How difficult is IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It assesses an individual’s English language skills. Individuals take the IELTS Exam for various purposes, either to study, Migrate or for job purposes. The test helps you gauge your English language skills.
The IELTS exam scoring follows a band format. A score of 1.0 is the lowest, with 9.0 the highest. There is no pass or fail in this test. The difficulty here depends on your score target. A band score of 6 to 7.5 is not that tough if you have a reasonably good flair for Basic English Comprehension skills. However, if you aim for a high band score, Exams and preparation may get hard.
Coming to the direct question, how difficult is the IELTS? It depends on various factors, some of them are as below:
- What is your purpose for taking the IELTS?
- What is the band score you are aiming to derive?
- How Much time do you have in hand to prepare?
For individuals who are good at English, IELTS is easy. However, that is not the case for all. IELTS Test is a core English language test. It covers Listening, Reading, Writing, and speaking skills in the English Language. No matter how good you are at your English, In IELTS, it is not only one specific skill but its overall language skill.
IELTS has a standard format for each section. It is essential to understand each of these section formats in detail to prepare accordingly. The test schedule of these sections depends in the center. Generally, the listening, reading, and writing tests will be on the same day. The speaking test is either seven days before or after these tests.
The best way to score well in any examination is to prepare and practice. Also, understanding the exam format is equally important. Some preparation tips are as below.
- Gather all the information concerning IELTS 2022.
- Get familiar with the type of questions asked in each section.
- Analyze the key areas where you should focus more.
- Practice with mock Papers and regularly evaluate your score.
IELTS Exam challenges
Stress and Time Management: You should complete three tests back-to-back on the same day. Yes, you heard it right. There will be a brief break time in between. The total time allotted for the three tests (Reading, Writing, and Listening) is roughly around 2:45 minutes.
Format: Each section of the tests has a varied pattern of assessment. Hence, prepare and take mock tests as much as you can.
ØReading: This section of the test consists of 40 questions and a time duration of 60 minutes.
ØWriting: Not everybody who speaks well has good writing skills. This is where the writing challenge lies. You will have two tasks in the writing assessment. You are supposed to interpret the provided visual data like charts, graphs, etc in Task 1. Task 2 is an argumentative essay on the given topic. You have a total of 60 minutes to complete the tests.
ØListening: In this section of the paper, you will have 30 minutes to solve 40 questions on four listening tasks. The task involves you hearing the recording.The challenge here is there will be only one opportunity to hear the recording.
ØSpeaking: You have two parts where an examiner would determine your speaking skills. You have to speak about a topic for 2 minutes. The challenge here is to avoid repetition and to keep up the flow.
Aim for a high score, source all the study materials, prepare well, and practice. Good Luck with your IELTS Exam 2022.
