The dos and don’ts of IELTS for native speakers
If you’re a native English speaker who’s planning to take the IELTS test, you could be forgiven for thinking that sitting your test will be a walk in the park.
Now, I don’t want to alarm you, but it is a test and just like all tests, the more prepared you are, the better you will do. Sure, English might be your native language but when was the last time you sat a three hour exam? When was the last time you really thought about your range of vocabulary while you’re speaking? Or your grammatical structures while you were writing? Let’s be honest: possibly never! Preparation for IELTS is the key to success. In some cases, native speaker test takers have actually scored lower because they underestimated the preparation required.
So, what should you be doing right now to prepare? Make sure you understand the test format. You should know the basics. It’s split into four sections and takes three hours to complete. You should also know the nitty-gritty details, like how long you have for each section of the writing test and how you are going to be scored. Try as many practice questions and answers as you can find. This will hone your exam technique into a well-oiled machine. Download our study resources. They’ll bring you up to speed as to what to expect on test day and you’ll find tips from examiners and a checklist for preparation.
It’s a sure way to make sure there are no surprises to throw you off on the day of your test. And finally, don’t forget that the examiner can only score you on the actual language you use in the test. So, as you’re practising, make sure you are paying attention to the full range of your language ability. Don’t just use simple sentences with the same vocabulary: Mix it up! This is your native language, so show it off.