Jakarta, Kartunet.com – One of the requirements following the document submission stage for the ADS (Australian Development Scholarship) scholarship is to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test. The IELTS test is a crucial determining step before you are interviewed by the ADS organizers. The Australian government has offered this ADS scholarship for decades, providing opportunities for those aspiring to study abroad. To help you succeed in the IELTS test, we present tips for the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections from Taufiq Effendi, a visually impaired recipient of the ADS scholarship in 2013. These tips are guaranteed to be directly from his proven and effective experience.
The IELTS test is generally required for those intending to study in the UK or Commonwealth countries. The IELTS test fee is relatively expensive, at 150 USD. Therefore, it's highly advisable to know the keys to success for the IELTS test to minimize the risk of failure. The test itself comprises four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Writing and Speaking sections will be discussed in a subsequent article.
IELTS Listening Section
1. Answer the questions according to the instructions. Always read the instructions for each section carefully and thoroughly. For instance, if you are asked to fill in with three words, you must use exactly three words.
2. Instructions sometimes serve as a “clue.” They can help you concentrate. If three words are requested, it means you should focus your attention on keywords that consist of three words. In the listening section, the words requested are usually exactly what you will hear.
3. Remember, spelling must be correct. If an apostrophe (‘) is required, it must be written. This also tests some of your grammar understanding. If you are asked to fill in with numbers/digits, you must use numbers/digits, allowing you to focus on listening for numerical information.
IELTS Reading Section
For the reading section, standard strategies similar to those for the TOEFL can be applied. You need to possess skimming skills because the allotted time is very limited. Read the questions first, and then proceed to read the text. Whenever you find an answer while reading the text, fill it in immediately.
Hopefully, the IELTS Listening and Reading success tips provided above will be helpful, especially for those currently undergoing the ADS selection stages. For those who have not yet applied for a scholarship, we hope this motivates you further in your scholarship pursuit. Remember, the IELTS test is a prerequisite for securing the ADS scholarship and also serves as a personal indicator of your ability to undertake studies in Australia, where instruction is entirely in English.(DPM)