Have you ever had that weird feeling after an exam? That feeling
where you know that you did really badly on the test? Well, every student knows
this feeling. There are times that no matter how hard we prepare for the test,
we still get these minor mistakes that make us feel disappointed with our exam.
For people taking the IELTS or the International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) exam, committing a mistake should and always be avoided. Getting
target scores are very stressful since the IELTS is a requirement in working
and studying abroad. The pressure of getting that score is high. Thus, all
candidates make sure they are ready to take the test.
Getting a mistake is
normal but can be avoided. People do different strategies to avoid getting one,
most especially on the IELTS test. Now, what could be the common mistakes IELTS test takers do in the test? Here is a
list of mistakes IELTS test takers carelessly do in the exam.
1. Misspelling. There are a lot of
commonly misspelled words in the English vocabulary and making this type of
mistake in the exam is really unacceptable. Do not use words if you are unsure
of its spelling. Instead, think of its synonym or a phrase that could mean the
same. Check the following slide to be aware of the 20 words that are often
misspelled.
2. Writing below
the minimum number of words. To make sure that you reach the minimum number of words in the
IELTS writing section, provide the introduction, two body paragraphs and a good
conclusion. Check some useful IELTS essay writing at this post.
3. Banking on
the content not on the length. Writings are evaluated on how the task has been answered.
Trying to make the writing long but with no valuable content gets a low score.
Candidates should focus on developing ideas not making unnecessary sentences.
4. Giving responses
immediately without brainstorming. Some candidates often commit this mistake. When they think
that they are familiar with the topic, they do not read the whole task and just
give a response. Take time to understand, brainstorm and respond.
5. Lack of
transitions. Transition words
make the response smooth and have a good flow. In this case, you can relate or
present the data and opinion properly to the examiner.
6. Not following
instructions. Most of the time,
candidates neglect this and just focus on answering. There are specific tasks
on these instructions that must be completed. Ignoring such can cause a huge
penalty on the candidates’ scores.
7. Mispronunciation. Pronunciation
matters… a lot! You do not need to have a perfect American accent in speaking.
Your pronunciation should be clear. Words have to come out clearly to be
understood.
8. Poor
vocabulary. You need to have a
wide range of vocabulary to understand and use English well. Start building a
strong vocabulary bank by reading a lot and writing down new words.
9. Not familiar
with question types. In review classes
and even review manuals, question types are described. Knowing what type of
questions to be asked is important to know which skill to use on that
particular type. Being familiar with the format of the IELTS test can save
time.
10. Not managing
the time very well. The test has a time
limit. Manage your time by skipping questions that are hard, brainstorming in a
matter of seconds and even applying skills like skimming and scanning. Thus,
time is gold in the IELTS.
Knowing the common mistakes above can help future candidates in
avoiding them. Always aim for a high score in the IELTS. Do not just settle
with the target score. Candidates can always do better than just hitting the
target score. Good luck.
IELTS is not easy. Only students comprehension and analytical skills are important. Constant practice and confidence are needed for the IELTS. Review and train harder since the test fee is not that cheap. It is need to give it all.
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