IELTS Advice: testing or training?

Many students prepare for the IELTS exam by doing lots of practice tests. But too much testing is a bad idea.

I think that there is a difference between 'testing' and 'training'.

Testing:

• shows you what your current level is
• gets you used to working in exam conditions (e.g. with a time limit)

Training:

• means that you focus on vocabulary for a particular topic
• or work on particular grammar mistakes
• or work on a technique for a particular part of the exam

A good example of training is when you practise writing introductions. Sometimes I spend a whole lesson with my students just doing different introductions. We practise one technique until students become good at it.

So, how much 'training' and how much 'testing' should you do? Well, a good idea might be to spend Monday to Friday training, preparing and working on language. Then test yourself at the weekend - if you've worked hard, you might see an improvement!

Comments

[paul]

I want to say that improvement can be seen by working hard with the good methods that you have proposed for writing, listing ,reading, speaking. Sometimes. only working hard is not enough. I used to work so hard but on the wrong track, which depressed me for a quite long time. Initially writing is a big hurdle that i think i can never cross it, but now i quite enjoy writing any topics.

[Dao Quang Duc]

Hi Simon,
Thank you very much for your advice today. I need to keep it in mind always.
Training is significantly different from merely testing.

[lulu]

Hi teacher simon,

this is really a precious advice, i like the idea of training the whole week and testing only in the weekend, i hope i am in UK to attend your classes.

i totally agree with you paul, training in right way is very important and its encourage you continue until you master the skill. i have the same problem in writing, may i know how you handle it? is it by daily practice only?

thank you

[Mayu]

Hi Lulu,

You can find information about writing in different posts that Simon give us, so looking through them and you will able to improve your writing skill. Good luck with your IELTS exam, I just took my IELTS exam yesterday, and I feel more confident when I practise and follow the techniques which encourage simon through his lessons.

Here is one of these post that can help you.

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2013/02/ielts-writing-task-2-ways-to-prepare.html

Cheers

[paul]

Hi Lulu

incorporate simon's methods into your daily writing, you will be there soon.

[Madiha]

Absolutely correct

[Cheryl]

Hi Simon,
Could you answer me a question:
when I answer the questions in Speaking Part 2, do I have to answer every single question on the card? I think it is not necessary to answer some of the questions. For example, in the question "describe a book you have read recently", one small question is "who recommend it". My answer is that nobody recommended to me. But If I say that in my answer, I think it would undermine my coherence and cohesion. Do I really need to say it?
Thank you!

[Simon]

I would try to answer each part Cheryl - just because you'll have more to say, and it's easy to structure your description by following the points on the card.

Having said that, it's not a big problem if you miss one of the points, especially if the rest of your description is good.

[Toxic]

Brilliant!

[lulu]

Thank you all for your valuable advises.