IELTS & Test Preparation

Proven strategies and free resources to help Nepali students achieve their target IELTS scores for international admissions.

📚 Essential Resources

British Council IELTS Prep

Official preparation materials, practice tests, and study plans directly from the test makers.

IELTS Liz

Free lessons, tips, and practice exercises. Excellent for understanding band descriptors and common mistakes.

Cambridge Practice Tests

Authentic practice materials and sample tests with detailed answer keys and explanations.

🎯 Proven Strategies

⏰ Time Management

  • Reading: 20 minutes per passage, leave 5 minutes for transfer
  • Writing Task 1: 20 minutes maximum
  • Writing Task 2: 40 minutes (more important for overall score)
  • Listening: Use the 10-minute transfer time wisely

Writing Task 2 Templates

Opinion Essay Structure

Introduction:
- Hook + Background + Thesis Statement

Body Paragraph 1:
- Topic sentence supporting your opinion
- Explanation + Example + Result

Body Paragraph 2:
- Topic sentence with additional support
- Explanation + Example + Result

Conclusion:
- Restate thesis + Summarize main points + Final thought

Speaking Strategies

Part 1: Personal Questions

  • Give extended answers (3-4 sentences)
  • Use present, past, and future tenses
  • Add personal examples and reasons

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

  • Use the full 2 minutes
  • Make notes during 1-minute prep time
  • Cover all points on the cue card
  • Use discourse markers (firstly, moreover, finally)

Part 3: Discussion

  • Give longer, more analytical answers
  • Compare, contrast, and evaluate
  • Use complex grammar structures
  • Show awareness of different perspectives

📖 Reading Techniques

Skimming & Scanning

  1. Read the title and subheadings first (1 minute)
  2. Skim the first and last paragraph (2 minutes)
  3. Read questions before the passage (2 minutes)
  4. Scan for keywords and answer location
  5. Read around the keywords for context

🎧 Listening Practice Drills

Prediction Practice

Before listening, read questions and predict what type of answer you need (number, name, adjective, etc.)

Synonym Recognition

IELTS tests paraphrasing. Practice identifying when speakers use different words with the same meaning.

Note-Taking System

Develop shorthand for common words. Use abbreviations and symbols to capture information quickly.

📅 Study Timeline

8-Week Preparation Plan

  • Weeks 1-2: Diagnostic test + Identify weak areas
  • Weeks 3-4: Focus on weakest section + Daily vocabulary
  • Weeks 5-6: Practice all sections + Time management
  • Weeks 7-8: Full practice tests + Review mistakes

🇳🇵 Nepal-Specific Tips

Common Grammar Issues

  • Article usage (a/an/the)
  • Preposition confusion (in/on/at)
  • Verb tenses in conditional sentences

Pronunciation Guide for Nepali Speakers

🔤 Critical Sound Differences
V vs W
✓ Very /ˈveri/ ✗ Wery
Touch your bottom lip with top teeth for 'v' sound
TH Sounds
✓ Think /θɪŋk/ ✗ Sink
Tongue tip between teeth, blow air gently
R vs L
✓ Rice /raɪs/ ✗ Lice
Curl tongue back slightly for 'r', touch roof for 'l'
Final Consonants
✓ Card /kɑːrd/ ✗ Car
Don't drop final consonants - pronounce them clearly
📢 Word Stress Patterns
Two Syllables:
  • PRE-sent (noun) vs pre-SENT (verb)
  • RE-cord (noun) vs re-CORD (verb)
Common Mistakes:
  • ✓ pho-TO-gra-phy ✗ PHO-to-gra-phy
  • ✓ u-ni-VER-si-ty ✗ u-NI-ver-si-ty
🎯 Practice Exercises
Daily Minimal Pairs (5 minutes):
  • very - wary, vest - west, vine - wine
  • think - sink, path - pass, moth - moss
  • rice - lice, right - light, read - lead
Sentence Stress Practice:

"I went to the SHOP to buy some BREAD."
Stress content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives), not function words

💡 Pro Tip: Record yourself reading IELTS speaking prompts and compare with native speakers on YouTube. Focus on rhythm and stress patterns, not just individual sounds.

Cultural Context

  • Practice with Western academic topics
  • Learn about education systems abroad
  • Understand formal vs informal registers

💡 Final Reminders

  • Consistency beats intensity: 1 hour daily is better than 7 hours once a week
  • Use official materials: Stick to British Council and Cambridge resources
  • Practice under exam conditions: Timed practice with no distractions
  • Book early: IELTS slots fill up quickly in Nepal
  • Computer vs Paper: Choose based on your typing speed and comfort