Detailed and Effective IELTS 8.0 preparation experience

In this article, PREP will introduce to you the "2 NOs - 3 YESes" rule in exam preparation. This is an IELTS 8.0 preparation experience sharing by a teacher from PREP. Please refer to the article below to learn how to concurrently excel in Reading and Writing to achieve a high IELTS band score!

I. IELTS 8.0 preparation experience: 2 NOs

1. NO Overthinking

One common issue encountered while preparing for the IELTS Reading section is the tendency of many students to overthink. This not only bewilders students but also results in unjustified point deductions during the exam, particularly in True/False/Not Given (T/F/NG) and Yes/No/Not Given (Y/N/NG) questions. This is a crucial aspect to be mindful of because if the information is present in the passage, it will inevitably be rephrased. Conversely, if it doesn't appear, there will be no direct correspondence in meaning.

Selecting appropriate practice materials is also a vital consideration. I previously utilized Test Plus I, II, and III for practice, yet I found that the reading sections in these books overly emphasize inference, fostering both confusion and the cultivation of an "overthinking" tendency, which is counterproductive in the context of the IELTS. Consequently, I opted to switch to alternative practice resources. If you're uncertain about which practice materials to utilize, drawing from my experience in preparing for the IELTS, I recommend enrolling in the comprehensive Reading course offered by PREP.

2. NO Quantity Over Quality

You have probably heard the saying "practice makes perfect," but to be more accurate, it should be "perfect practice makes perfect." You don't need to practice 3, 5, or 10 Reading tests per day. Based on my IELTS preparation experience, spending about 1-2 hours doing 1-2 Reading tests is sufficient. However, after checking the answers, it's important to take the time to reflect on why you made mistakes and identify the question types where you are struggling (such as gap-filling or multiple-choice questions).

Make sure to take note of your mistakes and focus on practicing specifically in those areas. For example, if you make a lot of mistakes in multiple-choice questions but keep doing exercises related to matching headings (even though you are already quite good at it), you are scratching the wrong itch, and your progress will be slow.

PREP's in-depth Reading course is divided into different topics, so you can try to identify which area you are struggling with and focus on practicing exercises related to that specific topic.

II. IELTS 8.0 preparation experience: 3 MUSTs

1. MUST have a notebook

An extremely important thing in the experience of preparing for the IELTS Reading and Writing is that after practicing Reading, we should have a notebook or a workbook to record the words or phrases that we have learned from the reading passage. Pay attention to the topic of the reading passage, for example, if it is about Technology, then try to note down the topic vocabulary that we have learned from the reading.

Then, when doing Writing Task 2, we should also practice according to the topic, choose the correct Technology topic, and apply it directly to our Writing. Since the readings in IELTS are usually academically oriented, it's great if we can apply the vocabulary from the reading to our writing.

2. MUST have reflection and summary

Furthermore, based on my experience with practicing for the IELTS Reading and Writing sections, it's beneficial to endeavor to reflect on and articulate your viewpoint regarding the topic addressed in the reading passage. Typically, the readings cover distinct and precise subjects, providing ample opportunity to express personal opinions on the subject matter. Additionally, you can opt for option 2, which involves composing a summary of the reading passage. In this summary, you should outline what you've read and capture the primary idea conveyed by the passage. Let's summarize it in English.

3. MUST have someone to grade your essays

Finally, this is also extremely important in the experience of practicing IELTS Reading and Writing, especially with Writing skills, we need someone to grade and provide feedback on our essays. Writing is not like other skills such as Listening or Reading, which can be self-taught. Without someone to grade our essays, it's easy to make mistakes in language and reasoning. Besides, when someone grades our essays, we will also have a clear understanding of our level, right?

Hence, to effectively practice both Reading and Writing simultaneously, drawing from my IELTS 8.0 preparation experience, it's advisable to engage in regular practice on the prepedu.com website, where you can avail of personalized feedback from instructors. This feedback allows you to identify and rectify any errors or weaknesses in your approach. Wishing you fruitful learning and commendable scores on the IELTS test as you apply these five tips to practice Reading and Writing concurrently.