AIYA EAST INDO’S

WEEKLY DISCUSSION
“IELTS TEST – A BRIEF INTRO AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW’’
 WHAT IS IELTS ?

• International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an international test to determine one’s
English Proficiency in Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening to English language.
• IETLS is divided into two in general. One is for an academic purpose, and the other one is for
general purposes. The one that you mostly will focus on, is the academic one.
• Most universities in Australia and British require students to reach certain level of IELTS score in
order to enter their universities. The general requirement is 6.5 in overall, with band score in each
section is no less than 6.0.
• IELTS has four sections, consisting of, Listening section, Reading section, Speaking section, and
Writing section
 HOW IS IELTS SCORED ?

IELTS Reading’s Scoring Scheme IELTS Listening’s Scoring

Scheme
OFFICIAL
IELTS
CERTIFICATE
 WHERE CAN YOU TAKE YOUR OFFICIAL IELTS
TEST IN INDONESIA ?
• IDP Education
• British Council
• IALF
 WHAT CAN YOU DO BEFORE TAKING AN
OFFICIAL IELTS TEST
• Do a lot of exercises on IELTS tests. Some good resources of IELTS: Cambridge IELTS,
Oxford IELTS, etc (You can copy the materials I used when preparing for IELTS years
ago)
• Join an intensive IELTS preparation class.
• Taking an IELTS prediction test.
• Reading or listening to other people’s IELTS experience for some tips.
 GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IELTS-
LISTENING PART
• This part is divided into 4 sections, consisting of 40 questions, that you need to complete in approximately 30 minutes.
• The first section of the test is mostly a two-speaker conversation that requires only short answers for you to choose or
fill in.
• While the second section is a monologue. But, bear in mind, that on IELTS, you can only hear the recording once and
you need to answer the given questions while listening to the tape recording. The tricky thing is, sometimes you need
to answer 5-10 questions at once on one recording.
• The third section is a conversation between more that two persons (up to four).
• The last section is another monologue, but longer.
• Unlike TOEFL, listening on IELTS is more variative. Sometimes you have to label things, fill in a procedure or form,
or multiple choice questions.
 COMMON MISTAKES OFTEN COMMITTED ON
THE LISTENING PART
• Incorrect Spelling. Even it is just one-letter wrong, it’s still counted as an incorrect
answer
• Not following instruction on question before answering. What it means is, on listening
section, they have instruction like, you only answer in one word or two words only. So, if
is a part where you can only answer using one word, but you write you answer in two
words for example-it is counted as incorrect even if both answers mean the same thing.
• Rushing to write answers on the answer sheet. Bear in mind that in IELTS, you have 10
minutes after the recording has ended to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Doing
so, you will minimalise mistakes, for example: incorrect spelling.
 PERSONAL TIPS WHEN DOING IELTS’ LISTENING TEST-CITED
FROM MY ARTICLE ON “15 IELTS TEST FROM ALBERT’’

• Always paying a deep attention to the test instructions

• Expecting for the worst possible question type
• Always setting a high target score with a good attitude
• Using time effectively whenever you are doing an IELTS listening section
• Keeping yourself calm when doing the test
 GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IELTS-
READING PART
• This part is consisted of 40 questions, packed in three sections that you must complete in
60 minutes.
• A variety of questions you might encounter on this part, including: multiple choice,
identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying writer’s views/claims
(Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features,
matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, etc.
• The passages might be taken from journals, books, or magazines. Since you may get
passage from a journal, it can become very difficult to understand the passage.
 COMMON MISTAKES OFTEN COMMITTED ON
THE LISTENING PART
• Getting yourself drown too deep into the given passage. Passages on this section can be very long to read, so it’s
best not to spend much time reading it without firstly knowing what you are asked to do with the given questions.
• Using personal guessing on the writer’s views. As you know, one of question types you might find on the section is
to determine writer’s view or claim, and you have three choices to choose-Yes, No, and Not Given. There is a thin
line that distinguishes choosing No from Not Given or vice versa. What test takers often do is using their own
interpretation to choose between these two options. If the statement nowhere to be found on the passage, then you
should choose Not Given, instead of No. But, the tricky thing is, the statement is often paraphrased in a way to
make you thing that it’s actually on the passage.
• Forgetting to skim through the entire part first. This might sound simple and unnecessary, but this can save you a lot
of time if you happen to find a passage with topic you are familiar with or related to your academic background.
PERSONAL TIPS WHEN DOING IELTS’ READING TEST-CITED FROM
MY ARTICLE ON “15 IELTS TEST FROM ALBERT’’

• Getting yourself familiar practising reading test even in the most unsuitable condition
• Trying to take IELTS readings as another fun way of getting new knowledge
• Labelling the answers (or lines that you think related to the answer you are looking) you
have found on the passage
 GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IELTS-
WRITING PART
• This part is consisted of two tasks that you need to finish in one hour.
• Often considered by test-takers as the most difficult part of IELTS.
• During the real test, you have freedom to navigate between task1 and task 2 in the given time.
• It is suggested to spend about 20 minutes on task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2.
• Task 1is mostly dealing with some diagrams or data in form of graph, table or chart, or some cycling
process, in which you need to fully and concisely describe in at least 150 words.
• On task 2, you are given a statement of some real problems where you are required to present your point of
view and argument to the given problem. If task I is more descriptive, this part is more narrative and
persuasive. You will need to write in at least 250 words.
 COMMON MISTAKES OFTEN COMMITTED ON
THE WRITING PART
• Using too much of fancy words inappropriately. In most cases, using simpler vocabs that fit nicely, the better.
But, it does not mean you are not allowed to use fancy words-you can. In fact, it can give you some extra
credit, but only if you use them appropriately.
• Leaving some key points mentioned in the instruction unexplained.
• Lengthy Writings. You only need to meet the word limit requirement, which is 150 words for task 1 and 250
words for task 2. Do not go too much over these limits, because in most cases, you will end up with repeating
sentences or ideas, and from what I know, the examiners will penalise your score for doing so.
• Limited use of vocab to explain things. This often occurs on task 1 where you have to describe data presented
to you. For example, don’t use sentences like ‘increasing to’ or ‘decreasing to’ repeatedly. You can, instead,
substitute them with “raising to” or “plunge to”.
 PERSONAL TIPS WHEN DOING IELTS’ WRITING TEST-
CITED FROM MY ARTICLE ON “15 IELTS TEST FROM
ALBERT’’
• Understanding the given prompts (What you can do prior to writing: Brainstorming your
ideas, identifying the key words, and making a general outline of your writing).
• Having one or two colleagues to check your writing during practice.
• Practicing under time limit.
• Reading or watching news as an additional source of knowledge. It is always nice if you
have known the given statement prior.
 GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IELTS-
SPEAKING PART
• Usually takes around 11 to 14 minutes to complete
• You may be tested at a different day from the other three parts. It all depends on the number of participants.
• This part is consisted of three tasks, each with its own time limit and purpose. The first task is about
introducing yourself and answering some general question about yourself in between 4 to 5 minutes.
• As for the second part, you will be given a task card with a particular topic written on it. Then, you will have
one minute preparation before speaking for between one and two minutes, followed by one question or two
by the examiner.
• As for the last part, it is more like a discussion where you have to deliver your ideas on a given topic and
engaged with follow-up questions by the examiner. This last for four to five minutes.
 COMMON MISTAKES OFTEN COMMITTED ON
THE SPEAKING PART
• Undertime. Bear in mind that often the examiner won’t encourage you to continue
speaking. So, make sure to use the most of the time given.
• Act and speak normally. Just treat this test just like other conversations you have with
your friends, for example. Doing so, you will sound natural having conversation with the
examiner.
 PERSONAL TIPS WHEN DOING IELTS’ SPEAKING TEST-
CITED FROM MY ARTICLE ON “15 IELTS TEST FROM
ALBERT’’
• Being fluent and accurate when speaking.
• Anticipating range of topics that may appear during the speaking test.
• It’s okay to be nervous. But think it as a proof that you have prepared for the test, and not
the opposite.
• Engaged in English-speaking environment as your practice area. For example: AIYA’s
weekly theme discussion or UniBRIDGE.