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The International English Language Testing System, more commonly known as the IELTS, has always been on the checklist for students, VISA applicants, and individuals looking to work, live, and/or study in a country whose primary language for communication is English. The IELTS serves as a test of proficiency in the English Language for these aforementioned individuals, effectively proving that they can communicate their thoughts, display good interpersonal skills, consumer content effectively, and live in this English-speaking environment.
I know, I know. Most of you may be thinking, “Why is this person talking about what we already know?”. You’re here to learn how to avoid panicking during this test. We will definitely be getting onto that, but before we do that, we must always be accommodative of first-time IELTS learners, who may just be looking for some new information. This is why the first paragraph is introductory in nature. Here’s an excellent guide to the IELTS, provided by Galvanize Test Prep. It has served thousands of students and effectively helped them understand the IELTS and its many facets better.
If you’re still left a little rankled by that redundant first paragraph, I advise a little patience and a bit of mindful breathing over there. After all, this article is about panicking, annoyance, and a loss of control during the IELTS. A little tester seemed appropriate. 😛
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? All the preparation is done and dusted, and the day of reckoning arrives, along with a healthy dose of nervousness and determination. The exam starts, and you blast off into the reading section. You’ve done your practice, and have gone through the paragraphs and are facing those pesky True/False/Not Given Questions. Suddenly, you’re unsure and indecisive over the last 2 options you’ve finalised. There’s another word in there you’re unfamiliar with, and things start to spiral down.
What if you don’t know what speaking topic you’ll get? What if you are unable to communicate your points across effectively in the essay? How in the world are you supposed to ‘keep calm’ during this fiasco, that won’t get you that band score? You’re already going over the second attempt’s prospective dates in your head and half-crying, aren’t you? Let’s draw the curtains on this little hypothetical situation for now. Phew!
For those of you who’ve made it this far in a steady, nonchalant manner, kudos to you! This will be the mindset that will get you far in most competitive exams, although a little subjectivity and exceptions in behaviour never hurt anyone.
Let us now look at some of the best ways to avoid panicking during the IELTS:
1. Be Proactive
While this may seem like a no-brainer, more than half the reasons for meltdowns and panicking can be avoided by a few simple steps that need to be taken by the candidates.
- Go through the IELTS Essay, Speaking, and Listening Topics from this excellent link over here. They update it quite regularly and provide sample answers to the same. This will lessen the chances of you coming across completely unknown topics or topics you’ve no idea about. They will allow you to form your own answers and arguments beforehand, so that you may proceed with the task with a lot more confidence.
- Read every day – Read from a wide range of sources such as online publications, newspapers, various genres of books, and articles. Reading will help you keep a steady flow of words in your head, build your grammatical intuition, and improve your vocabulary.
- Stay on top of worldly news whenever you can, or catch up with the most important ones at least. If reading the news is too negative for you (which is completely understandable), just skim through major worldly events that occurred during the past few months, a few days before your exam.
- Practice and take Mock tests – Take plenty of IELTS Mocks. This will familiarise you with the various question types in the exam, build your exam-taking stamina, help you analyse your weak areas, and help you plug knowledge gaps. The simulated mocks are the final steps to your success in the IELTS.
2. Seriously, Read Step 1 Again!
3. Adjust your Sleep cycle According to the Date and Time of your IELTS, and Sleep on Time before the Exam
A well-rested mind can do wonders and calm down quicker compared to a mind that’s been up all night. You’ve done all you can to prepare for this test, so drift off into dreamland for a while. Your brain will thank you.
4. Try Mindful Breathing
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to focus only on your breath for a couple of seconds. Remember, messing up those two or three questions will be nothing compared to messing the entire test up. Stay steady, remember the mock tests you took, and carry on. You got this!
Note: If you’re someone who suffers from panic attacks or anxiety disorder, definitely talk stuff out with your therapist and inform them of your upcoming exam. They’ll know how to help you effectively.
5. It’s Just an Exam
Woah…did they just go there? (gender-neutral pronouns anyone?). Yes, I went there. A little perspective never hurt anyone. We all know how much hinges on these standardized tests, and the doors that they open. No one is undermining your preparation or your fear. However, at the end of it all, isn’t it just another exam that thousands of students have written and aced? Haven’t others failed, tried again, and cracked it? Yes, they have. You know your goals best, and your future lies ahead of you. You know what to do. : )
6. Check out these Excellent IELTS Tips
Written by experts who’ve cracked the exam before. Some of these are logically sound, practical tips that will definitely help you improve your score.
- IELTS Reading Tips
- IELTS Writing Tips
- IELTS Speaking Tips
I sincerely hope you found at least one way to avoid panicking during the IELTS. All the very best for your endeavours! Stay Safe.
Author Bio:
Cheers and Best Wishes, Rahul is the Content Marketing Executive at Galvanize Test Prep.
