IELTS listening test practice
IELTS is a globally taken English language exam. Every year, more than 3 million people prepare for this test because its scores can help them to become eligible for college admission or a visa. However, most of them struggle with the listening and reading sections. So, they try to take the IELTS mock test to prepare for the exam. Now, you might be thinking why so?
Read this article and learn how a mock test can help in the IELTS listening test practice. Also, know how it can help to ace the reading section.
A Brief About the IELTS Listening Section
The listening section is a major part of the IELTS exam. It consists of 4 audio recordings taken from-
- Everyday conversation between two people
- A speech
- Conversation between three to four people
- An academic lecture
They get 40 questions of different types. However, they have to use their listening skills and listen to the audio recordings to find the answers to all the questions. Well, they must note that they have 30 minutes to complete this task and 10 minutes extra time to transfer the answers.
This was all about the listening section of the IELTS exam. Now, let’s move to the next section and understand how a mock test can help to prepare for it.
How a Mock Test Can Help to Prepare for the IELTS Listening Section
Using a mock test for the IELTS listening test practice is the best way. It helps the aspirants in a lot of ways. However, let’s know some of them here.
Understand the Format
Firstly, aspirants have to prepare for all types of questions asked in the listening section. However, a mock test can help in this task. Experts use previously asked questions and their experience to make these mock tests. Moreover, they are taken under the same test timing to simulate the real exam conditions. Due to this, aspirants can prepare for every possible question that they may encounter in the listening section.
Developing Skills
Secondly, test takers need several skills to find the answers to all the questions. However, an IELTS mock test can help with this. Aspirants can use them to build their vocabulary and understand the English language in different accents. Moreover, it can help them to manage time as per exam conditions and improve their concentration.
Build Confidence
Today, in the world of growing technology, experts use AI in their mock tests. It helps the test takers to get their results immediately after submitting the test. In addition, they get suggestions for improvement. Due to this, they can improve their mistakes, track their progress, and build confidence for the exam.
This was all about the listening section. Now, let’s move to the next section and understand the reading section and tips to use mock tests to prepare for it.
Reading Section Test Format
The reading section is an important part of the IELTS exam. It helps to evaluate the reading skills of the test takers. It consists of 3 passages taken from magazines, newspaper articles, and some other such sources. Aspirants have 60 minutes to read them and then answer 14 types of 40 questions to ace this task.
Using an IELTS mock test for the reading section can help in the preparation. But the question is how? Let’s know some expert tips to use them.
Tips to Ace Reading Section by Using Mock Test.
The overall score of the IELTS exam depends on the performance of the test takers in each section. So, they must practice well for the reading section. However, using a mock test and try to develop some key skills mentioned below to ace this task.
Skimming and Scanning
Skimming means reading a paragraph rapidly to get a general idea or overview of the material. And, scanning is quickly reading the paragraph to find specific information like phone numbers, addresses, names, etc. Test takers must try to develop these skills while solving the mock test papers for their reading practice.
Identify Keywords
Test takers must practice finding the keywords (some words matching the questions asked in the exam) while skimming and scanning the IELTS mock test paper for practice. It will help to get all the correct answers to all questions fast and save time for the next ones.
Expand Vocabulary
Reading section passages in the mock test papers are full of lexical resources. Aspirants must practice to learn their meanings and understand how to use them. It will help them to build their vocabulary. Due to this, they can reduce the risk of struggling with new words on the exam. Hence, results in a good band score.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a mock test is the best way to prepare for the IELTS exam because experts use previously used questions and AI to prepare them. Due to this, they get familiar with the test format and get ready for every possible question. However, the question is where to find such mock test papers. Well, most aspirants choose to visit online learning platforms like Gradding.com. They provide personalized IELTS reading materials. Moreover, they take regular classes and follow several practices to prepare for every section. Due to this, aspirants boost their confidence and ace the IELTS exam.
