IELTS origin, history, its obstacles, and how to conquer?

As we know that IELTS test is a standardized test that is meant for the pupil to go abroad either for settlement or for higher studies. The pupil who applies for it needs to have a certain level of language understanding then only they will be able to get their required scores. Until today we have known many things about this test but today, we are going back into the time to know when it got started, who started it and etc.

History and Origin: It started in the year 1980 by the combination of Cambridge University along with British Council with the venture name as UCLS University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate. In the beginning the test takers were 4000 and then slowly rose up to 10000 in just a span of 5 years. Also, there were lot of hurdles or challenges to be faced with managing and conducting the test. It was a crucial turn to get the international standards into the test designing and into the contents then IDP the International Development of Australian Colleges and Universities collaborated with Cambridge English Language Assessment and with the British Council as well.

This giant joint venture changed the name of the test as IELTS which International English Language Testing System which came into existence from 1989. Since then, until now the revisions of design have been made thrice in the years 1995, 2001 and 2005, to look alike as it is today. 

Now let us see what all the criteria presently IELTS is using to evaluate the students.

• In speaking they look for fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, accuracy and pronunciation.  
• In writing they consider Task Achievement (in task 1), Task Achievement (in task 2), Coherence and cohesion, Lexical   Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
•  In listening the criteria would be the scores which you get for 40 questions but the main key area to focus is accuracy, keen listening, evaluation of extras, native accent and regular practices. 
• In reading the bench marks would be skim and scan method the scores which you get for 40 questions but focus to get that is skim and scan method, vocabularies, identify the real meaning of the question, synonyms, distinguish the differences between question types, analyzing on the main key word and accuracy.

What are the obstacles in road mapping the practices?

When we try to attempt any exam we get to face lot of hindrances so, by crossing them we learn to achieve or conquer the result of it with complete confidence. Check down for the few obstacles we get and how we can overcome that as well.

• Thought that initially as just an English exam and not preparing for it.
• Looking to do the reading paragraphs as a general school/college task of comprehension.
• Not able to manage the time in reading and writing modules.
• Able to speak but not write in English or vice versa of it which is impacted either on the speaking module or writing module.
• Mother tongue influence more while speaking which impacts in the speaking test.
• Swallowing of words while speaking or not being clear with pronunciations leads to unclear or nonunderstandable speech in speaking.
• Shortage of vocabulary will always be a breaking point with which the complete sentences are just normal.
• More of spelling errors, structures, and grammatical mistakes make the task lose with its flow or look.
• Lack of concentration in the listening tests for all four parts.
•  Beating around the bush on the same question which is missed out and with which time-lapse would happen.
• Lack of keen listening skills as it is needed to erase extra information and to get the exact accurate answer for the questions.
• Not being exposed to the foreign accent in which the native speakers speak.
• Lack of accuracy and speed in reading the question and attempting the answer.
• Not knowing or having the guidance of any tutor while practicing. 
• Procrastinations in practices will always make the practices worse.
• Lack of balancing the methods along with time for all modules.

Also Read: How to Secure an Admission in Top LLB Colleges in India?

Now let’s see how to overcome these hindrances with simple logic applied:

• These all can be sorted out with the effort and practices you render upon it.
• Initially, practice with the skill of attempting with each module.
• Then practice this along with time which is needed to be balanced.
• Give out the exam once you finish the practices without any gaps in between so that, you would be at ease.
• To improve on listening skills try to listen to more podcasts or news or watch movies which makes you get exposure on keen listening and accent practices.
• To work on speaking skills practice talking to your known people around in English and try talking more about yourself because these days many of them practice with different topics and forget to explain themselves elaborately.
• Keep practicing it even while texting the messages in any social media platform as well this not only helps in improving your speaking abilities but also in your thought process. 
• To have a hand on reading it’s always better to read quickly and try to understand what exactly you read. 
• Practice more on skim and scan methods which will crack out the technique of doing the reading sessions.

• Acquire the knowledge of writing by knowing more about vocabulary or lexical words, structural grammar, maintaining the coherence of the task, and having a proper word count for both tasks.
• Divide the time for both tasks and practice along with it to be in time to give the paper and do re-read the paper before submission to quickly erase the minute mistakes of articles or to add any synonyms.

These all LSRW modules are there to push your English language skills to an altitude where you will feel its toughness but never break down or give up for these will fetch you the prosperous results to go abroad and establish your future strategies.