Tips for the Listening Test

1. Read instructions carefully, don’t just glance at them. They are not always the same as in practice or previous tests.
2. The speaker will often give you an answer and then correct themselves - watch out for this. It’s a common trick.
3. Try and anticipate what the speaker will say. This requires concentration - easy in your own language, but more difficult in English.
4. Remember, if you want a high score you should aim to get all questions in parts one and two correct. Don’t make any careless mistakes in the easier sections.
5. Although there are not that many IELTS books on the market, other Cambridge exam preparation materials, such as FCE and CAE preparation books, can provide valuable practice.
6. Small errors such as spelling, omitting (s) or incomplete times e.g. 1.30 can lead to low score.
7. Don’t panic if you think the topic is too difficult or the speaker is too fast. Relax and tune in.
8. Read, write and listen at the same time! You need practice for this.
9. Don’t leave blanks, better guess because you won’t be penalised.
10. It is advisable for you to write your answers in CAPITAL letters; when it is not clear whether the spelling is correct or not, for example because of a candidate’s poor handwriting, then the answers are marked as wrong.