IELTS Difficulty: How Hard is IELTS? Know What to Expect

So, how hard is the IELTS? Many test takers struggle with similar issues when it comes to the IELTS exam. ‘IELTS difficulty’ is no rare occurrence. Today we’ll examine the areas of IELTS difficulties our students face.

We’re going to address the most challenging IELTS test parts.  We’ll discuss the common IELTS challenges and key E2Language tips and strategies to avoid these problems.

Speaking Part 2

IELTS Difficulty: Don’t repeat yourself! 

In this section you’re given a task card. You will then have to speak for 2 minutes. Unknowingly repeating the same story is a common speaking mistake in the test.

The real problem is most people finish their actual “story” in about 40 seconds and then just repeat it again and again.

The key is to use the PPF (Past, Present, Future) Method to tackle IELTS Speaking. This way you will be able to tell three different stories based on the task card.

Learn everything you need to know about the PPF Method with Jay:

You see! Not only will it get you to 2 minutes but it’ll also make you use a range of verbs.

Yes, mistakes are plenty on the IELTS Speaking. Avoid them today! The Most Common IELTS Speaking Mistakes!

Which IELTS test should you choose? Let’s help you decide: IELTS Academic vs IELTS General

Writing Task 2

IELTS Difficulty: Writing to the word count!

Do NOT fall short of the required word count!

Around 20% of candidates don’t write 250 words or more. You will lose a whole band score or more for the criterion called task response. Don’t underestimate this, in fact, listen to what Jay has to say in this recent video on IELTS Writing Task 2.

TIP: Jay says that your word count ‘may possibly be the single most important tip for IELTS Writing.’

Find these #7 IELTS Study Tips to get you in the study mindset.

General Writing Task 1

IELTS Difficulty: Don’t mix your paragraphs!

Each paragraph should cover one dot point on the task card.

In other words, keep it organised. Make sure to watch the webinars we have up on the E2 IELTS YouTube Channel which cover the best ways to structure paragraphs.

Academic Writing Task 1

IELTS Difficulty: Comparing relevant data.

Choose two aspects of the graph and compare them.

For example, compare men and women or Thailand’s imports vs Cambodia’s imports (or something similar). Be specific and make sure you include percentages, numbers or other data.

Reading

IELTS Difficulty: Misunderstanding the question types!

Learn the question types.

Some of these tasks are honestly conceptually hard to understand. Two really tricky task types are: True / False / Not Given and Yes / No / Not Given.

Others like ‘Match Sentence Endings’ are just confusing!

Here’s a helpful lesson video on Yes / No / Not Given:

Learn ALL of the in’s and out’s for your IELTS test preparation. 

Listening

IELTS Difficulty: Misunderstanding the question types!

Like reading, you must know what the question types are because you do not have time to understand them as you go.

The best advice when it comes to both IELTS Reading and Listening is: set enough time aside to PRACTICE.

IELTS difficulty can be diluted with the right amount of preparation and understanding. Your desired score is very much possible. Be willing to learn the right methods, and put those strategies to practice.

Don’t let IELTS difficulty discourage you. Instead, kick-start your IELTS preparation by registering for one of the E2 Free Live Classes.
Know what to expect on test day by reading: IELTS Listening Tips: How to Boost Your Score!

Check out Jay vs IELTS: Round 2 | Predicting My IELTS Score to hear about what his experiences were like on test day.

Written by Olivia.