IELTS Listening: how to use practice tests

It's a good idea to do practice tests (e.g. using the Cambridge IELTS books) in preparation for the listening exam. Here's some advice to help you benefit from doing practice tests:

1. Your score is not the most important thing
The important thing is what you have learnt by doing the test. Were there any new words or phrases that you can learn? What did you find difficult? Did any of the questions trick you? In other words, what do you need to do to improve your score?

2. Check how accurate your answers are
Be strict with yourself; every grammar or spelling mistake is important. For example, if the speaker says "The library has a collection of newspapers", you must not write "collection of newspaper".

3. Get into the habit of moving on
If you missed something, forget about it and move on. Always prepare for the next question rather than worrying about a previous question. When you are given 30 seconds to check your answers, use the time to look at the next section instead.

Comments

[Azadeh]

Hi Simon,

My problem is in the multiple choice with long sentence,during the time that I listen,I go through all of the questions for finding the best and sometimes I miss 2 or 3 questions,I need your suggestion.
Thank you very much

[Simon]

Hi Azadeh,

Multiple choice questions are difficult for everyone. Here are my tips:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/07/ielts-listening-tips-for-multiple-choice.html

[Christina]

Hi Simon,
There are things that confuse me about the answers when I check them sometimes. For example, is it right to use abbreviations? there was a question to which the answer was (number) kilometers, I got the number correct but wrote K.M instead. Is it wrong?
Another thing like names... the key answer was McDonald, but my answer was only capital M... how do they mark this if at all they do?
And also there are answers in which we have alternatives. If I write both alternatives in my answer sheet, will it count incorrect? like
Type of Card: when I checked they wrote credit/visa card... my answer was visa credit card.
I don't know how to accurately calculate my score due to these types of questions. Are they so strict in marking or is there any tolerance in such cases?
Thank you very much.

[Mh]

Hi Simon

I was wondering if I do not sure what is answer in listening and I suspect between , for example , BUS and CAR , and the answer is CAR , Can I put both my answers like this

" CAR / BUS " to be sure at least one of them come to be true?

[Tahir]

Hi Mh,

As far as I know you have to write only one answer either CAr or BUS not both.Simon answered this question in on of his saturday lesson.

[HASSAN]

Hi Simon
I have a question about the use of "half". What is the best use: Half the students or Half of the students. Is there any difference in meaning.
Thanks

[HASSAN]

Hi friends
In listening part 4,
1- Take the advantage of 30 sec at the end of list. section 3, plus the 20-30 second they allow to prepare for section 4. A tip ( you can still focus on the questions during the speaker introducing him or herself and usually through the whole introduction, as generally there are no questions in this part).
2- don't wait for the exact words it will never happen. Listen to the same-meaning words, vocabulary is what important.
3- while waiting the speaker to talk about the missing word for a question take a look for the following missing word/gap. as this strategy will make you sure that you still waiting for the right word and that you didn't miss the whole or even two paragraphs.
4- All the time you should focus on key words ( clear words that separate questions )
5- If you missed a word, write the most appropriate word from your own (many times it was the right word with me)
6- Don't write double answers or only the first letter from a word like (Mcdonald =M) because, absolutely this is wrong. You can write abbreviations for some words kg, 2nd, mm and many similar words, but not for names, places ......
I'm sorry for writing too long but maybe my ideas could help someone.

[Bakr]

Hi Simon and all,
I’m new to this site actually I just discover it 2 hours ago, I find it very informative and useful, I’m intending to take ILETS exam in few months and just start learning, I’m sure this site will help me a lot in improving my English skills, thank you all in advance.
Could you advise me from where I should start?

[moni]

Hi Simon
I am glad to find your website
Why in this sentence we use is polluting not pollutes.
This diagram shows how carbon dioxide is polluting the world's oceans.
Thank you

[Mehran]

Hi simon

what is the best way for practicing listening or reading?can we take the time for every section separately or take the time for all of section together?
Thanks

[Simon]

Hi Christina,

In the real exam they are quite tolerant e.g. it's fine to use an accepted abbreviation like 'km' or 'Nov' (November). Also, in the listening test they don't care about capital letters.

When they give alternative answers, they expect you to write just one of them. However, "visa credit card" would be fine because the meaning is correct.

...

Hi Mh,

No, don't put 2 answers. If you could do that, everyone would put several answers for each question. If you put 2 answers they will mark it wrong or just read the first answer.

...

Hi Hassan,

Both are fine and mean the same thing.

Good tips by the way!

...

Hi Bakr,

I'm glad you found us!

There is no real starting place - just have a look through the lessons to find what you need, and try to follow the new lessons every day.

...

Hi Moni,

You can use either 'is polluting' (it's happening now) or 'pollutes' (this happens regularly). Both are fine.

...

Hi Mehran,

There isn't really a best way - just do what you find useful. I'd probably do a bit of practice for each part every day, but I suppose it depends how much time you have.

[Christina]

Thank you so much Simon!

[Moroco Kurdish]

hi Simon,
Is it correct that the best way to avoid spelling errors (especially Capital and small letters) in listening section is to write all answers in Capital letters in the answer sheet?
thanks

[Simon]

Hi Moroco,

You don't need to do that - they don't care about mistakes with capital/small letters in the listening test. Using capital letters won't help you with spelling mistakes.

[Mushfig]

Hi Mr.Simon in Ielts test they asked me write my whole name in capital letter " MUSHFIG ALILI " but i wrote " Mushfig Alili " is it wrong .How it will impact my score ?? thanks

[SImon]

Don't worry. That won't affect your score.

[Pooja Shrivatava]

Hi Simon,

I have been taking a few mock tests online, in the listening test, they consider my answer to be wrong for some small mistakes like

letter and a Letter

absent from duty and absent frequently

prior and prior to

fifteen different and fifteen

6 and six

amount and amounts

are such small small mistakes accountable during the actual listening test

[Simon]

Hi Pooja,

If the answer is correct, alternatives are usually accepted. You can't always rely on online tests to give you all the alternatives, so don't worry too much.