Secrets of the preparation for the IELTS: «Do not be afraid to look crazy"

IELTS - one of the most popular exams in English, which is able to plunge into a light shock, even a person fluent in the language. On this and not only told us one of the witnesses, who had to take it.

What's your name and what do you do?

My name is Vlad and I engaged in IT. He worked 6 years of ERP-system developer, six months ago became a business analyst - for it also.

Why did you take the exam? I am going somewhere to do that?

I took the exam for immigration to Canada - namely, the Program of Quebec. There are specifics that they are interested in only the oral part - the way you perceive it by ear and how to know how to talk. Listening and Speaking modules in terms of IELTS. The Academic module is they do not need, therefore, gave normal.

Tell me, what does this do for the exam? What are its characteristics?

IELTS - the only English exam this kind, which I handed over, so it is hardly able to give a good comparative description. But from what I've heard about and seen on the TOEFL exam French, they are quite specific, and all of them will not be easy to pass for a high score even a native speaker, if he is not ready for them. In IELTS most welter has contributed logic, they used (or rather, it is assumed that you will use) when answering questions - it is clearly different from the usual, which I used to use in Everyday life.

As I decided to prepare? What to use?

As for performance, especially on business trips, as well as personal travel, I always use English, I was a pretty good opinion about your level. Therefore, I decided not to pay for courses and just hone their skills under the exam format. Considered it the most logical way to pump up all available jobs samples (from prior years and just test available on the official exam online). As a result, I found about twenty, who was listening, and then answered questions.

As for the spoken part, I found a list of topics that offer carry on a conversation, and spoke aloud, imagining that in front of me the person asking the question. Well, you can even ask a friend to play this role for maximum immersion in the image.

How long will it take and What was the result?

I quite intensively, for 2-4 hours every day, preparing for two weeks. Surrendered to the total score of 7.0 (maximum - 9.0), separate the modules that were the case: Speaking - 7.0, Listening - 8.5, Writing - 4.0, Reading - 8.0. At that time, and Writing Reading I'm not worried at all, and I'm not ready for them completely, and served, not particularly trying, so even been surprised, that for reading received good score. I can not say that on the whole was satisfied with the result, for Speaking I would like to get at least half a point more. Even he filed an appeal, but it did not change anything.

You handed over only part of a complete examination, and if I had to prepare for all parts, you'd be able to do it in 2 weeks?

I doubt it. Even preparing for the half of the exam, I do not pass it the way I wanted. On the other hand, if you deprive yourself of all other life, and from morning to evening train - I think, the result may well be 2 weeks. The main thing to sustain.

What you recommend to pay attention in the preparation of the other?

On approximate to the real exam conditions. Needless to say a "yes it is still the same" or "well, there's obvious." Recreate the entire situation as a whole, count the time that is counted himself any error - and get an idea about your score on the exam.

Of the more specific tips I can share about the module Speaking, which is widely regarded as the most difficult. The fact is that even though the topic and given by an examiner, within it can speak any fantasies that come to your mind. The truth is not interesting to anyone.

So, if you are asked to tell us what you think about the beaches, you can explain that you hate the sand and at the same time all those who resting on them, or that you live in a hole, which is dug ourselves on the beach yourself, or you're out there sell shawarma, and the beach - your breadwinner.

The stupidity of the story no one cares, and you get your high score if it was correct, and you have used non-trivial words and designs. Therefore, it is not so difficult to procure a dozen flowery sayings and phrases that will be universal so that they can easily be screwed in almost every monologue. Information garbage, just water (this skill perfected by the majority still in the university) refined adjectives suitable to almost any noun - do not be afraid to look crazy.

That's dedication and imagination help to cope with even the most complex and unusual tasks. Including prepare for the exam in just 2 weeks. But you have taken the IELTS? Share your experiences and best practices in the comments.