IELTS (International English Language Testing System) preparation can be a daunting task as well as quite a challenge. The linguistic perspective entails understanding English and learning skills, and time management skills IELTS needs. IELTS demands proficiency in English and the ability to manage time efficiently across all sections. As each second brings one point to the overall participation score, time also becomes a significant factor among points. This guide provides you with the most up-to-date approach to time management for every aspect of the IELTS test to get the most amount of marks.
The IELTS exam is divided into four sections: The Domain Skills include speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
Here’s a brief overview:
Listening: 40 minutes at most (30 minutes for the test taking, and additional 10 minutes to transfer answers)
Reading: 60 minutes
Writing: 60 minutes
Speaking: 11-14 minutes
All sections consist of their challenges and require suitable time management solutions. Let’s explore this in detail:
Strategies On Time Management As You Prepare For The Section Relating To Listening
The entire Listening portion lasts 40 minutes, during which the first 30 minutes are used to answer the audio questions, while the last 10 minutes are devoted to transferring those answers to the answer sheet.
- Get to Understand the Different Types of Questions
Learn about various question forms such as multiple choice questions and sentence completion questions and try solving them as quickly as possible. It will help you to get rid of that and, by knowing those formats, you will spend more time listening rather than decoding the task.
- Skim Questions Before Audio Starts
Before each segment, there will be short breaks which should be used to read the questions swiftly. Skimming questions will assist you in thinking and being keen on certain aspects when listening.
- Stay Relevant and Do Not Waver
The audio is also played only once, so losing focus means missing much information. If you missed an answer, don’t let it bring you down or consume your thoughts. As such, transition to the next question to ensure they don’t skip on any other additional information.
- Utilize the Extra 10 Minutes Wisely
Use the last 10 minutes effectively by transferring answers carefully to avoid mistakes such as spelling and grammatical errors. If there is a chance, you can re-check your answers.
Things to remember in the reading section- Time Management
The Reading section is 60 minutes in total and contains only three passages but is quite difficult. In total, 40 questions will be on the test, and so on average, you will be given 1.5 minutes per question.
2. Allocate Time Strategically Across Passages
The first passage is always easy so it should take you not more than 15 minutes to complete. Limit the reading of the second passage to 20 minutes and the third and final passage to 25 minutes since it should be quite difficult.
- Skim and Scan
Briefly read each passage to get an understanding of what’s in the passage and then, search for the answers. This technique will enable you to rapidly find your answers without reading every single word in the text.
- Prioritize Easy Questions First
Focus on straightforward questions, like True/False/Not Given or sentence completion, before tackling harder questions. It means that if you can finish some of the easy questions, you will have ample time to spend on those you consider difficult.
- Do Not Spend too Much Time on One Question
If a question seems to be time-consuming then ignore it and come back to it later. Sticking to one question too long wastes valuable time and jeopardizes the rest of the questions you will be asked.
Writing Section Management Tips
The Writing section comprises two tasks: Task 1 where you have to either organize or analyze graphic data and the second task the essay. For the two tasks, you have 60 minutes, although Task 2 is more tightly timed.
3. Spend 20 Minutes on Task 1 and 40 Minutes on Task 2
Task 2 is more valued, so spend 40 minutes on this essay. In performing Task 1, try to spend up to 20 minutes only using relevant details and avoiding complexity.
- Plan Before Writing
Spend 3-5 minutes to outline each task before writing. While undertaking Task 1 think about important trends and figures and outline your argument and examples. Pre-outlining will help you reduce the loops and hence aid in writing more logically.
- Be Concise and Relevant
Don’t be wordy – only include information that relates to the given task. Paraphrasing or writing single-statement paragraphs will assist you in saving time and illustrate how your arguments relate to the main ideas of your course.
- Leave Time for Review
Reserve the last two or three minutes to spend on checking for grammatical errors. Sometimes just a small oversight may cause you to lose a few points you could have earned, so checking is helpful.
Expert Suggestions and Strategies for Time Management in Speaking
The Speaking section lasts between 11 to 14 minutes and is divided into three parts: An introduction and interview, a long turn, and a discussion.
4. Experience timed speaking Cautions/Limitations
Practice Speaking Within the Time Limits Part 2 should be done with ease- speak for 1-2 minutes on a given topic. This will help you to comprehend your speed when it comes to such tests so that when the real thing comes along you will be ready.
- Think Before Speaking
In part two, utilize the one-minute planning time to properly align your thinking. Summarize two or three points to establish order while responding to a question to maintain order in your reply.
- Pace Yourself
Do not hurry the answers; do not be slow in speech or delivery. It is therefore important to speak at a pace that will make the examiner follow your thought process without often needing a break.
- Follow the Cues of the Examiner
Make sure you follow the examiner’s questions very well. If they indicate that your time is up, smoothly finish your sentence instead of abruptly stopping. It will also demonstrate efficient management of time without an exaggerated air of repetitiveness in the session.
Top 9 Time Management Tips for IELTS Preparation
5. Take Timed Mock Tests
It will also let you get used to how each section actually takes and thus taking timed practice tests regularly will be of great help. Practicing tests under the same duration setting at home will help create a familiarity with the actual test time constraints.
- Avoid Perfectionism
Working to achieve a perfect response causes much thought and time to be spent. The majority of your energy should go towards writing coherently to sustain your points, 25% of your time should be spent on practicing and preparing for the actual writing task.
- Use Every Second Wisely
It’s good even if breaks are just for a few seconds between two questions or two activities. Blink through the next questions or think about the next question to remain mentally alert for the entire test.
- Stay Calm and Focused
Some nerves can cause time management problems. Try to practice some way of relaxation before the exam, like deep breathing, or positive thinking, like visualization. When the mind is focused it becomes easy to monitor time, which will work in favor.
Conclusion
Time management is one of the most important skills you can apply to the IELTS exam. With this small time division and keeping in mind the key techniques like skimming, scanning planning, and time, you can perform well to the level that is being tested. In the IELTS exam every section is different and therefore demanding but with such tips and practice each section should yield to the candidates on the right timing preparation.