Ace the IELTS: British Council Offers 5 Easy IELTS Test Tips for Students Preparing to Study Abroad

Manila, Philippines – For Filipino students dreaming of studying abroad, taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the global benchmark for English proficiency, opens doors to some of the most prestigious universities worldwide. The British Council, through its IELTS Ready Premium, helps test-takers by providing must-have tools, and resources, including easy yet helpful IELTS test tips to confidently prepare for the exam and move closer to reaching their academic goals.

The IELTS Ready Premium is the British Council’s free support tool where test-takers access expert IELTS test tips, personalized study plans, and mock tests to tackle common challenges like time management, test anxiety, and complex question types. Covering all key skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—the tool equips students to build the confidence and skills they need to ace the IELTS exam.

Backed by research and insights from actual test-takers, the British Council shares 5 proven IELTS test tips for students to approach the exam with confidence and ease:

IELTS Test Tip #1:
Know the IELTS test format.

Knowing what to expect is half the battle won. The IELTS Ready Premium includes well-organized, easy-to-follow exercises for each section—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—that mirror the actual exam, ensuring students are fully prepared for what is to come on exam day.

“The free materials from the British Council provided me the familiarisation to navigate the test, and gave me the confidence to get the band score I needed to study abroad," shares Casey Cruz, 2nd Prize Winner of IELTS Prize 2023 Philippines and now pursuing a Master of Arts in Human Rights at Mahidol University, Thailand.

IELTS Test Tip #2:
Practice with timed mock tests.

The pressure of time can trip up even the most prepared students. Timed mock exams from IELTS Ready Premium simulate the actual test environment, allowing students to practise under pressure, and build familiarity with pacing and timing across sections.

“Taking the practice tests will take away your anxiety and worry because you will get a feel of the flow and the timing of the exam, allowing you to manage your time and plan how you can answer with the time constraint,” advises Rafi Sartin, 3rd Place Winner of the IELTS Prize 2023 Philippines, and currently completing her master's degree in Marketing at Western Sydney University, Australia.

IELTS Test Tip #3:
Follow a personalized study plan.

Every student learns differently, and a customized study plan makes all the difference. With its adaptive learning features, IELTS Ready Premium helps students study at their own pace, and focus on areas that need improvement based on individual learning styles and needs.

“The tailored study plan helped me concentrate on improving specific skills, especially with the personalized videos and targeted exercises,” shares Dorothy Pugoy, now a certified medical laboratory scientist in the United States of America.

IELTS Test Tip #4:
Focus on strengths, and improve weaknesses.

Knowing what works and what doesn’t is key to effective exam preparation. The IELTS Ready Premium includes practice tests for listening, reading, writing, and speaking, which provides possible band scores for each section, helping students pinpoint their strengths and areas for improvement.

“Writing and reading have always been my forte but it turns out that it is the field that I needed help the most. After spending hours reading handouts during my breaks, I worked on those weak spots, while strengthening the areas I had already mastered,” recalls Tracy Salazar, who reached her target band score to study abroad for a post-baccalaureate degree.

IELTS Test Tip #5:
Learn from mistakes.

Mistakes are a natural part of learning. With model answers from test takers at various band levels and detailed feedback explaining what is right or wrong, IELTS Ready Premium helps students identify and correct errors to refine their answers.

“The practice tests gave me an idea of how I was doing so far in reaching my target score to work or study abroad. I appreciate having model answers in the subtests based on the band scores available since it gave me more ideas on composing and improving my answers,” shares Julienne Roman, who scored above her desired band level for future plans to work in the US healthcare industry.

The British Council is committed to supporting Filipino students not just in preparing for their IELTS test exams, but also confidently pursuing their dreams to study abroad. With a range of IELTS test tips, resources, and guidance through the IELTS Ready Premium, students are equipped to succeed in their studies and unlock their global career goals.

Sign up for IELTS on computer tests in select locations until December 31 to get a special price offer, gift vouchers, and access to IELTS Ready Premium. Use the promo code BCHoliday2024 when you register online at bit.ly/BCIELTSHoliday2024. To learn more about the IELTS Ready Premium’s features visit the IELTS British Council Facebook page or website.