While many IELTS candidates focus on the primary skills tested in the exam, developing underrated skills can give you a significant edge.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most reputable assessments ever developed and is trusted by government and educational organizations around the world to ensure that individuals possess the required level of English proficiency. The exam is administered in 140 countries, and 3 million people take the test annually. Needless to say, a lot of preparation materials have been created to help eager candidates. While these materials are very helpful, we would like to share some additional skills that candidates can work on in order to improve their score.
Why is Paraphrasing Important
Paraphrasing means choosing different words that have the same or similar meaning. The IELTS test composition relies heavily on this tactic to assess language proficiency. Mastering paraphrasing will help you excel in the listening and reading modules, as it helps you understand that some words, phrases, or sentences mean essentially the same thing. Similarly, using synonyms in the writing and speaking modules to avoid repetition will help you achieve a higher score.
How to Study Paraphrase for IELTS
Study words in groups with similar meanings. Visit a website like thesaurus.com and enter a word that you would like to know more about. We suggest choosing adjectives, as these types of words can significantly elevate your speaking and writing abilities. Then, depending on how you learn, you could design a game that involves matching the synonyms. To replicate the experience of speaking or writing on the exam, write sentences using the words you have just learned.
The Value of Correct Spelling
If we were writing this article 10 years ago, spelling would not have been on our list. However, with the introduction of new technology – including spell check, texting in short form, and even voice-to-text programs – we notice many of our students no longer value the lost art of correct spelling. Despite modern conveniences, you could lose significant points on the exam if you overlook this. To avoid throwing away marks, candidates must commit to using words in their full and correct form each and every time they write. In addition, you should practice commonly misspelled English words.
Not to mention, correct spelling will help you infinitely in the future when filling out forms, writing notes, or texting your boss!
Familiarity with Sentence Structure
In English, sentences are typically structured with a subject-verb-object order, where the subject performs the action of the verb, and the object receives the action. Simple sentences may consist of just a subject and a verb, while more complex sentences include additional elements such as objects, complements, and adverbs to provide more detail. Sentences can be expanded using conjunctions to connect clauses, forming compound or complex sentences. Modifiers like adjectives and adverbs are used to provide additional description or context. Sentence structures can vary in length and complexity depending on the desired meaning or tone.
Simply put, once you learn the pattern, you can use it for anything!
The Ability to Engage
Being engaging means keeping people interested and involved when you talk or write. It’s about sharing ideas in a clear, lively way that makes others want to listen, respond, or join in. Engaging people use good communication, ask questions, and connect with their audience.
Being engaging in conversation or writing can significantly enhance the perception of your language skills. When you actively participate and maintain an interesting flow, it shows that you can express ideas clearly and respond with relevant details, highlighting your fluency and command of vocabulary. Engaging speakers or writers also demonstrate the ability to adapt their language to the context, using varied sentence structures, tone, and vocabulary, which signals a deeper understanding of the language. This ability to keep others interested and involved suggests not only that you are proficient, but also that you can communicate effectively, making your language skills appear stronger and more sophisticated.
A person with an engaging personality is someone who is friendly, lively, and easy to talk to. They make others feel comfortable and interested by being attentive, positive, and genuinely curious about others. Their warmth and enthusiasm draw people in, and they often keep conversations fun. Showing enthusiasm and using positive body language also helps make interactions more lively and inviting – and can result in a better score!
Patience, the Most Underrated Skill
A patient person can perform better on an exam by staying calm and focused throughout the test. Patience allows them to carefully read and understand each question, reducing the likelihood of making hasty mistakes. They can manage their time effectively, not rushing through sections and allowing themselves enough time to think through difficult questions. Patience also helps them stay composed when faced with challenging questions, enabling them to think clearly and solve problems without getting frustrated. This thoughtful approach leads to better performance and a higher likelihood of success.
To improve patience during a test, practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing to stay calm and focused. Manage your time wisely by pacing yourself, ensuring you don’t rush through questions. Stay positive and remind yourself that taking your time to think through each question carefully will lead to better results.
Shift Your Focus
In conclusion, while many IELTS candidates focus on the primary skills tested in the exam, developing underrated skills like paraphrasing, spelling, sentence structure, engagement, and patience can give you a significant edge. Mastering paraphrasing enhances your ability to comprehend and express ideas effectively, while correct spelling ensures that you don’t lose valuable marks. Understanding sentence structure improves both your written and spoken responses, making them more coherent and sophisticated. Being engaging allows you to connect with your audience, highlighting your language fluency, while patience ensures you approach the exam calmly and thoughtfully, avoiding rushed mistakes. By focusing on these often-overlooked skills, you can boost your confidence and performance on the IELTS, ultimately increasing your chances of achieving a higher score.
Check out other blogs about IELTS:
Topics and Themes on the IELTS Exam
The Benefits of an IELTS Prep Course
Clearly IELTS Intermediate
Original price was: $995.00.$549.00Current price is: $549.00.This online language learning program is designed for students wishing to improve their score on the IELTS General Training examination. The program is best suited for students wishing to score between bands 6 and 8. The program combines practical exam knowledge, grammar lessons and extensive practice materials in order to prepare students for the exam.
This program does not require approval from the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.
