IELTS Exam Preparation

What is IELTS Exam Preparation?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System.  It was one of the first systems to examine all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and it is run by the British Council and Cambridge Assessment English and IDP: IELTS Australia.

What does IELTS test?

The IELTS Test assesses your English language skills in four areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will get an overall score, and for each skill. IELTS is one of the most widely recognised exams proving your ability to write, read and have a conversation in English. 

The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

How is the IELTS test graded?

The IELTS exam has been developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment. 

You cannot fail an IELTS exam: you are graded on a scale from 1 to 9 based on your overall average score for each part of the test. That means you will receive separate scores for reading, writing, speaking and listening, and a combined overall score.

The top score of 9 shows you are an expert user of the English language, with complete understanding. A score of 6 shows you are a competent user, with an effective command of English but some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. A score of 1 shows that you can only use a few isolated words of English.

If you got a combined overall score of 6.0, that would be equivalent to B2 Upper Intermediate level on the CEFR.

Find out more about the IELTS scale.

Why should I take an IELTS exam?

If you are ambitious to live, work or study in an English-language country, a good IELTS score will help you follow your dreams. The IELTS test demonstrates your English skills are good enough for you to thrive in an English language environment.

The IELTS exam is recognised by over 10,000 organisations worldwide, and used by employers, schools, universities, immigration authorities and professional bodies to assess your suitability.

IELTS is accepted for visas in many countries. If you are applying for a work visa, professional recognition or for permanent residency in an English-speaking country, it is likely that you will be asked to demonstrate your English language proficiency by producing evidence, such as an IELTS certificate.

University courses taught in the English language will also ask for an overall IELTS score, and sometimes also in one or more of the four skills. The IELTS Academic Test - which Galway Cultural Institute can provide at the end of your course - is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and also for professional registration purposes.

Why should I consider IELTS preparation courses?

If you want to open up opportunities for your future, getting a good IELTS exam score is one of the most important things you can do. IELTS exam preparation and specialist IELTS courses will help you succeed. Not only will a preparation course boost your general level of English, it will also give you an understanding of how each test is structured, and help you to prepare for the specific requirements of the exam.  

What IELTS level do I need to achieve?

Some universities or colleges might ask for an overall score. You might also be asked to reach a certain level in one skill: for instance, a higher writing score.

For example, if you are a nurse who wants to work in Canada, you would need a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.

To study at Oxford University in the UK, you need a score of 7 or 7.5 depending on the course you want to take.

Can I take an IELTS course in Ireland?

Yes – at Galway Business and English School we offer several options. You can take one of our IELTS intensive courses, which give you 20 lessons a week for six weeks, or take a bit more time to enjoy the lovely city of Galway in your free afternoons with 20 lessons a week. The choice is yours!

How long do Galway Cultural Institute’s IELTS preparation courses take?

Our shortest, intensive course is six weeks, with 20 lessons a week. There are also six-week morning and afternoon course options.

We want to help you get the IELTS skills you need in the best way for you: some people need to prepare very quickly. Others like to take more time and enjoy the experience of living and studying in one of Ireland’s most interesting cities.

How will you help me with my IELTS test preparation?

When booking an IELTS exam preparation course, you will receive:

• An IELTS exam preparation book, to use in all lessons and IELTS study tasks
• An IELTS grammar and vocabulary study and practice book
• Timetabled lessons for each skill (look at a sample timetable here)
• Access to our resource centre

Here at Galway Business and English School we have lots of experience in helping students achieve very high levels of English, which is why our exam pass rates are so good.

So we insist that everyone only speaks English in our school. This will help you improve your vocabulary, and all our staff are happy to chat with you. We also have a large common room where you can practise with other students, and daily meetings where you can ask questions.

You’ll also practise English outside school, because you’ll live with a host family who will talk to you and help you improve your understanding. We also arrange lots of trips so that you can see lots of Ireland and practise your English with the native speakers you meet.

Where can I take an IELTS test in Ireland?

There is an IELTS Test Centre here in the city centre of Galway, so if you study with us it is very easy to take your exam here too. The IELTS exam venue is approximatively 15 minutes walking distance from our school. 

What English level do I need to start an IELTS preparation course?

You need to have B1 or intermediate level to enrol on one of our IELTS preparation courses. If you are not yet at that level, consider joining one of our other courses to get you there.

How can I prepare for the IELTS listening test?

As well as specific listening classes on our preparation courses – scroll down here to see a sample timetable – you can do lots to help yourself.

Listening to other people is a great way to get better at hearing English. So ask your host family about their lives and what they’ve done that day. Go to a small shop and buy some snacks, and chat to the shopkeeper.

You can also watch TV: it doesn’t matter if you watch a whole Netflix box set or local Irish news programmes – choose what you like best.

How can I prepare for the IELTS academic exam?

Take all the advice you’re given in the specialist classes of your IELTS course, and make sure you practise as much as possible on top of that. So write emails and letters to people in English, and practise the kind of structured writing about topics you’ll need for your test.

How can I prepare for the IELTS speaking test?

Be brave! The best way to improve your English speaking is to get out there and do it. Chat to your fellow students in our common room, talk to staff, make conversation with your host family. Also, wherever you go, note down and learn new words and phrases. If you have great phrases you want to use in conversation, this will help enormously when it comes to the IELTS speaking test. All this on top of the lessons preparing you for the test (scroll down here for a sample timetable) should help build your confidence.

What’s the best IELTS exam preparation for reading?

You guessed it – reading! Read everything you can see in English, whether adverts, books, magazines or websites. Use a good dictionary app for unfamiliar words and you’ll really improve your vocabulary for the IELTS test. Don’t forget to pay attention to grammar. All of this, on top of your IELTS reading lessons (you can see a typical sample timetable at the bottom of this page), will help you get the score you need.

What is it like to study in Galway, Ireland?

You’ll love it here! We are the 2020 European Capital of Culture, on the beautiful West Coast of Ireland, in a fantastic, friendly city with plenty to do. You could be enjoying the Galway International Arts Festival or St Patrick’s Day here, visiting the bar where Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl was filmed, or spending a night on the unspoilt Aran islands – it’s all here for you.

Our Galway Business and English School has been welcoming people from more than 30 countries for language training since 1989. We are in a fantastic building with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, and in easy reach of everything our wonderful city has to offer.