10 REASONS CANDIDATES STILL FAIL THE IELTS TEST

Written by: Luisa Asidi

There are various reasons as to why people fail to get the desired score in their IELTS test. Here are a few of them;

1. Booking the Test before Preparation

This is the most common mistake that candidates – especially first time IELTS test takers, make when attempting their IELTS test. They schedule their IELTS test before making preparations for a study guide.

Many candidates, who book their IELTS test before preparation, have no prior knowledge about the IELTS test. Some candidates are not aware of the different modules in the IELTS test. Due to this, they end up booking the wrong module for the IELTS test.

It is advisable that before a candidate books an IELTS test, he/she should be fully prepared for the test.

2. Lack of Preparation

      Most candidates especially in countries where one of the primary languages is English which is a borrowed language to the country, they have this belief that the IELTS test is a simple English test that requires little to no preparation. They are not aware that the IELTS test is different from the normal English tests.

 The IELTS test is not easy test and it requires a good amount of preparation for the test most especially for non-native English speakers.

 If you want to pass the IELTS test, you need to be fully prepared with the right resources for the IELTS test. You should attempt a number of complete or sample IELTS tests online or in books.

3. Over Confidence

      There are a couple of candidates who are over-confident in their English listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities. These are some of the people who fail the IELTS test.

      During the test, some people over estimate their abilities and end up making mistakes that they would not have made originally. they might forget to do some important things like, forgetting to read the instructions before answering the questions, forgetting to check their spellings and grammar, writing too much in a particular writing task and end up having little time left to write the other task or writing an answer in the wrong question.

      It is important to calmly approach the IELTS test when attempting it whereby the candidate will a have a relaxed brain to process the information in the questions and write correctly.

4. Low Confidence Level

Anxiety and fear are ways a person will have a negative result in the IELTS test. This usually happens when the candidate has little confidence in his/her preparation process for the IELTS test.

This can also happen as a result of a candidate’s past failure in the IELTS test. Rather than looking for better ways to prepare and answer the IELTS questions, he/she continues to dwell too much on bad results.

Candidates with low confidence level will find themselves struck in series of failures if they do not attempt to build their confidence. To improve a candidates confidence level, the candidate has to attempt taking some breathing exercises before writing and speaking during the different IELTS tests. Also, taking some practise tests can help in improving confidence in the candidate.

5. Poor Time Management Skills

Having skills to manage time in the IELTS test is a major key to success in IELTS. Poor time management skills can make a candidate rush to answer the questions which will possibly result in low scores.

Attempting practice tests within the allocated time limit prior to your main IELTS test day is a way you can improve your time management skills and avoid any embarrassments on test day. Also, having a plan of how much time you want to spend on each section in the different IELTS tests can help to guide you through the test.

6. Inability to Understand the Diversity of the English Language

Internationally, there is a variety of English Language curriculum taught around the world. Problems could therefore arise for candidates, who have no idea about certain variances in English Language in different countries.

For instance, the type and accent of English that is used in some countries like America, Canada, and Britian are different from one another. In other words, some words have various ways in which they are written, such as labour, favour, organisation in British English, but these are spelt as labor, favour, organization in American English. This may confuse non-native speakers who are unaware of these differences as well as grammatical rules involved in using these different styles of English language.

Lacking a proper understanding of these differences can pose a challenge to the candidates thereby resulting in poor results.

7. Lack of Appropriate Study Guide and Resources

In order to prepare for the IELTS test, you need to have at least one or two official IELTS materials that can serve as a study guide for your preparation towards your IELTS test.

Candidates should source for good IELTS preparation materials either online or in books. They can also register for classes online or in certified IELTS learning centres.

8. Weak Study Ethic

Candidates with poor study ethic who have no clear goal, always end up not getting their desired band score for the IELTS test.

A candidate has to have a plan of study for the preparation process towards the IELTS test. You must fully commit yourself to study for the IELTS test if you want to have the band score you require.

9. Lack of Concentration

When preparing for the IELTS test, candidates have to be focused in order to understand and interpret questions from practise tests.

During the test, candidates often lose concentration, most especially in the listening test. It is advisable that candidates try to block out external noise that could make them distracted. They should also try to give their utmost attention to the task given in their IELTS test.

10. Acquiring too much Knowledge

There are numerous sources online– YouTube channels, Instagram, Facebook pages, and LinkedIn pages, that offer IELTS centred information to candidates.

When you source for IELTS materials from all of these pages, it could create a problem for them. You may have an overload of information thereby making your brain puzzled and burdened with excess information.

It is therefore best to follow a particular source of IELTS preparation information that be a useful guide for you when attempting your IELTS test.

Enrol for our physical or online classes to receive the best guidance towards your success in the IELTS test.

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