Secret of IELTS: Is There Any?

Some of my friends have ever asked me the same question as the title
of this article. To be honest, there is no secret exist in being
successful of this test. What can be learnt here is what we call as
strategy. In IELTS, there are some strategies that can be applied to
maximize the achievement itself.

Discussing those strategies will take some times as well. So, I am going to try to jot down those strategies one by one.

The
first strategy is dealing with time. In listening module, total
allocated time is 30 minutes with total 40 questions to answer.
Therefore, test taker gets 0.75 minute to answer a question. In reading
module, test taker gets 60 minutes to answer 40 questions. So, test
taker gets 1,5 minutes for each question. Meanwhile, in writing section,
test taker gets 60 minutes to complete 2 numbers of questions so that
each question will get 30 minutes. In Speaking, total time allocated is
11 until 14 minutes. There is no exact number of questions that should
be answered in this section.

Well, the time allocation above at
least can give you rough description on the tight time that must be
adjusted with total questions. So, if you want to be successful, you
have to put a proper ratio of timing for each section of the test. In
reading section, the test is separated into several passages. In this
section, time can also be very critical because of some reasons.

The
first is that the same scoring will be given for every question. This
fact explains that there is no need for spending too much time for
particular question.

The second is that the arrangement of
passages which are not based on the difficulty level. You might face
easy passage or the difficult one first. So, it is better for you to
omit the temptation to pause and figure out the hardest question. Move
quickly from one question to another will be a great strategy. Remember
that the score is counted the same.

Reference: IELTS Secrets, copyright 2002 by MO Media