6 Benefits of Preparing for the IELTS Exam with Cambly

Passing language assessment exams such as the IELTS is a common prerequisite in professional life and for academic opportunities such as studying abroad. The results of these exams are a deciding factor when it comes to getting accepted into colleges and student exchange programs, as well as being considered for internship and job opportunities abroad.

That’s why the IELTS should be considered an important step towards a better academic and professional life which must not be overlooked. The exam has become some people’s worst nightmare because of how demanding its language skill assessment is. 

Don’t worry, Cambly can help with your IELTS preparation. All you need to know is which opportunities Cambly offers and how to use them to your advantage.

What is the IELTS? What does it consist of?

First let’s discuss what the IELTS is and what it comprises.

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. It’s an exam that is recognized internationally. It offers individuals the opportunity to earn certificates based on evaluations of their English abilities, which can then be used to pursue academic programs or job opportunities in countries where English is the primary language.

The exam is divided into two categories: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The IELTS Academic Exam is geared towards educational pursuits while the IELTS General Training Exam is useful for other areas. Both exams consist of four parts: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. The questions vary according to the category of the exam, which is why candidates should create a study plan that caters to the requirements of the exam they will be taking.

The Benefits of Preparing for the IELTS Exam with Cambly

The IELTS divides its exams into categories based on listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and writing abilities. You will be asked to briefly discuss a provided topic, write short paragraphs that fall under certain headlines, and answer questions that test your listening abilities. Because each section tests you differently, they each require a unique studying method.

You’re free to develop your own methods to prepare for the exam. You could read English articles or watch English TV and news programs, for instance. But in order to ensure success on an IELTS Exam, you will need assistance from someone who knows this process and can give you feedback on the areas you need to improve. This will help you work more efficiently and really hone your skills in time for the exam.

We’ve put together a list of the advantages of preparing for the IELTS with one-on-one online Cambly lessons. Let’s take a look at them together.

Improving Your Grammar

Grammar is without a doubt the area to focus on the most when preparing for an English language test. Because one can’t write, speak, or understand what they’re reading properly without having a good command of the grammar of that language.

That’s why whether we’re learning English at primary school or during a more advanced stage in our lives, we see grammar rules come up time and again. Especially if you’re preparing for an exam as demanding as the IELTS, you need to know your grammar so you have a good foundation to work from. If there are certain grammar rules you feel you don’t understand or keep getting wrong, our Cambly instructors can work with you on improving those specific areas. You could go over topics like adverbs or prepositions and complete practical exercises. Our instructors are ready to offer you the support you need with detailed explanations and practice questions.

Expanding Your Vocabulary

The wider your vocabulary, the better your chances of success. Even with a good command of English grammar, if you encounter long sentences with words you don’t know the meaning of during the exam, you might panic. Vocabulary you’re unfamiliar with might prevent you from understanding the full meaning of a text. Candidates who are preparing for the IELTS Academic Exam need to develop a practice that expands their academic vocabulary.

Cambly language instructors are experts in their fields. You can choose an instructor that specializes in the area you need to improve and practice your vocabulary as much as you need. Together, you can work on learning new terms and expressions related to academics, science, tourism, or any other field. You can also practice your dialogue skills and learn how to use synonyms in sentences.

Practicing Your Listening

The listening portion of IELTS is what people struggle with the most if they haven’t practiced sufficiently for the exam. That’s because this portion requires you to have a good understanding of pronunciation and different accents and to be able to make sense of what’s being communicated.

In the exam, you’ll be asked to answer questions, fill in blanks and give your opinions based on conversations you listen to. In order to prepare for this part of the exam, you could listen to daily conversations during your Cambly private lessons. Your instructor could read you passages and ask you to answer questions or fill in the blanks. If you struggle with different accents or pronunciations, your instructor could plan lessons that focus on that area.

A small sidenote: You have the option of recording your Cambly lessons, so if you want to go over what you practiced in class, feel free to watch the recording whenever you want.

Getting Faster at Reading

Like most language tests, the IELTS has a reading section. This section is based on understanding written text and answering related questions. That’s why it’s important for you to read a lot of English in your free time leading up to the exam.

Your Cambly instructor can plan lessons around preparing you for the Reading section of the exam. You can ask them to provide you with reading passages and help you practice answering comprehension questions. These exercises will improve your comprehension skills and make you a faster reader.

Getting Your Writing Evaluated

One of the most feared sections of the IELTS Exam is undoubtedly writing.

This is the section that you might need to prepare for the most. Both the Academic and the General IELTS exams require you to write two short essays. You will be asked to describe a situation, occurrence, or scene in 150-250 words. Your essay needs to be clear, eloquent, and in accordance with grammar and writing rules.

Our Cambly instructors are more than happy to help you practice with some writing exercises. If you feel you really struggle in this area, you can choose an instructor that specializes in writing and work on what needs to be improved. You could also practice writing in your free time and have your instructor check your pieces and go over them with you

Speaking Exercises Related to the Topic of Your Choice

Speaking is a crucial part of the exam. People who study English usually have a certain fear around whether they will be able to speak the language. 

In the exam, you’ll be asked to think about a given topic and discuss it for 4-5 minutes in clear and concise sentences. If you doubt your speaking abilities and feel you need more practice, Cambly can help. You and your instructor can pick topics that are likely to appear in the speaking section of the exam or practice questions that have come up in past exams to help prepare you for the exam. 

You can work on your pronunciation, learn new expressions, and improve your English-speaking abilities. The more you practice, the less likely you’ll be nervous during the exam, and the less chance there will be for you to make mistakes. Pretend that you’re really taking the exam with your instructor so your lessons will work to your advantage.

Begin Your IELTS Preparation with Cambly

To be successful at the IELTS Exam, candidates must identify what they need to improve and prepare a detailed study plan for each section. Cambly offers you all the assistance you need in your preparation for the IELTS Exam with lessons from instructors who are native English speakers.

All you need to do is schedule a lesson at a date and time that works for you. This way, you can learn English in one-on-one lessons from the comfort of your own home whenever you please. You can even record the lessons and watch them at your leisure.