Did you know only 1 in 8 people (12%) use a dedicated time management system worldwide? Again, 38% only use a to-do list to manage their time effectively. According to research by the Development Academy, a staggering 82% of people do not use any kind of time management system in their lives.
Efficient time management is of utmost significance when dealing with the rigorous challenges of the IELTS exam. As a comprehensive evaluation of the English language proficiency of an individual, the IELTS demands meticulous planning, organisation, and time allocation to different sections and tasks. Often, time constraints can induce stress and impact performance, making it vital for test takers to master the art of IELTS test time management.
You can consult a reputed IELTS coaching online centre like MyAssignment.live to learn how to strategically divide your time and secure dream scores. You can also go through today’s comprehensive post. Whether you’re taking the IELTS General Training or Academic test, this guide will enable you to learn how to manage your time effectively, optimise your productivity, improve your concentration power, and maximise your chances of achieving desirable scores in every segment of the exam.
Let’s dive right in!
The Significance of Time Management in IELTS
The IELTS is a timed examination where an individual must complete four sections effectively – Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking – within a fixed timeframe. According to a top study abroad consultant of AbroAdvice, every segment poses unique challenges, and effective time management is vital to ensure that you can answer all questions and tasks adequately.
Proper time management also enables you to minimise stress and anxiety, enabling students to focus better and demonstrate their language abilities to the fullest.
General Tips to Manage Time Effectively in the IELTS Exam
- Save ample time by becoming well-versed with the complete format of the IELTS exam. Know how many segments and how much time each segment is allowed. Understand the question types. You will then not be required to waste time reading through the instructions. You can connect with Myassignmenthelp.com for assistance on solving English assignments all over the world.
- Prioritise the questions you feel most confident about and complete them first. This will enable you to develop momentum and save time for more challenging questions later.
- During the exam, stay focused and keep all distractions at bay. Ensure to read all the instructions carefully, pay attention to the question prompts and avoid getting sidetracked by irrelevant information.
- If you get stuck on a question, don’t spend excessive time figuring it out. Move on to the next question and come back to it later if you have time.
- Since the IELTS listening, reading, and writing tests take about 2.5 hours and with breaks in between, calculate at least 3-4 hours of actual time taken to complete the entire exam. It is advised not to go on an empty stomach, as a hungry stomach triggers distress and anxiety.
- Become familiar with the time allotted for reading questions or going through the essay or speaking prompts that are a part of the test.
- One of the best ways to develop your time management skills for the IELTS exam is to practice regularly. Take practice exams under timed conditions and time yourself when completing mock tests. This will enable you to understand how long it takes to complete various kinds of questions and manage your time effectively during the actual exam.
IELTS Listening Time Management Strategies
- The IELTS listening exam has 40 questions from 4 segments that require being answered in 30 minutes. In the first recording, there are 2 speakers, and in the second section, there is a single speaker. In the third section, there are 2 speakers, and the last section has a single speaker. Be aware of the shift from one speaker to another while the record is playing. The last segment is relatively challenging since it’s a lecture.
- After every segment, you get a little time to prepare for the next. Ensure to use this time wisely. Do not try to read everything, as it consumes more time. Read around the blanks, as it will enable you to look for words in the recording.
- Determine the question and keywords from the multiple-choice questions. Listen for numbers, names, and milestones.
IELTS Reading Time Management Strategies
- For every passage, allocate 3-5 minutes to look for errors and to determine if you’ve transcribed the right answer against the right answer number.
- Spend 5-7 minutes to comprehend the gist of the passage. Find the thesis statement in every paragraph next to the corresponding paragraph in a few words.
- Underline the keywords. This will enable you to look for information in the paragraphs while answering the questions.
IELTS Writing Time Management Strategies
- In the Writing segment, two tasks need to be completed. Task 1 is either writing a letter or a graph description, and Task 2 is an essay. You must spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.
- For Task 1, allocate 3 minutes to plan, 10 minutes to write and 2 minutes to check your answer.
- Since Task 1 is merely descriptive, note down exactly what you see.
- For Task 2, assign 5-7 minutes to plan, 30 minutes to write and 3-5 minutes to check the answer.
- Prepare for certain topics like education, technology, travel, and environment before you enrol for the exam. Become well-versed with topics to make it easier for you to write down ideas and plan your writing section beforehand.
- In the writing section, spelling, grammar, and legibility do count. Hence, ensure to write carefully. You will be able to do better if you take more time and write it properly the first time rather than having to rewrite it later.
With proper time management in IELTS preparation and immense dedication, you can combat the challenges of the IELTS, ultimately achieving an outstanding score. Good luck!
