would be most effective for people who have at least a moderate grasp of the English language.

But before we explore the day-by-day plan, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Make use of every opportunity to strengthen your English language skills. Read, listen, speak and write in English as much as possible.
• Have a realistic study plan – ensure you allocate time to practice all four skills.
• Source study materials from reliable sources. The IELTS Prep hub is now free and accessible to all.
• Avoid burnout; take short breaks between your studies and adopt measures to reduce stress.

Benefits of preparing for IELTS at home

Flexibility: You can develop a study plan that suits your learning style, routine and preferences. Whether you are an early bird or a night owl, you can decide when and how long to study.

Cost-effective: Preparing for IELTS at home is less expensive than spending money on IELTS coaching. You will also save on commuting and the cost of study materials.

Freedom to explore: You are not restricted to a single approach or a fixed set of study materials. From printed materials to YouTube videos, it’s up to you to decide what to use, when to use it and how to structure your study plan.

A learning pace set by you: Would you like to spend more time on the Listening section than the others? Would you like to set aside an extra day to practice your speaking skills? You have that liberty when you are preparing for IELTS from the comfort of your home.

What will you need to prepare for IELTS at home?

You should have the right tools and resources to prepare for IELTS at home.

• A distraction-free space: Most people prefer a quiet space for focused work. Find a space where you won’t be disturbed so that you can focus on your learning, and also time your test more effectively.
• A laptop or smartphone with a stable internet connection: This will help you attempt practice tests or watch, read, and listen to preparatory materials without any hassle.
• Timer or stopwatch: Nowadays, most smartphones have built-in clocks with timers and stopwatches. Time management is crucial for acing the test, and these tools can help you with it.
• A notebook and pen: These can help you write out your study plan, track your progress, write essay outlines, and note new vocabulary and grammar concepts.
• Headphones or earphones: Listening tests require you to practice with headphones or earphones to capture the audio more clearly. This also mimics the actual test environment.

Steps to prepare for IELTS at home

Start by taking a mock test: To decide how intensive your study plan should be, take a mock test to understand your English language level. Then, note down the IELTS requirements at your desired universities.

Set a study goal: Based on insights you gained from the last exercise, you can decide the score that you want to work towards.

Gather the study materials: Spend the initial 3-5 days researching and selecting the study materials that would work best for you. This can include materials available on IELTS by IDP, the British Council study materials, YouTube videos, podcasts, TED Talks or vocabulary apps. Ensure you pick the latest content.

Decide the timeline: Define how much time you can realistically commit to your test preparation each day. Have weekly goals and checkpoints so that you have a goal to work towards and an assessment to track progress.

Have a section-wise plan: Based on your initial mock test, you would now be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Based on this information, determine the amount of time you want to spend on each section, every week. The section-wise plan should include time for learning strategies and applying those.

Decide mock test and evaluation days: Set aside time every week for taking a mock test and then evaluating your answers. Based on the insights you gain, tweak your study plan.

Remember: There is more study material online than you could possibly cover. While it is important to prepare diligently, do not fall into the trap of perfection. Choose a test date that would give you enough time to prepare, and commit to it.

What is the IELTS test structure?

There are 4 modules in the IELTS exam: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. To come up with an effective plan, you should first be aware of the IELTS test format. Here are the basic details you should be aware of:

Listening: 30 minutes, 40 questions

The listening questions are based on four pre-recorded monologues and dialogues.

Question types: Multiple choice, complete the sentence, matching, labelling, etc.

Reading: 60 minutes, 40 questions

Questions will be based on 3 texts/passages. Questions vary in type and theme and are designed to test a range of reading skills, from a general understanding to detailed comprehension.

Question types: Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, short answers, matching headings to content, etc.

Writing: 60 minutes, 2 writing tasks

The first task presents a graph, table, chart, or diagram, requiring you to explain the data in your own words (minimum 150 words). The second task is an essay question, in which you must respond to a perspective or argument (minimum 250 words).

Question types: Long answers

Speaking: 11-14 minutes, the number of questions can vary

In the first part of the test, you will answer general questions about yourself. In the second part, you get a topic to talk about, and in the third part, you will answer questions about the topic you discussed in part two.

IELTS study strategies for each section

IELTS study strategy for the Listening section:

Practice active listening. You can rely on TED Talks, podcasts, or other YouTube videos in English to listen to keywords, intended meanings, tone, and pronunciation.

Practice reading the question first before listening to the audio, so you know what you should be looking for.

Avoid relying on subtitles. Though it is useful initially for capturing accents, it is important to practice without the subtitles to simulate the actual test.

IELTS study strategy for the Reading section:

Practice the skimming and scanning techniques of reading. Skimming is to help you gather an overall idea about the passage, while scanning is the technique used to look for specific information in the passage.

Practice reading fast.

IELTS study strategy for the Writing section:

Even though the section assesses your writing skills, it is important to practice reading the question thoroughly.

Practice planning the outline of your response before you start writing the actual answer. Dedicate time to each section of your response. This ensures that your response is completed within the given time and addresses all the required elements.

Compare your responses with actual responses and note down how you can make your response better.

IELTS study strategy for the Speaking section:

Record your responses and evaluate them.

Consciously practice thinking in English even when you are not actively preparing for the test. This will help you reduce the time taken to translate your response from your regional language to English.

What are some of the best resources to prepare for IELTS at home?

IELTS by IDP: The best resource is the official IELTS website, where you can download a self-assessment test, a study plan, or access the free IELTS Masterclass.

YouTube: You can also rely on YouTube channels and podcasts to understand different ways of preparing for your IELTS exam. The IELTS by IDP YouTube channel is a great place to start.

British Council: BC offers IELTS preparatory materials, practice tests, preparation courses and tutorials to help students prepare well for the exam. Their IELTS Ready preparation package offers a comprehensive range of IELTS resources.

Downloadable or printable materials are also available on the Cambridge, British Council and IELTS websites to help you practice the different sections effectively.

Explore our article on ‘How to prepare for the IELTS exam’ for details on how to prepare for the IELTS exam.

Practice with mock tests

Attempting mock tests at regular intervals will help you analyse your progress and become familiar with the test format. They simulate the test conditions, including the type of questions and the timings. Take the full-length tests to make the most out of them.

Use answer keys to evaluate your responses. Identify your strong and weak areas and adjust your study plans accordingly.

Several websites offer IELTS mock tests, and several of these online tests are free. Explore our article on 5 websites that offer IELTS mock tests.

What are some tips to stay focused and motivated at home?

Even if you find the quietest corner in your home for IELTS exam preparation, distractions are inevitable. The temptation to procrastinate is also stronger when you are in the comfort of your home. To help you stay focused at home, some practical tips you can consider are:

• Setting a daily schedule and maintaining a healthy routine.
• Setting daily targets and tracking progress will help you stay on course and also give you a sense of accomplishment.
• Using a proven learning technique that would work for you. The Pomodoro Technique, for instance, involves 25-minute focused learning sessions and 5-minute breaks.
• Practising visualisation: When negative thoughts arise, consciously shift your focus by visualising winning and acing the test.

Common mistakes when preparing from home

• Not adhering to your schedule: When studying from home, it’s easy to alter your study plan since you're only accountable to yourself. But doing that too often can leave you without enough time to practice all the sections.
• Only learning and not practising: watching videos, taking notes, and noting vocabulary and grammar concepts are all okay, but only active learning and practice can help you improve your score.
• Not being serious with the mock tests: Simulating the actual test environment is crucial to building confidence and getting familiar with the test. The real test might prove more challenging if you treat the mock tests casually.

Be disciplined with your plan and stay committed to yourself. With the right approach and trusted resources, you will be ready to face the test with confidence! All the best for your study abroad journey!