Learn How to Overcome the Fear of IELTS Exam?

Now and then, students come across exam stress or anxiety in their academic lives. English proficiency tests can become a major concern when applying for higher education abroad. This emotional unrest can impact their thinking ability and create a hurdle, often leading to panic. The IELTS exam is one significant challenge for students to face in their study abroad journey. Without proper guidance and knowledge, it can become overwhelming for students. Thus, this article will provide the right strategies to fight the fear and also provide the confidence to speak the English language fluently abroad.

Why Students are Scared of IELTS Exams?

The IELTS test acts as a bridge between you and your dream of studying or making a career abroad. However, it has a complex syllabus that includes four different sections or skills to evaluate. This vast information and details can make the test seem impossible to clear. However, a positive mindset and techniques can help students conquer their fears and excel in the exam.

Top Strategies to Fight the Fear

The English language has become a taboo in India for students who dream of studying abroad. Many times, when scholars appear for the IELTS exam, they find themselves feeling nervous and lost, which then affects their test performance. But this will not be a problem if they learn their weaknesses and make them their strengths. Thus, the points given below provide the steps to overcome this phobia.

Read and Understand 

The IELTS test has four sections, one of which is Writing, that requires students to write an essay. It can lead to a state of confusion and distress among them. Hence, to fight this fear, scholars must immerse themselves in a wide range of essay topics. This activity can help them generate new ideas and improve overall knowledge. Students can read from different genres to expand their ideas and viewpoints. Thus, this activity will enhance their vocabulary, allowing them to express their thoughts with a vision in mind.

Master Time Management

The ability to manage your time in the IELTS exam is supreme, especially in the Reading and Writing modules. Students are afraid to run out of time, which can impact their performance. Moreover, this results in them giving incorrect and improper answers that affect their overall score. So, to overcome this fear, they must approach this exam with a strategy in mind. One such valuable technique is to "Break, Divide and Focus". In this method, students have to break the complex syllabus of Reading and Writing into specific time slots. Now divide your day into time slots, and focus on each task at once to cover all questions. Thus, by following the method, you can lower the risk of answering incorrectly. It also builds confidence in you over the IELTS exam so you can perform well and reach your best potential.

Let Go of Distractions

Even if students are aware of the importance of the situation, it is human nature to lose concentration. In this age of digital media, it has become more challenging to stay focused for long hours. It is also an issue in exam preparations, as IELTS requires immense dedication and time. Try to learn mindfulness activities to break this cycle of anxiousness and stress by doing meditations, candle gazing and by playing memory games.

Learn to Generate New Ideas

The speaking module of the IELTS exam requires students to speak on the spot on a random topic. It can become tough for speakers to think fast, making them anxious and fumble with their words. The uneasiness can come from a lack of preparation and the pressure to speak fluent English sentences within a limited time duration. But, students can learn some strategies to avoid getting out of ideas. Focus on adapting patience and a relaxed mindset, and answer in a clear and organized manner. The way you present your thoughts, the choice of words and fluency is what matters. Try to consider the IELTS speaking test as an opportunity to showcase your language skills so that you will speak fiercely and authentically.

Practise, Practise and Practise

Many students fail to answer all the questions in the IELTS listening section due to a lack of concentration. The IELTS syllabus for the listening module is complicated to understand in one go. One has to practise daily for a fixed duration to avoid making errors. It is normal to miss some questions in this section, as the audio is long and the accent makes it more complex. However, there are many exercises for the listening section available online to understand the pace and question types. Regular practice will allow students to learn speech patterns and help boost their concentration levels.

Thus, to ace the IELTS exam with a great overall band score, it is necessary to follow some steps and strategies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, one cannot escape the fear of the unknown. It is usual to be more comfortable with something familiar. However, fears do not define somebody, which also applies to the case of the IELTS exam. The English eligibility tests consist of complex topics, and the IELTS syllabus consists of four sections, each with a different type of test. Which can instil fear and anxiety in students, but it is not impossible to crack this exam. With a positive mindset, clear objectives and dedication, students can achieve success in this crucial examination.