IELTS Practice Tests

Taking IELTS practice tests is the perfect way to prepare for your proper IELTS exam. Not only do they give you the chance to test your knowledge, they also give you an opportunity to get to know the format of the exam itself. There are plenty of options available for these mock exams. However, each will give you perfect head start on passing your exam.

How many should I take?

This question has no set answer as it all depends on the individual. It is recommended however to take as many practice tests as possible during the leadup to your exam. As there are four separate sections to the exam it is important to focus on each area separately. However, if you feel you are weaker in a certain section of the exam then you should look at dedicating more time to studying an practicing for that area.

It is a good idea to take IELTS practice tests after each lesson as you progress through your preparation course. This will allow you to see your progress as you study. The results from each test will also give you a good idea on areas in which you need to focus on, be it writing, reading, speaking or listening.

How to practice for IELTS reading test?

The reading section of IELTS is one of the easier sections of the exam to prepare for. Reading is something we all do, every day. From reading newspapers, magazines, books and even ingredient labels on food products, it all helps.

The key with the IELTS written exam itself is to take time to read the question properly. This will help you find the answer to the question. The benefit of preparing by reading as much material as possible (related and unrelated). This will give you a good overview of different phrasing, styles of writing and sentence structure. The complexities of English are always a main focus within the reading section of the exam. Having a wide knowledge of how English can be written is key.

How to practice for IELTS written test?

Practicing for the written test is best done using a IELTS practice test. The structure of the question is a key factor to focus on when taking your exam and so looking at practice tests is perfect.

There are a few key points to remember when taking these practice tests as well as the real exam. The first is being concise, direct and clear with your answer. The exam is focused on your ability to use the English language effectively rather than the amount you can write.

A great way to prepare your answer is to create an outline before you start writing. Make a note of the points you want to make and the order in which to do so. While this may seem like an unnecessary use of your time during a timed exam, it will help you greatly. As you start to write as you will know where you a heading with your answer.

One of the main areas where a lot of candidates fall down on is proofreading of their answer. Take a few minutes towards the end of your allotted time to reread your answer and correct any grammatical or spelling errors. And most importantly, make sure your answer makes sense!

Practicing for IELTS written exams can be done without an official practice test if you wish. Writing short articles or blogposts in your spare time will give you a great opportunity to practice your skills. Send your written pieces to English speaking friends or family for their feedback, or post them online for critique. All the feedback you receive will help you increase your knowledge and skills.

IELTS Practice Tests

A wide range of practice tests for all sections of the IELTS exam are available online. It is important to make sure that you are purchasing or downloading official IELTS practice tests however. The exam contents can change and some ‘free’ versions may be out of date or incorrect in their content. This can mean that you spend time practising for a style of question which will never appear in the official exam.

How to Practice for IELTS?

The best overall way to prepare for your IELTS exam is to signup for an IELTS course. Cactus offer 2 and 4-week IELTS preparation courses online which are perfect for those who are just starting on their IELTS journey, or those who just need a refresher. Taking practice tests alongside these courses will help fast-track your learning and give you a complete view of what is expected during the exam.

Ready to Prepare for IELTS?