Good morning to everyone reading this post.
My Intro
My Intro
My name is Vikas. I am from Bangalore. I work as an engineer at Robert Bosch limited. This post is entirely devoted to the practice and the experience I had with the International English Language Testing System or shortly called as the IELTS.
I was a year into my job at Bosch and work here was getting monotonous and I was passionate about searching for another job that I could enjoy. It was during this search that I found my sister calling me to Australia to work over there. I looked at the employment scenario down under and it looked very favourable. I decided that it was time to do something that would get me to that place. It was at this time did I come to know that the first hurdle to cross was the IELTS.
I wasn't such a good candidate at language in school because, the very essence of it used to put me off. But now, the chance of working in an alien environment made me excited enough to prepare for it.
The Preparation
I had to take up the General Module (as I came to know). I looked up the internet for information on what to prepare, how to prepare and many other related things that were of very good use. With this info, I visited a bookstore and got a book which was made by Cambridge specifically for IELTS. It had audio cd for the speaking section, reading section devoted to both academic and general modules, a section on writing which showed what parts make up a good answer.
I trained a lot from this book. I took up practice tests right from the book. After a few days, the syllabus became ingrained in me. I also downloaded podcasts from BBC Documentaries which gave me insights into accents of British, American, Australian and New Zealand people.
With the writing section, I wrote essays and letters each and everyday. I compared my essays with ones that were given in the Book.
In the speaking section, I made it a point to read the Newspaper everyday, loudly in my room. As a result, minor errors and other mistakes were corrected.
All this was done about one month before the exam. After that time, I never read nor studied anything else till the day of the exam. Many might say that what I did was wrong or probably unconventional, but whatever I did get me something in the end.
I was a year into my job at Bosch and work here was getting monotonous and I was passionate about searching for another job that I could enjoy. It was during this search that I found my sister calling me to Australia to work over there. I looked at the employment scenario down under and it looked very favourable. I decided that it was time to do something that would get me to that place. It was at this time did I come to know that the first hurdle to cross was the IELTS.
I wasn't such a good candidate at language in school because, the very essence of it used to put me off. But now, the chance of working in an alien environment made me excited enough to prepare for it.
The Preparation
I had to take up the General Module (as I came to know). I looked up the internet for information on what to prepare, how to prepare and many other related things that were of very good use. With this info, I visited a bookstore and got a book which was made by Cambridge specifically for IELTS. It had audio cd for the speaking section, reading section devoted to both academic and general modules, a section on writing which showed what parts make up a good answer.
I trained a lot from this book. I took up practice tests right from the book. After a few days, the syllabus became ingrained in me. I also downloaded podcasts from BBC Documentaries which gave me insights into accents of British, American, Australian and New Zealand people.
With the writing section, I wrote essays and letters each and everyday. I compared my essays with ones that were given in the Book.
In the speaking section, I made it a point to read the Newspaper everyday, loudly in my room. As a result, minor errors and other mistakes were corrected.
All this was done about one month before the exam. After that time, I never read nor studied anything else till the day of the exam. Many might say that what I did was wrong or probably unconventional, but whatever I did get me something in the end.
The Exam
While writing the exam, it's important to keep your calm. This helps you to settle down and understand what speaker says in the reading section. It helps you better if you watch a lot of BBC and try and understand the accent.
Writing should be a breeze if you have worked with a focus during the preparation. Again, it's important to keep your calm.
In the reading section, you don't have to read the entire passage. First browse through the questions to get a general idea about the content. Spend at least five minutes for this. After reading the questions, go to those paragraphs that give you the answer. That's it.
Writing, is a section that deserves some creativity. During the preparations, try to imagine a scenario and make short notes on it. If you have used a pen during the preparations, use the same pen/pencil during the exam. You don't lose the grip and can write faster. The idea is to get the maximum amount of ideas in the shortest time.
Speaking is a section that can put the jitters in you if you aren't confident enough. As I pointed out earlier, reading the newspaper everyday loudly will help you solve that problem.
Try using the short essays you prepared during the writing section. Speak them aloud without looking into it. When you can't say anything, pause for a moment, recollect the facts, and then continue. Continuous practice will make you perfect.
My Experience
My speaking exam was on the 27th of August 2015. I wasn't tensed or nervous. I thought of it as any other interview for a job. IELTS ensures very good conditions for the exam, including an ambient atmosphere.
The examiner was an old hag (funny eh!). She asked me introduce myself, which I did very easily. Then she asked me to discuss about some indoor games I played in my childhood (that was a easy one). Then she presented arguments which I tackled quite easily.
Overall, I was satisfied that I would get a good score.
The listening, reading and writing section was on the 29th of August 2015.
Again, IELTS did a good job in securing a very good venue. The headphones for the listening test were really good.
The test began at 1:00pm. The audio was quite familiar to me (all from the practice). The accent didn't bowl me out. Some of the questions were repeated, but changed in scenario. This is where BBC helped me. The listening test went well and I was happy.
The reading test too was a good one. I completed the test 20 minutes in advance and spared some time for review and correction of errors. Again, regular practice came in hand.
The writing test was a familiar one. Including a letter based on problems in a rented apartment. The second task was based on the importance of cooking. I being a passionate cook helped me tackle that as well.
Overall the exam went well. I was firm in my belief that I would get a score of band 7.0 and more.
The Result
The results were announced on my cell phone on the 11th of September, sharp at 9:00am.
I got an SMS on my phone with the scores of each band, plus the overall average. I logged into the IELTS result screen and got a snapshot of the result. This is how it was!!!
In my opinion, IELTS is an exam which deserves thorough practice. The more you practice, the better you become. All the best to all the aspirants of IELTS!!!
