Are you looking to work or study in an English-speaking country? If so, the IELTS exam is likely a requirement. This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about the IELTS exam – from what it is to how to book your test and practice for each section. We’ll also provide some helpful resources to get you started!

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognized test that assesses a person’s proficiency in the English language. It is accepted by more than 10,000 organizations worldwide, including universities and employers. The exam consists of four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

How to take an IELTS test

The first step in preparing for the IELTS exam is booking your test. To book your test in Canada, specifically Vancouver, visit ieltscanada.ca. You will be required to provide some personal information such as name and address as well as payment information. Once your booking is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details of your IELTS examination.

Practice for each section 

Once you’ve booked your test, it’s time to start studying! Each section of the exam requires different preparation methods:

• Listening: To practice for this section, try listening to English radio shows and podcasts as well as watching movies and TV shows with subtitles. This will help you get used to hearing different English accents.
• Reading: For the reading section, practice with texts such as newspaper articles, academic papers and textbooks. Try to understand the meaning of each sentence, and make sure you can answer questions correctly.
• Writing: To prepare for the writing section, read sample essays native English speakers have written. Please take note of their structure and style to apply them in your writing.
• Speaking: For the speaking section, practice conversing with native English speakers. This will help you get used to using more advanced words and grammar structures as well as different accents. To do this, we encourage you to join online language-sharing groups. Facebook has many you can access for free, and it might even help you build some relationships!

Free Study Guides

Fortunately, many free resources are available to help you prepare for the IELTS exam. The British Council offers a free online study guide with sample tests, tips and advice for each exam section. You can also find many practice tests available online. Lastly, ieltscanada.ca/ielts-preparation/ offers free online tutorials and in-person classes to help you prepare for the exam.

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of what the IELTS exam is and how to prepare for it. Good luck with your studies!