IELTS Steps & Preparation Tips

So I've been preparing a few documents for postgraduate submissions and I've noticed some of them do require an English Proficiency Test Result such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. IELTS stands for International English Language Test System and the method of testing is recognized and approved in all institutions.
You're lucky if the university you're applying to can waive IETLS and use your SPM 1119 results, or known as GCE-O Levels. The universities I was interested in did not waive IELTS and I decided to sit for my IELTS exam and get it done with.  Despite UTP conducting lectures in English as the main language, I couldn't waive it. But after experiencing the IELTS process, it is fairly easy and a high band is possible with the right strategies :D 

STEP 1: Booking a test date

There are 2 types of IELTS exams: General and Academic. If you're pursuing studies abroad, Academic is what you'll be sitting for. Otherwise, General's the way to go.

You can always check for dates of the tests in the British Council page and choose that suits you. You can also select locations that you are nearest to. Now, my case is a bit different as I didn't register through BC. I took it at International Yayasan College Melaka (ICYM) as it is one of the locations in South Peninsular that BC holds its exams at. I registered directly with them. You have to register manually and they don't accept online application. But if you're applying through BC, I believe online applications are acceptable.

Usually the exams are split into 2 days. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on the same day while Speaking is on a different day. So just check the dates properly and plan your journey well ;) 

STEP 2: Payment and Login Code

Now that you're registered with BC, you'll get your own online tutorial code to login online and begin your "training". 

Here is practically where the fun begins. 

I highly recommend you to do ALL of the tutorials and watch ALL of the video tips. They are seriously, seriously helpful and you can even track your progress and compare with the average candidate. I found this to be really great in identifying areas I'm weak in. And they are pretty accurate too. 

STEP 3: Sitting for the Exams

Once you're prepped and loaded with IELTS lessons in your head, you're good to go! The exam consists of 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. I've outlined some general tips on how to score for each section: 

Listening: 

This part has 4 sections you'll have to answer while listening to a pre-recorded conversation. Time: 40 minutes. Bear in mind the voices on the recording will have European accents (British, Scottish, French) or plain ol' American. So make sure you familiarize yourself with these kinds of slang and different word usage. 

The most fun way to get used to it? WATCH MOVIES AND SERIES! It's time to get out your How I Met Your Mother or Agents of Shield or even 1995's Pride and Prejudice series and familiarize yourself with how those Westerners talk. 

Reading:

This part also has 4 sections and you get 1 hour to read all 4 longgggg passages and complete the questions. A good tip I adapted for this exam was reading the first and last paragraph first. And then you read the first sentence (topic sentence) of each paragraph. Don't take too long to read everything. Most of the information are just an elaboration of the main point which is what the questions target. 

I particularly loved this part because I'm such an avid reader ;) 

Writing: 

This section requires you to write 2 types of essays: a short analysis of any trends/graphs they give and a longer essay of your opinions towards a topic given. Write cohesive sentences and never forget topic sentences. Read up on great ways to write formal reports and brush up on general information. It's a pretty straightforward test and never forget to give a wide variety of vocabulary. 

Speaking:

This section only takes 15 minutes and you'll be talking about general topics. This part is a little tricky in my opinion if you're not used to conversing in English, because you definitely can't practise in 2 weeks on how to improve your speaking skills. This section is just a snapshot of how well you currently speak in English. 

So if you're still young (at heart), begin practising like right now! Every moment counts in improving your English and always always get feedback from people you're talking to. Be open on their feedback and practise some more. The more you read and listen to English, the more your brain picks up proper grammar and you'll slowly adapt to it.

Step 4: Results

So after the grueling sessions you just went through, all you have to do now is WAIT. Results are usually out after 2 weeks. You can check online here and wait for the test form a few days after. Usually you go back to your test centre and collect the test form or have it couriered to you. Test forms are the only forms universities accept, not the online results. 

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So I hope these tips help you in some way. All the best and have faith in yourself! And may your dreams in learning/living abroad come true :) 

Note: I didn't take any extra classes and just used the RoadsToIelts tutorials and managed to get a band 8. So those REALLY helped. That and also reading and regularly conversing in English haha. These methods are free so make use of it! Otherwise BC would charge you around RM990 for its classes. Imagine the amount of books you can buy *swoons*