8 Myths About IELTS That You Should Know

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS, in short, is a global test for literacy and proficient in the English language. Many students who take the test usually plan to study or work in countries where English is the first language. However, there are also many rumours and myths about the IELTS tests.

If you’re planning to take it, this article will help to enlighten you on the myths you should not be believing.

1. Different Countries Offer Different IELTS Exams

As the IELTS is a globally standardised testing system, the IELTS exams are the same regardless of what country you take it in. An IELTS Singapore exam will be the same as an IELTS exam in England, Japan, America, and any other country.

2. You Don’t Need Courses to Prepare for The Exams

Although, yes, you can prepare yourself with self-study, it is always better to take IELTS preparation course if you want to score exceedingly well. This does not mean that the test is tough, but these courses will help you by offering you tips and tricks for a better score.

3. IELTS Can Only Be Taken Once

No, you can actually take the test as many times as you want. There is no hard and fast rule that you need to take the test only once in your lifetime. Try and try until you are satisfied with the results of the test. However, remember, you need to pay for each test too.

4. More Practice Tests Mean a Better Score

No, this is not true. No matter how many tests you give to prepare for the final, if you don’t know the strategies, you can’t score well. This, however, does not mean that practice is not important, it is, but, knowing the right strategies are important too. The main aim of the test is to know your proficiency in the language, it is not how well you know the test itself.

5. Knowing Different English Accents is important

The oral and conversational portion of the IELTS test is important, but it does not mean you need to adapt to the western accent at all. Use your natural accent, but speak well, and this is all you need to pass the test. The examiner will check your proficiency in the test, not how well you can fake an accent.

6. Only The Oral Component is Important

This is wrong, all the four components are as important as the other. For you to pass the test, you need to pass all the four components by scoring above the specific benchmark provided.

7. 7. Quality Over Speed

Yes, the quality of your answers is important, but speed is important too. There is a time limit for each part, which you need to take care of too. Make sure your speed is fast enough to complete each question at the allocated time.

8. My Score Should Be 7.0 to Pass

It is not about passing or failing the IELTS, it is about your proficiency in the English language. Some degrees do require you to get a score of 7.0 or above, and some don’t. So, in the end, it is all about what you are taking the IELTS Singapore exam for.