CPISP Preparation Guide #5: IELTS Test

As an essential requirement for the CPISP candidacy program, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses the English proficiency of candidates. Excelling in this test is crucial for securing your place in the program. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare effectively:

1. What is the IELTS Test?

The IELTS test is recognized worldwide as a benchmark for English language proficiency. It evaluates your ability to listen, read, write, and speak in English across academic and general contexts. The test is widely accepted by universities, immigration authorities, and employers globally.

IELTS Test for the CPISP Program

The IELTS Test is a pivotal component of the CPISP Program, accounting for 25% of the final selection criteria for recipients. As part of the program's preparation, students undergo a short course specifically designed to equip them with the necessary skills for the IELTS Academic test. This preparation ensures that candidates are aware of the IELTS test and its different components during the assessment phase of the program.

2. IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General

  • IELTS Academic: This version is suitable for students applying to higher education institutions where English is the medium of instruction. It focuses on academic language and tasks. This is the version that the CPISP candidates will take. 

  • IELTS General Training: Designed for candidates planning to migrate to English-speaking countries for work or secondary education. It assesses practical, everyday English skills.

3. Sections of the IELTS Test

The IELTS test is divided into four sections, each designed to assess different language skills:

Listening:

  • Format: The listening section consists of four recorded monologues and conversations. There are 40 questions in total, and these are divided into four parts. Each part becomes progressively more challenging.
  • Purpose: This section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts, such as everyday conversations and academic lectures.
  • Time: Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time at the end).

Reading:

  • Format: The reading section includes three long texts taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. There are 40 questions in total, divided into three sections. The texts are academic in nature for the IELTS Academic version and more general for the IELTS General Training version.
  • Purpose: This section tests your reading comprehension skills, including your ability to understand main ideas, details, opinions, and logical arguments presented in the texts.
  • Time: 60 minutes.
  • Sample Strategy for the Reading Section:
    1. Skim First: Quickly skim the passage to get a general idea, noting headings, subheadings, and key terms.
    2. Read Questions Carefully: Understand what each question asks and highlight keywords and phrases.
    3. Scan for Information: Use keywords to locate relevant sections and look for specific details such as dates, names, and numbers.
    4. Read Relevant Sections in Detail: Carefully read the parts of the text related to the questions, and understand the context by reading surrounding sentences if necessary.
    5. Balance Your Time: Skim the text and understand the questions in the first few minutes. Then, divide the remaining time among the questions, making sure not to spend too long on any single question.>
    6. Skimming: Get the gist by focusing on introductions, conclusions, and topic sentences.
    7. Scanning: Find specific info quickly by looking for keywords, dates, and names.

Listening and Reading Preparation Tips:

  1. Practice Under Exam Conditions: Simulate the actual test environment when you practice. This means timing yourself strictly according to the test limits and working in a quiet space free from distractions. By practising under these conditions, you'll become accustomed to the pressure and timing of the real exam.
  2. Develop Personal Strategies: As you practice, you'll start to discover strategies that work best for you. Pay attention to which techniques help you manage your time, locate information quickly, and understand the questions accurately. Fine-tuning these strategies will improve your efficiency and accuracy in the test.
  3. Regular Practice: Consistent practice is key. Engage in listening and reading exercises daily to build your skills steadily over time.
  4. Listen to Various Accents: The IELTS Listening section includes different English accents (e.g., British, American, Australian). Expose yourself to these accents through movies, podcasts, and news channels to improve your comprehension.
  5. Read Widely: Read a variety of texts, such as newspapers, academic journals, magazines, and books. This will help you become familiar with different writing styles and improve your ability to quickly grasp the main ideas and details.
  6. Take Notes: Practice taking quick and effective notes while listening. This can help you keep track of important points and details that you might need to answer questions.
  7. Identify Key Information: In the reading section, practice identifying key information and skimming through texts efficiently. Focus on understanding the main ideas, supporting details, and the overall structure of the text.
  8. Review Mistakes: After each practice session, review your mistakes thoroughly. Understand why you made those errors and how you can avoid them in the future.

Writing:

  • Format: The writing section requires candidates to complete two tasks:
    • Task 1: For the IELTS Academic version, you will describe visual information (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams) in at least 150 words. For the IELTS General Training version, you will write a letter responding to a situation.
    • Task 2: You will write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem in at least 250 words.
  • Purpose: This section assesses your ability to present and develop a coherent argument, use academic language appropriately (for the Academic version), organize ideas, and express yourself clearly in written English.
  • Time: 60 minutes.

Speaking:

  • Format: The speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It is divided into three parts:
    • Part 1: Introduction and general questions about familiar topics (e.g., family, hobbies).
    • Part 2: You will be given a task card with a topic and points to discuss. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.
    • Part 3: Follow-up questions related to the topic in Part 2, focusing on more abstract ideas and issues.
  • Purpose: This section evaluates your ability to communicate verbally in English. It assesses your fluency, coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
  • Time: 11-14 minutes (approximately).
  • Preparation Tips:
    1. Practice Regularly: Engage in daily conversations in English. Practice speaking about various topics to build your confidence and fluency.
    2. Record Yourself: Record your speaking practice sessions to identify areas for pronunciation, fluency, and coherence improvement.
    3. Expand Your Vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases regularly. Try to use them in sentences to get comfortable with their usage.
    4. Understand the Format: Familiarize yourself with the structure of the speaking test. Practice each part separately to master the different types of questions.
    5. Use a Timer: Practice speaking within the time limits. This will help you manage your time effectively during the exam.
    6. Seek Feedback: Practice with a friend, tutor, or language partner who can provide constructive feedback on your speaking skills.
    7. Study Common Topics: Prepare for common topics often appearing in the speaking test, such as family, education, work, hobbies, and travel.
    8. Watch and Listen: Watch English TV shows, movies, podcasts or radio shows to improve your listening skills and pronunciation.
  • Exam Tips:
    1. Stay Calm and Relaxed: Take deep breaths and stay calm during the interview. A relaxed mind will help you think more clearly and speak more fluently.
    2. Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the examiner’s questions. Make sure you understand the question before you start answering.
    3. Take Your Time: Don’t rush your answers. Take a moment to think before you speak, especially for Part 2. Utilize the one minute given for preparation effectively.
    4. Be Coherent: Structure your answers logically. Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas smoothly.
    5. Use a Range of Vocabulary: Demonstrate your lexical range by using varied and precise vocabulary. Avoid repetition of the same words.
    6. Mind Your Pronunciation: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Ensure your pronunciation is correct, but don’t worry too much about having an accent.
    7. Be Fluent: Try to speak continuously without long pauses. If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move on smoothly.
    8. It’s Okay to Lie: Remember, the assessors are not evaluating how smart or sophisticated your ideas are; it's a language test. Therefore, you can keep your ideas simple and lie when necessary to keep the conversation flowing.
    9. Practice Common Phrases: Use phrases like “In my opinion,” “I believe that,” and “To be honest” to start your answers. This shows your ability to use complex structures.

  • Marking:

IELTS MARKING CRITERIA

4. Resources for IELTS Preparation

Preparing for the IELTS test requires access to quality study materials and resources that cater to various learning preferences. Here are some highly recommended resources:

Books:

  • Cambridge IELTS Series (Starting from the seventh edition): The Cambridge IELTS series is widely regarded as one of the most effective resources for IELTS preparation. Each book in the series contains authentic practice tests and answers, providing valuable insight into the format and types of questions you can expect on the exam.

Websites:

  • IELTS Liz Website: IELTS Liz  offers comprehensive guidance on all sections of the IELTS test. It provides free tips, sample questions, model answers, and strategies to help you improve your IELTS score. This website is particularly useful for self-study and understanding the exam format.

  • IELTS Advantage Website: IELTS Advantage provides detailed resources and courses designed to enhance your skills for both IELTS Academic and General Training versions. It offers articles, practice materials, and expert advice to help you achieve your target score.

  • E2 IELTS Youtube Channel: The E2 IELTS Youtube Channel features video lessons specifically tailored for IELTS preparation. It covers tips and strategies for each section of the test, along with practice exercises and explanations, making it an engaging and effective resource for visual learners.

  • dalilk4ielts Youtube Channel: The dalilk4ielts Youtube Channel provides a variety of IELTS preparation videos in Arabic. It includes tips, sample answers, and strategies delivered in an accessible format, catering to Arabic-speaking candidates preparing for the exam.

These are sample resources that offer a combination of practice materials, expert advice, and interactive learning experiences to support your IELTS preparation journey. Whether you prefer books for in-depth study or online platforms for multimedia learning, integrating these, as well as other, resources into your study plan can significantly enhance your chances of success in the CPISP candidacy program.

Final Thoughts on IELTS Preparation

As you prepare for the IELTS test as part of your CPISP candidacy, it's essential to focus on key strategies and set realistic goals to maximize your chances of success:

Tips for the Exam:

  • Time Management: Practice under timed conditions to ensure you can complete each section within the allocated time. Allocate specific time slots for each part of the test during your practice sessions.

  • Test Format: Understand whether you will be taking the paper-based or computer-delivered version of the IELTS test. Familiarize yourself with the format you will be tested on to avoid any surprises on test day (Don't do my mistake 🐧).

  • Importance of Practice: Regular practice with sample tests and questions will help you become familiar with the types of tasks and questions you will encounter. This familiarity can significantly boost your confidence and performance on test day.

Target Score:

  • Aim for an overall band score of no less than 7.5. While I have seen exactly one candidate who won the scholarship with a score of 7.0 overall (Although he had to double his efforts for the SAT), aiming higher increases your competitiveness. Scores of 8.0, and above are not uncommon among successful CPISP candidates, especially from private schools.

  • Be Competitive: Recognize that achieving a higher score can enhance your chances of standing out in the selection process. Public school candidates frequently achieve success with scores around 7.5, but aiming higher can strengthen your application.

  • Continuous Improvement: Strive for continuous improvement in all sections of the test. Focus on areas where you may have weaker performance initially and seek targeted practice and feedback to enhance your skills.

By following these tips and setting a target score of at least 7.5, you can position yourself strongly for the CPISP candidacy program. Remember, higher scores not only meet minimum requirements but also demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence and English proficiency, essential qualities for securing the scholarship.

Created at: July 22, 2024, 3:39 p.m.