Complete IELTS Academic Preparation Guide • Rithik's Blog.

Complete IELTS Preparation Guide (Academic)

Total Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Section	Time	Notes
Reading	1 hour	3 academic passages, 40 questions
Writing	1 hour	2 tasks: report + essay
Listening	30 minutes + 10 min (paper) or 3 min (computer)	Audio plays once
Speaking	15 minutes	One-on-one interview

💡 Tip: Keep your brain and body 100% focused and present. When your mind is fully engaged, everything else follows smoothly.

Reading Section (1 Hour)

Overview

3 academic essays or articles.
No specialized knowledge required.
Scoring: Number of correct answers (out of 40) converts to a Band 9 scale.
Passages become more difficult as the test progresses.

Key Techniques

SUN Method: Skim, Underline, Note.
- Skim for the main idea.
- Underline key words in questions and text.
- Write short margin notes (for paper-based tests).
Spelling counts, but there is no negative marking, so attempt all questions.
Practice skimming and scanning instead of reading every word.

Reading Question Types & Tips

Matching Features

Identify what is being matched (people, theories, opinions, types, etc.).
Note keywords in the questions.
Scan the paragraphs and match based on meaning, not only exact words.
A single item can sometimes appear in more than one paragraph.

Matching Information

Multiple questions can come from the same paragraph.
Scan for ideas, not just exact words: answers are often paraphrased.
Some paragraphs may not contain any answer at all.

Sentence Completion

Words must come directly from the passage.
Follow the directions carefully for word/number limits.
Answers appear in the same order as in the passage.
Focus on grammar: predict whether you need a noun, verb, adjective, etc.
Do not change the words from the text.

Matching Sentence Endings

The completed sentence must:
- Make sense logically.
- Be grammatically correct.
- Agree with the passage (often paraphrased).
Answers usually come in order in the text.
Eliminate options that fail logically or grammatically.

Matching Headings

Tests your understanding of the main idea of each paragraph.
Headings are given before the passage.
Strategy:
- Skim the passage first.
- Read topic sentences and concluding lines.
- Match headings based on the overall idea, not small details.
Incorrect headings often:
- Focus too narrowly on a minor detail.
- Have a different overall meaning.

True / False / Not Given

Answers appear in the same order as the text.
You must consider all the information in the question.
Decide whether the statement is:
- True: Confirmed by the text.
- False: Contradicted by the text.
- Not Given: Not stated in the text.

Short Answer Questions

Usually “no more than two words and/or a number.”
Answers are taken directly from the text.
Answers appear in order.
Focus on nouns or noun phrases (most common).
No need to make a full sentence; just provide the required information.

Multiple Choice Questions

A question or incomplete sentence with several options.
You may have:
- 4 choices → 1 correct answer.
- 5 choices → 2 correct answers.
- 6 choices → 3 correct answers.
Strategy:
- Use keywords from the question to locate the relevant part of the passage.
- Read all options carefully.
- Look for paraphrased ideas, not only matching words.

Diagram / Flow Chart / Summary / Table Completion

Information often comes from one main section of the passage.
Answers may be:
- Selected from a box of options (paraphrased),
- Or taken directly from the text (exact words).
Pay attention to:
- Word limits.
- Required word form (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).
- Titles and labels on visuals; they tell you where to scan in the text.

Listening Section (30 Minutes)

Overview

4 recordings, each played once.
40 questions in total.
Extra time to transfer answers:
- Paper-based: 10 minutes.
- Computer-based: about 3 minutes.

Passage	Type	Description
1	Easy	Conversation between two people, daily situations
2	Easy	Monologue on a general topic
3	Difficult	Academic discussion among 2–3 speakers
4	Very difficult	Academic lecture by a single speaker

You will hear different accents, some background noise, and potential traps.

APT Method: Analyze, Predict, Track

Analyze

Read the directions carefully.
Identify:
- The speakers (who is talking).
- The topic.
- How the information will likely be organized.

Predict

Before listening, decide what kind of information to expect:
- Parts of speech (noun, number, verb, location, etc.).
- Names, dates, places, prices.
- Directional vocabulary (left, right, north, opposite, etc.).
Underline keywords in questions.
Write quick notes to remember what you are listening for.

Track

Answers may come quickly one after another or be spread out.
When you think you heard an answer:
- Write it.
- Immediately shift your attention to the next question.
Be careful:
- Speakers can change their minds or correct themselves.
- Some words are there just to distract you.

Common Listening Question Types

Multiple Choice
Matching
Short Answer / Sentence Completion
Plan / Map / Diagram Labeling
Form / Note / Table / Flow-chart / Summary Completion

Listening Tips

Read directions and questions before the audio starts.
Use pauses between sections to read upcoming questions, not to fix old ones.
If you miss a question, guess and move on.
Do not try to memorize; focus on understanding and tracking.
Spelling counts.
Correct answers are often paraphrases, not exact repeats.
All options will sound possible; stay calm and rely on context.

Writing Section (1 Hour)

Task Breakdown

Task 1: Describe visual information
- At least 150 words
- About 20 minutes
- Worth 1/3 of the total Writing score
Task 2: Academic essay
- At least 250 words
- About 40 minutes
- Worth 2/3 of the total Writing score

Writing Assessment Criteria

Criterion	Description
Coherence & Cohesion	Logical flow; clear connections between ideas
Lexical Resource	Range and accuracy of vocabulary
Grammatical Range & Accuracy	Variety and correctness of sentence structures
Task Achievement / Response	How fully and directly you answer the question

💡 Process: Read → Plan → Write → Edit → Review.

Task 1: Describing Visual Data

Paragraph Structure

Introduction
- Paraphrase the question.
- State what the visual shows.
Overview
- Summarize the main features or trends.
- Avoid too many numbers or details here.
Detail Paragraph 1
- Analyze the first key feature in detail.
- Use data, comparisons, or stages as needed.
Detail Paragraph 2
- Analyze a second important feature.
- Again, support with data or specific observations.

Visual-Specific Tips

Charts/Tables/Graphs
- Identify trends (increase, decrease, stability).
- Highlight milestones and contrasts.
Maps
- Focus on major changes between versions.
- Pay attention to tenses (past, present, future).
Diagrams / Processes
- Summarize the whole process from start to finish.
- Use passive voice and sequencing words:
  - First, Next, Then, After that, Finally.
- Do not just list; describe the flow.

Task 2: Academic Essay

Basic Structure

Introduction
- Start with a general statement.
- Paraphrase the topic.
- End with a clear thesis statement (your main position).
Body Paragraph 1
- Give one main reason supporting your thesis.
- Explain it.
- Add a specific example or detail.
Body Paragraph 2
- Provide a second reason or angle.
- Explain and support with examples.
Conclusion
- Restate the main idea.
- Briefly reference your reasons.
- Optionally, give a recommendation or prediction.

Common Essay Types

Advantages and Disadvantages
Agree or Disagree
Causes and Solutions
Discuss Both Views
Thematic / Multiple Questions

Always read the prompt carefully to see exactly what is required.

Writing Tips

Use an academic tone:
- Avoid contractions (write “do not” instead of “don’t”).
- Avoid slang or very informal language.
Use transition words and collocations to improve flow:
- Furthermore, However, On the other hand, As a result, In contrast.
Support each main idea with:
- Examples, explanations, comparisons, facts, or observations.
Aim to keep at least 5 minutes to:
- Fix grammar.
- Remove redundancy.
- Improve clarity.

Speaking Section (15 Minutes)

Structure

Part 1 (4–5 minutes):
- Simple questions about:
  - Your background.
  - Your interests.
  - Your country or hometown.
- Goal: answer directly and naturally without too much detail.
Part 2 (3–4 minutes):
- You receive a cue card with:
  - A main topic.
  - 3–4 bullet points.
- You have 1 minute to prepare.
- You must speak for 1–2 minutes.
Part 3 (4–5 minutes):
- A more abstract discussion related to Part 2.
- You express opinions, give reasons, and provide examples.

💡 The examiner is not judging your ideas, only your English.

Speaking Scoring Criteria

Category	Focus
Fluency & Coherence	Natural speed, few pauses, clear organization
Lexical Resource	Variety, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary
Grammar	Range and accuracy of sentence structures
Pronunciation	Clarity, stress, and intonation

Speaking Practice Strategies

Speak English every day, ideally with a fluent or native speaker.
If alone:
- Talk to yourself.
- Record your answers to common IELTS questions.
- Listen and note mistakes or repetitive patterns.
Rephrase the question before answering to show understanding.
Maintain eye contact and a confident posture.
If you cannot think of an answer immediately, use a filler:
- “That is a very interesting question.”
- “I have not thought about this before, but…”

Part 2 Preparation

During the 1-minute prep:
- Identify two main ideas.
- Write 1–3 keywords for each idea.
- Add one personal example or story for each.
Do not write full sentences; use quick notes.
Try to cover all bullet points on the card.

Part 3 Tips

Paraphrase part of the question to start:
- “In my opinion, the main reason why…”
- “Personally, I believe that…”
Give clear, structured answers:
- Start with your main point.
- Add reasons.
- Support with real, known, or hypothetical examples.
Show advanced grammar naturally:
- Conditionals: “If people had more free time, they would…”
- Modals: “Governments should invest more in…”

Building IELTS Skills

Vocabulary Journal

For each new word, write:

The word.
A clear definition.
A sample sentence with personal context.
Synonyms and antonyms.
Common collocations.

Review your journal every day to keep words active.

Paraphrasing

Practice expressing the same idea in different ways.
Use:
- Synonyms.
- Different sentence structures.
- Noun/verb/adjective forms.
Avoid repeating the exact words from the question.
Remove redundancy and keep sentences clear and concise.

Skimming & Scanning Skills

Skimming
- Read titles, headings, and first/last sentences of paragraphs.
- Aim to understand the general idea quickly.
Scanning
- Use specific keywords from the question.
- Look for those words or their synonyms in the text.
- Read only the surrounding sentences when you find them.

Final Advice

Practice under timed conditions as much as possible.
During the exam itself:
- Stay fully present.
- Do not let your mind wander.
For Writing:
- Keep old essays.
- Revisit them after 2–3 weeks and edit again.
For Speaking:
- Compare your responses with sample answers and band descriptors.
Remember: the examiner grades how you write and speak, not what you think.