Do you ever doubt that you can be successful with the IELTS test? Could it be that you have some enemies who are preventing you from IELTS success?
Enemy #1 - The Promise of a Shortcut
I was shocked when I first received the advertisement!
It said that I could buy an official IELTS certificate with my money and I didn’t even have to take the test.
Could this be true? Of course not because it was a scam. The scammer was asking for double the price that it would cost me to take the IELTS exam.
The temptation is real, isn’t it? If you have an official IELTS certificate with a good band score, you don’t need to study English anymore, you don’t need to take the test, and you can get acceptance into a good university. But what happens next?
Since I work in an American university and have helped many students prepare for university studies, I know how difficult it is for students who do not have sufficient English skills. Some of them end up failing their university classes and have to return to their home country in shame.
The IELTS test measures your English proficiency. If you have a strong English proficiency, you are able to face the challenge of university studies in English. When you graduate with a university degree, you have better chances of getting a good job. It is worth the effort to become proficient in English!
Don’t fall for these scams! They are a waste of money and jeopardize your future.
Are all promises of shortcuts scammy?
What are some other promises of shortcuts that students sometimes believe?
“If you use this strategy or tip, then you can make a great band score.”
Don’t get me wrong. It is helpful to learn strategies and tips for test success. I share a lot of helpful strategies with students. Here is a helpful reading practice approach, but it takes time.
However, if you believe the promise that a great strategy or tip is all you need to show your English proficiency, they you are likely trying to take a shortcut.
Enemy #2 - Your Test Anxiety
Many students have shared stories with me about how they froze during the IELTS exam. They told me about how their minds went blank and they couldn’t remember what they had learned. Has this ever happened to you?
Test anxiety is real. The stress of taking the IELTS exam and other types of tests can cause fear and anxiety. What can you do if you struggle with text anxiety like this? Here are a few helpful ideas:
- Prepare regularly and consistently in advance. Perhaps, you need to understand how to build your vocabulary. Good preparation is one way to build confidence.
- Pay attention to your body during the test. Are you leaning over too much. Sit up straight and be sure to breathe full breaths. Getting oxygen to your brain helps with focus.
- Practice with someone you feel comfortable with. Practicing for a test with your parents, a brother or sister, or a good friend who you feel comfortable with helps you relax and concentrate. Then, when you take the test, just imagine you are with your family member or friend. The test examiner is just another normal person just like you anyway.
- Encourage yourself before and after the test. We can be our own worst critics. Instead of saying negative comments to yourself, imagine you are talking to a friend before and after the test and say the things you would say to your friend. If you need to understand a growth mindset, this video can help.
There are many strategies for dealing with test anxiety. What strategy have you found that works well for you?
Enemy #3 - Your Habits
What are your habits?
If your habits do not help you build the language skills needed for test success, then you need to examine your habits.
Great athletes like Michael Jordan and Cristiano Ronaldo have practiced over and over so many times that their moves are part of their muscle memory. Repetition helps to automate skills.
In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear says, “The quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits. With the same habits, you’ll end up with the same results. But with better habits, anything is possible.”
Your habits can be an enemy of your success if your habits are bad. For example, studying only before a test is not a successful habit for long-term success. Depending on translation software is another bad habit language learners sometimes use. Constantly checking social media while you are studying is also a bad habit that keeps you from focusing.
On the other hand, if you have a system of regular review of your vocabulary and other things you learned, you have a good habit. I used this system during graduate school and it helped me. I reviewed my notes from the day’s classes at the end of every day, then I reviewed all my notes from the week on Saturdays. This system made a big difference for me when I took the tests.
What do you need to do to beat your enemies?
Each person is different. Your enemy might be different than someone else’s enemy. Take some time to figure out what your test success enemy might be. Then, make a plan to overcome.
I would love to hear from you in the comments below or on social media. I’ll be cheering for your success!