After interacting with hundreds of IELTS aspirants, we have narrowed down the fears, misconceptions & common mistakes that students make when it comes to the IELTS speaking section.

It takes more than just great communication skills, it requires you to have a superior hold on grammar, vocabulary, fluency, diction, pronunciation as well as coherent & confident speech.

At 91Čȱ¬, we can help you do all that!

Here are 7 Tips To Ace the IELTS Academic Speaking Section

#1: Make a good first impression

This is more to your advantage than the interviewer’s: of course, you are not going to get bonus marks if you smile or shake hands, but it always helps with your own confidence levels and allows you to do your best.

Remember, even though the IELTS may seem thoroughly mechanical, the interview will, at the end of the day, be conducted by people just like you and me.

If you are able to establish a good rapport with the interviewer, it will be easy for you to sail through the interview, and speak clearly and confidently.

Exude confidence and poise, and you will automatically be in a better frame of mind to perform optimally.

#2: Weave stories out of your answers

The most important thing to remember about the IELTS Speaking test is thatĚýyou are not awarded marks based on truth and veracity.

The second part of the Interview requires you to speak on a particular topic after preparing for about a minute, and it may or may not be something you’re familiar with; for instance, you may be asked to describe a recent incident that you found challenging.

The biggest mistake students do is to waste their precious preparation time racking their brains for the perfect story to tell.

If you find yourself in such a fix and can’t recall any such incident at the drop of a hat, remember, it is perfectly okay to fabricate your story and tell them what you think they might find interesting.

You are being tested on your ability to articulate using good grammar, vocabulary, and rhetoric, and the element of fictionality barely matters here.

Make your story interesting and engaging, interweaving it with idioms, strong vocabulary and grammatical structures, and you’ll be on your way to a 9.

However, don’t forget to stay on topic!

#3: Seek clarifications where needed

Many candidates, fearing negative marking, prefer to keep silent and not answer at all, as opposed to seeking clarifications for questions or words they do not understand.

Don’t worry, asking questions will not reflect negatively on your marks; what will, however, is if you keep quiet instead of answering the question asked.

Say something like “I’m so sorry, I don’t understand what you mean by…” or “Could you please repeat that?” to be clear on what exactly is asked of you.

[FREE eBook]: Want section-wise understanding of IELTS, including Reading, Listening & Writing?ĚýDownload now!

#4: Abstraction versus narration

What exactly is it that sets apart a 9.0 band scale from a 6.0?

The answer is actually surprisingly simple: details, details, and details.

When you’re answering your second task, you could go about it in two ways—you could narrate an incident factually, as it actually transpired, or you could introduce some abstraction to it, which not only lends your answer nuance and sophistication but also showcases your command over English.

Confused?

Let me explain.

If you are asked to talk about something that made you angry recently, for instance, you could talk about how you were on a crowded train and an elderly disabled woman was left standing since nobody would vacate a seat for her. That would be narration.

Instead talk about how this situation caused you to think about ageism and how unfairly the elderly are treated in our society, how social values have changed over time, and consequently how this can be mitigated through sensitization programs and a more educated upbringing.

This way, you are bringing something new to the table, and demonstrating your fluency in communicating your awareness of the world around you.

#5: Mistakes are okay!

It is easy to feel dejected or discouraged because of a mistake—it hinders your flow, interrupts your thought process, and makes a bad impression on the listener.

However, mistakes happen to the best of us: even the native speaker isn’t perfect.

If you make a mistake during your speaking test, don’t panic!

The best idea is to pause for a moment, quickly apologize to the interviewer, and correct yourself. This shows the interviewer that you have a good command over the language, and of course, that you know the right answer.

#6: Grammar and fluency trumps vocabulary

It is a tempting prospect to memorize the whole Oxford English Dictionary in a bid to impress your interviewers.

However, before you rush out to the nearest bookstore, do remember that it is far more important to be fluent and grammatically perfect than to rote learn grandiose words and phrases you barely understand.

Of course, your vocabulary is also tested, but how can you hope to build a beautiful house if your foundations are shaky?

91Čȱ¬ IELTS Tip: Speaking fluidly and articulately always takes precedence over fancy vocabulary!

#7: Practice makes perfect

The easiest, most effective way to ace the Speaking test is to take a look at the sample questions from past IELTS exams and ask a friend or family member to ask you the questions.

This way, your confidence will improve, and your friend will be able to tell you if you are making any mistakes in intonation or pronunciation.

Want to know an IELTS speaking session works?

Check this Speaking Session with 91Čȱ¬ IELTS Student & his personal IELTS Trainer.

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We hope you found this article illuminating & useful!

What are some of the IELTS speaking difficulties you face?

Comment below and we’ll reply back with personalized solutions for you!

Good luck!

The post IELTS Academic: 7 Tips To Speak Correctly & Confidently appeared first on 91Čȱ¬ Blog.

It is no surprise that this causes immense anxiety in students, especially since the IELTS Speaking Section is administered as a face-to-face interview.

Want to know more about the IELTS test format in detail?Ěý
Download our “Definitive Guide To IELTS Academic” – A free eBook that covers every section in detail as well as scoring patterns & testing parameters!

But, before we dive into some important tricks & techniques to ace the Speaking Section, let’s understand some of the common challenges to watch out for.

Common Challenges In The IELTS Speaking Section

#1: Not knowing what to expect:

One of the gravest mistakes you can make is going to the test center not knowing what is coming. Before your test, make sure to thoroughly acquaint yourself with the test format and pattern by taking some practice tests, so that there are no nasty surprises on the exam day.

#2: Lacking confidence

The IELTS interviewers aren’t expecting you to be a brilliant orator: it’s more than enough if you talk as you normally would to a friend or colleague. That said, it is important to make good eye contact with the interviewer, smile every now and then, and talk politely and courteously.

#3: Giving yes/no answers

The objective of the IELTS is to test your English language fluency, so it is necessary that you answer at least at some length and do not simply give monosyllabic answers.

If you’re asked where you’re from, don’t simply reply with Coimbatore.

Instead, say something like “I’m from Coimbatore, which is one of the major cities in Tamil Nadu. It’s a wonderful place, with a lot to see and do.”

#4: Going off-topic

Many students, in the midst of their interview, lose sight of the question asked and tend to go off on a tangent. Talking more is not the same as talking correctly.

Remember, the interview questions are usually straightforward and simple, and don’t need more than a 3-4 sentence long answer.

#5: Remaining silent

Giving no answer is much worse than giving a poor one—again, remember that these questions are about you— there is nothing you don’t already know. If there’s a word or phrase in the question you don’t understand, it is perfectly OK to ask the interviewer to clarify it, but choosing to give no answer will be seriously detrimental to your overall score.

#6: Memorising answers

It is usually very easy to tell when a candidate has memorized his answers, and doing so is likely to reflect poorly on your scores since the interviewers are looking for spontaneity and ability to respond correctly and quickly.

#7: Wrong pronunciation

A native-like fluency is not expected of you, but it is important regardless to only use words whose pronunciations you are confident about; otherwise, choose a synonym you can actually pronounce.

#8: Repeating the same word

One of the things the IELTS seeks to examine is the breadth of your vocabulary, and using the same word over and over again will not win you any favours.

For instance: I found *xyz* experience very interesting because it put me in touch with interesting people and interesting ideas.

Phew! That’s a long list.

But now that you know what to watch out for, read this 7 Genius Tips To Speak Confidently and Correctly!Ěý

If you find any other difficulties with the IELTS Speaking Section, do comment and let us know. We’d be happy to help you solve it at the earliest!

The post IELTS Speaking Section: 8 Common Mistakes To Avoid For An 8 Band Score appeared first on 91Čȱ¬ Blog.

With more than one million test-takers every year, the IELTS measures the candidate’s command over the English language in order to judge whether he/she would be able to study or seek employment in an English-speaking country.

The test is administered in four components—Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The first three tasks are paper-based, while the fourth one is conducted in the form of an interview between the candidate and an IELTS professional.

Each of the four sections is scored on a scale of 1 (poor user) to 9 (expert user), with marks awarded for various parameters such as grammar, vocabulary, syntax etc.

Want to know more about the IELTS Test Format in detail?

Unsurprisingly, the Speaking component is also one which test-takers find the most daunting. They worry about their weak vocabulary, fluency and inability to speak confidently.

The first step towards overcoming that fear is to understand the test format in detail.

What exactly does the IELTS Speaking Section entail?

The IELTS Speaking test lasts anywhere between 11-14 minutes and is conducted in the form of an interview between you and an IELTS official. It consists of three main tasks, namely:

• Task 1: Introduction & Interview

The first part is an introduction where you will be asked general questions about you, your family, friends, school, occupation, hobbies, etc. ĚýThis usually lasts between 4-5 minutes.

• Task 2: Long Turn

In the second part, you will be given a TASK CARD with a specific topic on it.Ěý Based on the Task Card, you will be asked to speak for 2 minutes or so. You will be given 1 minute to prepare on that topic before you start speaking. ĚýThis section usually lasts 3-4 minutes. After speaking, the interviewer will ask you a couple of questions on your topic.

• Task 3: Discussion

In the third part, you and the interviewer will have an extended discussion on the topic you spoke about in the previous task, based on the task card, exchanging views, opinions, and ideas.

Example of an IELTS Speaking Section

Here’s an example of the IELTS speaking section as conducted by an 91Čȱ¬ IELTS SFA and an 91Čȱ¬Ěýstudent.

What are the benefits of a high IELTS Speaking score?

Of course,Ěýhaving a good test score is always an advantage, but does having a high IELTS Speaking score have a specific advantage?

YES, DEFINITELY!

Having a high IELTS score helps you in many ways, beyond securing a top admit in USA, Canada, Australia etc:

• Opens up new academic and professional avenues:ĚýPotential employers and universities are convinced about your ability to fluently converse in English.
• Ease of immigration:ĚýIn countries like Canada or Australia that follow a point-based immigration system, having a high IELTS score increases the number of points you have, thereby increasing your visa chances.
• Tutoring opportunities: In addition to boosting your employability, a high IELTS Speaking score will also allow you to be an English tutor for those aspiring to take the IELTS themselves.
• Scholarships and funding opportunities increase.
• TA/RA opportunities:ĚýThe unicorn of the academic world, graduate teaching/research assistantship jobs are highly sought after because they both add to your experience and help you out financially. Because the positions are so much in demand, it always helps to have a high IELTS score, since it proves your ability to speak English fluently and handle a diverse group of students.

Sounds great, right?

If you’re thinking about preparing for IELTS, read our blog post on 6 Tips To Speak Confidently & Score High!

If you have any questions regarding the IELTS Speaking Section, feel free to shoot us a comment below and we’ll get back to you!

The post What is the format of the IELTS Speaking Section? appeared first on 91Čȱ¬ Blog.

However, it can also be daunting and intimidating, especially given the sheer amount of paperwork you are required to submit. Chief among the many documents you will be asked for is a proof of English language proficiency, required when you are applying to study in a majority English speaking country.

For this purpose, standardized English language tests like the TOEFL or IELTS are administered routinely throughout the year across a number of locations in the world.

In this article, we will discuss the IELTS, its various types, and what type of IELTS is ideal for you as a grad school aspirant.

We will also touch upon the test format, scoring patterns, and the myriad advantages of having a high IELTS score.

What exactly is the IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System, commonly abbreviated to IELTS, is one of the most globally recognized standardized English language proficiency tests with more than three million candidates every year.

Administered in partnership with the British Council, the test is required of those who are not native English speakers (those whose mother tongue is not English) but are desirous of working or studying abroad in majority English speaking countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The candidate is examined across four areas of language—speaking, listening, reading and writing—and based on his or her proficiency, is given a score on a 0-9 scale for each component. The overall band score will be awarded based on an average of scores from all the four components. Ěý

Universities seeking an IELTS score clearly stipulate their IELTS score requirements on the official website so you can know exactly what you are aiming at. Usually, score requirements are upwards of 6.5 (overall), although of course it can vary from university to university.

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Source: Wikipedia

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The test is administered four times a month, across nearly ninety locations in India, so you don’t have to wait too long before you take your test. Once available, the test results are valid for two years.

What are the different types of IELTS tests?

Because the IELTS is used for both education and immigration purposes, there are two different modules of the test— the Academic and the General.

• The Academic is designed for students aspiring to pursue their higher education in an English-speaking country. As such, the test intends to gauge your ability to grasp and understand academic language, and requires of you a considerable command over the English language. It is also aimed at professionals such as doctors or nurses who want to set up their own practice in an English-speaking country.
• The General module is undertaken by those wishing to obtain non-academic training, or to gain work experience. It is also taken for immigration purposes. The General module tests conversational skills, and ability to comfortably converse in English in general social or business situations.

What is different about the two modules?

The IELTS General and Academic test takers have the same Listening and Speaking sections. What is different, therefore, Ěýis the Reading and Writing components. Let us take a look at some of these differences.

Writing: The most discernible differences between the academic and general IELTS are manifest in the writing section. For those opting for the Academic module, the first writing task (of about 150-200 words) will require the candidate to succinctly describe, summarize or explain a chart, graph, table or diagram. The task is designed to gauge the candidate’s ability to choose important features from less important ones, to accurately report factual information, and to describe and compare data.

In the General module, the first writing task is concerned with letter writing. Candidates are presented with a problem or situation (such as applying for a job, or asking for time off work), to which they are expected to write a letter that expresses an opinion, engages the reader in a conversation, and also provides factual information.

The second task of the Writing component is common to both modules—candidates will be given a brief opinion or statement, based off which they are required to produce an extended piece of writing in response to it, based on their own personal knowledge and experience. Usually, the statement given to General Module students are easier to attempt.

Reading: The Reading section of the IELTS tests the candidate’s ability to understand the main idea of the text, understanding details and nuances, and his ability to synthesize and reproduce the knowledge gleaned from the texts. Although the Reading component in both modules consists of three tasks, the Academic module entails longer passages, with texts ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical, and could also include non-verbal material such as graphs, charts and diagrams. On the other hand, section 1 of the General Module Reading component contains two or three short factual texts, section 2 contains two short factual texts relating to work, while the third section has one longer text on a topic of general interest.

Which IELTS test should I choose?

As an MS aspirant, you will be required to take the Academic IELTS, which measures your English language proficiency, and gauges whether you will be comfortable in an academic, higher learning environment which demands a robust command over the English language.

What is the test format for IELTS Academic?

The exam is conducted over 2 hours and 45 minutes, and consists of three sections, with the Speaking component conducted separately (lasting 11–14 minutes).

Listening: The listening section consists of 40 questions to be answered over 30 minutes (plus ten more minutes to transfer your answers into the sheet). The candidate will listen to four different recordings based off which they will be required to answer the questions asked. The first recording is a conversation between two people about everyday situations, while the second one is a monologue about some facet of everyday social contexts. The third recording takes place in an academic setting with up to four people, and the fourth one is again a monologue, this time on a matter of academic interest (such as a lecture). Each question carries one mark, although poor spelling and grammar is liable to be penalized. This component gauges your ability to understand and respond to spoken English, and also how well you are able to grasp and understand factual information and the opinions and ideas of the speakers.

Reading: The duration of this component is 60 minutes, with 40 questions worth one mark each in total. You are required to read three long passages, based on which a number of questions will be asked. The types of questions include, but are not limited to, multiple choice, identifying the writer’s intentions, opinions and claims, short answer writing, and sentence completion. The texts are taken from a wide range of magazines, journals, newspapers, books and other texts. The intention of the Reading section is to test your ability to grasp the main underlying ideas and opinions of the text, as well as to read for details, understand the arguments being made, and also to skim-read when there is a paucity of time.

Writing: Again, the duration of the Writing section is 60 minutes, within which time you will have to complete two writing tasks. In Task 1, you will be given some form of visual material (graphs, charts, diagrams, tables, etc), and based on your understanding of the data, you will be required to summarize the information in your own words. You will not be allowed to use bullet points or notes—the answer must be in paragraphs. The use of bullet points will lead to penalization, as will writing too short an answer—your answer must be at least 150 words. The answer must be based on the data only—writing irrelevant, off-topic responses will also be penalized. Ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on this task.

For the second task, you will be given an opinion or idea, using which as a base you must write an extended response. This task contributes twice as much to the band score as task one, so it is crucial that you give yourself enough time for this task. You will be required to write at least 250 words, failing which you will be risking your chance at a good score. The answer must be nuanced and opinionated—for instance, if the question is about a specific aspect of air pollution, you must not write on air pollution in general, but about what you feel about this particular aspect. This task measures your ability to form opinions and convey them, to write clearly and succinctly, and to form a balanced, well-informed argument. You should not spend more than 40 minutes on this task. Plagiarism, not meeting the word limit, and writing answers in bullets will lead to severe penalization.

Speaking: Designed to test your ability to speak and communicate clearly and articulately, the speaking component is essentially an interview between the candidate and the examiner, and is spread across three parts. In part 1, lasting for 4-5 minutes, the examiner introduces himself, and asks the candidate basic question about himself, his family, friends, occupation and hobbies. In Part 2, the candidate will be given a card which asks him to speak at length about a specific topic, and lasts for 2-3 minutes. In part 3, lasting 4-5 minutes, the examiner and candidate further discuss the topic given in part 2.

To read more about the IELTS Speaking Section, check out our detailed blog post on it!

Scoring Pattern

Speaking and Writing are entirely subjective and thus scores are given accordingly, based on ability to articulate clearly and precisely, as well as usage of vocabulary, grammar, syntax and sentence structure. Accordingly, a score between 0 (non-user) to 9 (expert user) is awarded.

InĚýReading and Listening, there are 40 questions carrying 1 mark each. For every correct answer you get a single mark, which then cumulates into the final raw scores that you have. For example, if 30 of your answers are correct in listening, then 30 will be your raw score in IELTS listening out of 40, which will then be converted into bands.

In order to convert scores to bands, the raw score is matched with the corresponding band score. So if your raw score is 30, it will be converted into 7 bands. Each section has its own band score, and based on the average of the four bands, a score is given.

What is a good IELTS score for me?

As we’ve seen, universities generally stipulate their band score requirements based on programs of study on their website. However, for MS aspirants, a score between 6 (competent user) to 8 (almost expert user) is considered an excellent score. Of course, the perfect 9 score is an extremely elusive one!

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Now, the IELTS may seem like a cake walk, but the truth is that students often arrive at the exam center and are taken aback by the test, not because their command over English is weak, but due to lack of acquaintance with the test format and scoring. Scoring high on the exam is actually surprisingly easy if you practice consistently, and work on your reading and writing skills.

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Want to take the IELTS but don’t know how to get started?

Drop us a comment below with your queries, and one of our experts will get back to you shortly. You can also browse through our range of IELTS prep programs and see what fits you best. Good luck!

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