How do you prepare for the IELTS exam (writing component)?

IETLS Preparation Good preparation before sitting any test is essential if you want to maximise your chances of getting a high score. Below we explore some strategies we consider helpful. How do you prepare for the IELTS exam?

Know what to expect:

Familiarise yourself with the format of the test so you can work more efficiently on test day and avoid any surprises.
Learn how your work will be graded, that is, understand the grading criteria (band descriptors) and identify which areas of your writing you need to improve to achieve your desired score.
Practice your writing using old IELTS test prompts and compare your answers to good sample answers. Rewrite your work so you can improve the aspects of your writing which were not that strong the first time around.

Timing:

Time yourself each time you write an answer to a task 1 or task 2 prompt. Remember that you have 20 minutes to write an answer to task 1 and 40 minutes to write an answer to task 2.
Always leave enough time, about 5 minutes, for proofreading your work. This will help you catch mistakes or typos.

Further tips:

Make sure to read the prompt of the exercise well. If you don’t answer the question that is being asked to you, you will lose points.
Get used to planning an outline before you start writing your essay for Task 2. If you do this, you will have an easier time organizing your ideas and arguments logically.
Ensure that your writing has cohesion and structure. Use paragraphs and linking words.
If possible, ask a friend to proofread your work. This will allow you to get some useful feedback on your writing.

We hope these strategies help you in preparation for your IELTS test! Did we miss any? Interested in increasing your IELTS score?