IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international English language proficiency assessment system. It operates in more than 190 countries and is used in business, migration services, government, and other institutions. Having a certificate of successful completion of this exam increases the chances of finding a high-paying job, obtaining a visa, or receiving a higher position.

However, passing this exam is not easy. It includes test questions, listening, and a writing task. The exam is conducted in many countries by certified centers. It can be taken online or by visiting one of these organizations.

Assessment Criteria

When taking the IELTS exam, you can score from 1.0 to 9.0 points, with increments of 0.5 points. Accordingly, 1.0 means you are a Starter and do not know English at all. And 9.0 corresponds to C2 level proficiency, indicating perfect command of the language. A good score is considered to be above 6.0. This is sufficient for presenting the certificate when seeking employment or at a migration center when requesting a visa.

The exam consists of 4 stages: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You receive from 1.0 to 9.0 points for each stage, and the overall score is the average of all stages.

Tips for Preparing for the IELTS

On average, taking this exam takes 2 hours. But the preparation process can last months or even years. However, there are a few tips that can help you accelerate your preparation and complete it in 3 months.

Watch Thematic Videos on YouTube

There are several English-language channels on the popular video hosting site for those who will take the IELTS. For example:

• Fastrack IELTS;
• All Ears English;
• IELTS Liz.

The hosts of these channels have taken this exam more than once. In their videos, they analyze the most common types of questions and texts for listening. They also discuss topics for essays and give useful tips about text structure, length, style, and so on.

Find a Tutor Specialized in IELTS

Unfortunately, for accelerated preparation, it will not be enough to hire an English-speaking tutor. You will need a specialist who has taken this exam and is familiar with all the requirements for preparation. The task of such a tutor is to prepare hundreds of exam samples for you. In the process, you will receive tips and hints from the tutor, being oriented exclusively on questions in the IELTS format.

Create a Study Schedule and Stick to It

To go through a hundred variations of this exam, you need at least 50 lessons. Add to this additional lessons on theory and grammar, as well as analysis of essays and listening. Based on this, you will need one lesson every weekday. This is a minimum of 60 two-hour lessons. Only this way can you approach a high score on the exam in just 3 months (90 days).

For example, you can study in the evenings after work or school and rest on the weekends.

Immerse Yourself in English Completely

Surround yourself with an English-speaking environment. For example, set your smartphone and computer to English. Switch to watching movies and series in English without subtitles. And regularly communicate with your teacher in English. The main thing is not to immerse yourself in studying complex dialects. As IELTS often contains questions with classic English grammar, not considering dialects from London, Liverpool, or New York.

Use Specialized Literature

Finally, you can find many examples of such exams on the Internet. But don’t forget that there are special books for IELTS training. They focus on the types of tasks that will be on the exam. They also contain topics for essays and listening from past exam issues.

All this will help you prepare for the IELTS in 3 months, even if your English proficiency is weak.