Top IELTS tips every international student needs

Taking the IELTS exam is a big step on the way to study abroad success, and we know this can be daunting. With so much depending on this multi-part test, performing well may feel like a big challenge. However, millions of people use it to fulfil their international ambitions each year – and you can too. To help, we've put together a thorough list of IELTS tips, from preparation to reading, writing, listening and speaking.

General IELTS preparation tips

One of the most important parts of getting ready for IELTS is familiarising yourself with how it works. This includes understanding how it is delivered, what it contains and what is expected of you as a test taker.

These points are covered in our top exam preparation tips for IELTS success:

• Understand the exam format. IELTS is the same wherever you take it. The test has four papers, including one for each skill (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). You will have 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete it.
• Use the right study materials. Seek out official resources to prepare for your exam. These contain the most up-to-date information. Examples include IELTS study guides by Cambridge English and the IELTS by IDP app.
• Learn from model answers. Analysing high-scoring sample responses to IELTS questions helps you understand what gets top marks. Observe the structure of model answers as well as the information they contain.
• Avoid last-minute cramming. Focus on consistent practice over time, rather than memorising answers at the last minute. This makes the experience less stressful and enables you to provide more natural responses.
• Practise time management strategies. IELTS is timed, so it’s a good idea to take some practice tests at home to get used to its limits. Try to do this under exam-like conditions – time yourself and avoid distractions.
• Enhance English skills daily. Try to incorporate learning English into your daily life across as many skills as you can. For example, you could:
  • Read English books, news articles, blogs or academic texts
  • Listen to podcasts, lectures, radio or conversations in English
  • Regularly write and speak in English

IELTS reading tips

The IELTS reading paper takes 60 minutes to complete. It comprises questions about three texts taken from newspapers, journals and magazines. These assess your understanding of ideas, opinion, argument and meaning.

There are 40 questions in total, with various different styles. These include matching headings, fill-in-the-gap, multiple choice, summary, flow chart completion and sentence ending completion.

Here are our top tips for the reading test:

• Read the questions first, not the passage. This will help you identify key information faster and avoid reading unnecessary details.
• Analyse the questions before searching for an answer. Think carefully about what is being asked to ensure you approach it correctly.
• Skim for main ideas before scanning for details. Skim-read the passage first to get a general sense of the text, then scan for keywords when answering the questions.
• Be aware of paraphrasing. It is rare for IELTS exams to use the exact words from a passage in a question, so it’s a good idea to practise identifying synonyms and paraphrases.
• Manage your time. Each answer is worth one point, so try not to spend too much time on any individual question.
• Don’t overthink True/False/Not Given questions. If an answer isn’t explicitly stated in the text, it’s ‘Not Given’.

Consider some more advice on preparing for the IELTS reading test.

IELTS writing tips

The IELTS writing paper is divided into two tasks, and takes 60 minutes to complete.

Task 1

This task requires you to describe and report on visual information. You may need to analyse a bar chart, table, line graph, pie chart, map, process diagram or a combination of these.

• Aim to spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
• Write at least 150 words.
• Follow the ‘overview and two key details’ structure: write a brief overview that summarises the most important trends, then pick two key features to describe, using specific comparisons. For example, you could get a chart showing the number of international students at a university divided by gender, nationality and age. You can then compare the number of men and women and which nationalities feature the most.

Task 2

In this task you will need to discuss a point of view, argument or problem.

• Aim to spend 40 minutes on this task.
• Write more than 250 words.
• Use the four-paragraph formula:
  • Introduction: paraphrase the question and state your opinion
  • Main body (1): give your first argument with an example
  • Main body (2): give a second argument with an example
  • Conclusion: summarise your ideas and reinforce your opinion
• Use linking words effectively. Include connectors like ‘however’, ‘by contrast’ or ‘for instance’, but try not to overuse them.
• Keep your answer simple and clear. Examiners prefer clear, focused and well-structured answers to complex vocabulary with mistakes.

Try our further tips on preparing for the IELTS writing test.

IELTS listening tips

The IELTS listening paper takes 30 minutes to complete, with an additional 10 minutes given to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet. It comprises four sections, with each one based on a different audio recording. These will be of:

• A conversation between two people involving organisation or planning. Dates, times and places are essential details.
• A speaker dealing with a particular topic such as a guide to a company or place. You should pay attention to the key facts.
• A discussion between three or four speakers on an academic topic. For example, 'what is the best degree to study' or 'how to write an essay'. You need to identify opinions, facts and information.
• A single speaker delivering an academic lecture or research paper. You need to follow arguments, facts, evidence and other key information.

You will answer 40 questions. These follow the order in which they appear in each recording.

Here are our top tips for the listening test:

• Preview the questions before you listen to the recordings. Use the time given to predict what information you will need.
• Underline keywords in the questions. This will help you focus your listening on important details.
• Be aware of distractors. In some recordings, a speaker may correct themselves, e.g. ‘my phone number is 5432– oh no, sorry, it’s 5423…’
• Write what you hear, not what you think. Don’t change any words or add extra information.
• Pay attention to how many words are allowed for each answer. Limits must be followed.
• Write your answers on your question paper while you listen (if you are taking the paper test). Then, use the 10 minutes given after the recordings end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. If you are taking the computer test, enter your answers directly. You will only be given two minutes to check them.
• Practise listening to different English accents. The IELTS exam includes British, American, Australian and Canadian accents, so train your ears accordingly.

Get more guidance on preparing for the IELTS listening test.

IELTS speaking tips

The IELTS speaking test takes around 11-14 minutes to complete. In it, you will talk face-to-face with an examiner. They will evaluate your English speaking ability with a focus on four areas. These are as follows:

• Fluency and coherence – Does your speech flow logically?
• Vocabulary – What words do you use?
• Grammar – How do you structure your speech?
• Pronunciation – How do you sound when speaking and can your words be understood?

Each area is marked on a nine-point scale. Your scores for all of them are added together and divided by four to give your overall result.

Here are our top tips for the speaking test:

Part 1

• Be natural and answer directly. Staying on-topic is key.
• Keep answers concise but add some detail. For example, ‘I enjoy reading, especially crime novels because they keep me engaged.’

Part 2

• Use the task card to formulate your answer. During your preparation time, you can make notes.
• Use the three-point structure (PAST – PRESENT – FUTURE) when describing a topic or event:
  • What happened? (Past). For example, when talking about your daily routine, describe what you did, where you did it and provide some details of your activities.
  • Why is it important? (Present). Expand on why the routine you follow is helpful to you, e.g. it supports your physical and mental health.
  • What are your future thoughts on it? (Future). Discuss what you may want to change or improve, or which parts of your routine you may stop doing.

Part 3

• Support your opinions with examples. If asked ‘how has technology changed communication’, you could say ‘technology has made communication easier. For example, we can use video calls to connect with family abroad.’
• Avoid one-word answers. Always explain briefly, even for simple questions.
• If you don't have an answer, stay calm and rephrase your response. Instead of saying ‘I don’t know’, you could try:
  • ‘I haven’t thought about that before, but I believe…’, or
  • ‘I’m not sure, but one possibility is…’

Explore further with our advice on preparing for the IELTS speaking test.

IELTS test day preparation and wellbeing tips

On the day of your test, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible, and not just academically. Self-care can make sure that you are relaxed and can fulfil your potential.

Here are our top five self-care tips for IELTS success:

• Sleep well. Fatigue affects concentration and nerves. On the day before your exam, go to bed early for a good night's sleep.
• Arrive early. If you are taking your exam in a test centre, aim to get there at least 30 minutes in advance. If you are taking it online, ensure your connection is stable and that your login details are prepared.
• Eat a light meal. This will maintain your energy and concentration levels during your exam. Go for something high in protein and avoid heavy foods that could make you feel sluggish.
• Use the bathroom. Be sure to visit the toilet before your test starts. The listening, reading and writing components take over two and a half hours in total, with no breaks. You will not be able to leave during certain parts of the exam.
• Stay calm. Practise relaxation techniques to cope with nerves. Try inhaling for four seconds, holding that breath for another four seconds and then exhaling for another four seconds. This will help calm your mind and aid focus.

With the right preparation and a proactive attitude, your IELTS exam may not be such a stressful experience. As it is a clearly structured test, you can make sure that there will not be many surprises on test day. The exam is a stepping stone towards achieving your international academic goals, and not something to fear.

Still want more IELTS preparation tips? Discover more about taking IELTS online, how to avoid top IELTS mistakes, and what to expect on IELTS test day. You can also find out how IELTS scores are calculated.

Disclaimer: IDP Hotcourses Abroad is part of IDP Education, co-owner of IELTS.