IELTS is a language proficiency test that works as a gateway to pursue higher education in foreign countries.

Exam modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.

So, how to prepare?

Listening: Comparatively easiest module.

[Books: Cambridge + Official Guide]

– Hearing 4-5 YouTube videos is mandatory. (Suggested channels: Ted-ed/ BBC World Service and Aspiring English content creator) Ted-ed is so useful because these videos are connected with IELTS reading

– Read audio scripts and understand the functions they follow to make the audio. For example, almost 60% time the middle one they mention in the MCQ pattern is the answer. 

– Practice one listening test every day from Cambridge, identify your mistakes, and write the confusing spelling on sticky notes. However, if you get less than 25 out of 40, I will suggest practicing part by part will give a better solution. For instance, If you face trouble to solve MCQ, practice 30-40 MCQs only each day. Practicing mcqs for 1 week will surely develop your band score.

– I have practiced from the “Cambridge” and “practice test plus” series. 

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

[Books: Follow Cambridge only. ]

– Understanding the passage function is very crucial. To comprehend a passage easily, you must read more and more. Understanding linkers, paraphrasing, complex sentences, contrasting ideas, idea listing, and development of arguments are necessary. Take help from YouTube if you do not understand long passage structure easily. Otherwise, a mentor is needed. 

– Start your reading from the Daily Star and then go for magazines or articles. ( Suggested web for articles: Aeon/ The Economist/ Time)

– Underline the vocabulary and find meaning when reading the newspapers or articles. If you follow this way and can read 60-70 articles, don’t be tense about reading extra vocabulary. You are already mastered. 

– Try to read those identified words again, again, and again. If you are not interested in reading articles, please try to memorize a list of reading vocabulary.  Both of the methods are helpful. 

– After developing reading skills, go for a test. Remember, do not practice tests again and again before developing your skills. 

– Practice each question pattern separately and find out what you are lacking. Surprisingly, you will notice your improvements. 

– Then, take a full test with 1 hour time limit and recheck your mistakes. Do it again and again. 

– Confusion between No and Not given is universal. Practice every day and clear your perplexity.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞

[Books: Task 1-(Rachel Mitchell) Task 2- Simon writing]

– Paraphrasing is mandatory here. Search YouTube for IELTS writing paraphrasing, you will get the necessary videos. (Youtube channel: IELTS up+ IELTS Advantage recommended)

– Please understand each question pattern and write down the linkers and some topic-specific vocabs in sticky notes. Read those linkers and words again and again. Memorizing templates did not work in the exam hall for me.

– Read 2-3 sample answers daily and create an illustration of how they cover all the key points and compare the data. 

– Try to write one task 1 and one task 2 daily if your exam is going to be held within 10-15 days only. 

– I started practicing this module 20 days earlier than my main exam because getting more than band 7/7.5 is difficult in this module. As I took CD IELTS, the unfamiliar keyboard created complexity in the exam hall and I had to use backspace a lot which wasted my time and lowered my band. So be careful in this case. 

– Seek guidance from professionals to mark your essays. 

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲

[Book: Makkar speaking]

– Believe me, memorizing samples doesn’t work in an exam environment. So, read samples from Makkar and try to develop your idea and story. 

– Consistency in practice is mandatory

– Try to memorize some universal vocabulary and idioms from YouTube. (Keith speaking Academy)

– Chat GPT can play the role of a partner if you don’t have any. 

– I didn’t record my answer and recheck the mistakes whereas many people say it works for them. You can try. 

– Watch Band 9 YouTube videos regularly. 

– Seek guidance from professionals to judge your band level. 

Should you be admitted to the coaching center?

No, I guess it is a waste of time unless the coaching venue is too close to your home. On the other hand, online coaching centers are being extremely commercialized day by day. So, YouTube can be a great solution. But keep remembering that if you study alone you must have a strong basic with a moderate idea about grammar, linkers, paraphrasing, and reading with comprehension skills and others. Otherwise, you will suffer a lot. 

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The YouTube channels I followed:

Keith speaking academy: Speaking

Ielts advantage: speaking plus writing:E2 Ielts:English with Emma 

Asad Yaqub: Reading 

IELTS up: Writing 

(Don’t watch all the videos uploaded by the channels, there are a lot of unnecessary videos as well. Watch the one you need.)

Recap resources: 

-Cam books 11-19( Listening + Reading)

-Makkar speaking

-Rachel Mitchel (Task1)+ Simon writing(Task 2)

These books are enough to achieve 7 to 7.5 very easily.

If your target is more(e.g.  7.5 to 8, then go for these also:

– Practice test plus book(Listening + Resfing)

– Makkar Reading book

– IELTS Master website. 

– Ieltsonlinetest.com( For CD test)

– Ieltsmini.com( For CD  test)

I personally follow for my study abroad Journey: Dipro prottay and seaam Shahid noor.