For students who hail from countries where English is not the first language, it is necessary that they take English proficiency tests. The only exception to that rule is a merit based waiver, which however is not universally accepted. To qualify for the waiver the student has to have impressive scores in English language.
These tests are conducted either by the universities where students seek admission or they take a more universal approach to the matter by accepting English proficiency tests like IELTs or TOEFL. International English Testing System or IELTS as it is commonly known is jointly controlled by the University of Cambridge, British Council, IELTS Australia. These tests are valid across a number of educational institutions in the Australia, Canada, UK and New Zealand. Increasingly, it has also become acceptable in American Institutions.
Breakdown of IELTS
This test is conducted to gauge language skills across four different aspects of the matter viz: listening, speaking, writing and reading. It can be taken 4 times every month and tests centres are present in over 130 countries. Students who aspire to be admitted at foreign seats of higher education cannot ignore the importance of IELTS. As already mentioned the tests are conducted to comprehensively assess language skills, a student need to be confident about all the aspects. Often students are most apprehensive of cracking the writing test; here we will share some simple tips that will help IELTS examinees.
Tips to take the Written Test
The biggest mistake made by students is that they do not read questions properly before answering them; this is where most of them falter. Always take your time to read questions completely before answering them. Unless you understand the question there are poor chances that you will be able to get to the pith of the necessity and even lesser chance that you answer it satisfactorily. Therefore always read questions.
Time is crucial in every English language tests; you will be penalized for writing fewer words than indicated, which is why do your best to provide the minimum number of words to the answers as indicated. There are usually two tasks in IELTS and the first task is shorter and easier to answer compared to the second task, which is longer and gives you a better chance at scoring more. You should thus emphasize on providing a through answer to it.
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