Overcoming IELTS Listening Test Difficulties?

The Listening aspect is yet another aspect to be covered in the IELTS Listening test. This could be a tough and critical aspect but if observation and good listening powers are developed, then it is easy to interpret and score. The Recording is done only once. So it is a huge task on the aspirant to understand, remember and reproduce it correctly. Some common mistakes that aspirants make are:

  1. Less Concentration on the Audio: We as human beings end up with a pre-conceived notion. Most people are bad at listening. The biggest mistake that the IELTS test aspirants make is that they casually listen to the video clip without absorbing all the information given in it. The problematic situation arises when they are unable to remember the correct answer. The foremost important thing is that the aspirant must read the instructions properly, then look for ideas on the given topic and lastly listen carefully to the context of the topic followed by the location. If possible and depending upon the intelligence of the IELTS aspirant, read up all the questions before hand and recollect the answers after listening to the video clip.

  2. Avoid Prediction: After having numerous practice sessions, try to predict the kind of audio clip that would be given in the test. Also, be on the watch for the ‘type’ of question that would be asked. From the given transcript of the question paper, underline the phrases which would make for probable questions to be asked. Listen carefully to the key words and other phrases. This may help you determine the nature of the questions.

  3. Concentration Block: Do not answer all your questions in the same order of the transcript. First of all, answer the questions that you know well, then move on to the lesser known ones. Try hard to answer all the questions but do them correctly. Do not just lean on to one question.

  4. Guard Yourself Against Distractors: IELTS Examiners use distractor questions in order to confuse the candidates. Pay more attention to minute details. For instance, in one video clip the speaker will speak something wrong and then correct himself. The Multiple Choice Questions also have four confusing options for which you would be required to choose only one correct answer.

  5. Spelling Errors and Grammar Mistakes: Incorrect spelling would lead to losing marks. Especially, names of countries and places need to be written correctly. In certain cases, names of individuals too need to have the correct spelling. Correct Functional Grammar needs to be used in order to make meaningful sentences.

  6. Unanswered Questions: The IELTS Listening test does not deduct marks for wrong answers. But try hard not to leave answers as, if there is an unanswered question then the IELTS aspirant can end up writing the answer in the wrong place.

  7. Writing and Listening At the Same Time: Since the Audio clip is played only once, avoid writing important points on the paper simultaneously. This would distract attention from the main audio being played. After the audio clip is played, utilize those extra 10 minutes given for writing the responses on the answer script from memory.

Be rest assured that if all these tips are followed, one would gain a good IELTS Listening score!

Get trained in IELTS by enrolling for the IELTS Training online. Take IELTS Practice tests as many times as you want and improve your IELTS skills. Get the best score in IELTS now by enrolling for the IELTS training online.