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Less
than six months before you plan to take IELTS? |
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If you are within 3 to 6 months of sitting the IELTS exam,
now is the best time to start preparing yourself for the
specific skills and format needed for the exam. By familiarizing
yourself with the exam format, and practising the skills
tested in the exam, you will be able to get the best band
score possible for your current English level. Here are some steps you can follow
to make the best use of your preparation time.
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1.
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Become
familiarized with the exam format and requirements |
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Before you start practising for the exam, you need to familiarize
yourself with the format, and what is expected of you in
the exam. There is basic information on each skill on these
pages: speaking, listening,
reading, writing.
For more detailed information, go to the SALL Resources on the Web IELTS page and browse through the
Examination Information sites.
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2.
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Become
familiarized with the specific exam skills tested |
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On the SALL Resources on the Web IELTS page go to Skills Training
and work your way through the programs 'Study Skills Success' or 'NetLanguages'.
These will help you understand the specific skills you need
for each part of the exam, and will also show you which
areas you need to work on more.
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3.
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Work
out a study plan |
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Set a study schedule |
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Look at your timetable and work out a realistic
plan for when and where you will do your IELTS preparation
study. A little every day is probably better than several
hours once per week, but consider your own study style and
what works best for you. Also consider the availability of
resources, and where and when the best places are for you
to do your study. For more advice on how to set a study plan,
go to our Self-Study Skills page. |
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(a) |
Focus on your weak points: Once you have worked
your way through these materials, you should have some idea
of what your weakest points are, and how you need to spend
the rest of your preparation time.
NB: HKBU students' average scores for speaking and writing
are around one whole band score lower than for reading and
listening. If you are a typical Hong Kong student, then the
chances are that you will need to spend more time preparing
for the speaking and writing sections, especially for the
Writing Task 1 graph description. |
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(b) |
Schedule your time: Divide your available time
according to your weak points. For example, if you are weakest
in writing, then schedule more time to practise writing, and
less on the other skills. |
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(c) |
Find the resources which
will help you practise in the area(s) you most need practice
on. |
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Go to our HKBU IELTS Resources page for specific resoure
recommendations.
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4.
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Do some
practice tests |
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It's important to do some timed tests in the week or month
before you take the exam.
- Other sample tests can be found in the HKBU Library
- do a search with keyword IELTS on the Library
website.
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Quick Summary
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If you are sitting IELTS this semester or academic
year start preparing specifically for IELTS.
- Set a study plan.
- For resources, go to SALL Resources on the Web IELTS page and work through
the sections in order
- Examination Information
- Skills Training
- Test Practice
- Spend more time on your weak areas.
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