Many students who study for IELTS nowadays face many challenges as beginners. It is very common for them to make mistakes in their IELTS speaking test. It is merely an aspect of their learning journey. However, to prevent such blunders, they should prevent a few common mistakes learners make during the test.
Blunders can occur during the exam when students are worried and nervous. However, these errors can be easily prevented if they are aware of what not to do in the test. At Gradding.com, the experts offer useful advice on online IELTS speaking test and more.
Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes in Your IELTS Speaking Exam
Students learn to avoid mistakes in the future if they have the habit of identifying and correcting them. Hence, being aware of such mistakes can be helpful for them. That is why they should avoid these common mistakes during the speaking test IELTS listed below:
Speaking Without Confidence
It’s normal for you to feel anxious throughout your test. Speaking like a newsreader is not what your IELTS interviewer is looking for. However, you wouldn’t benefit from groaning and averting your gaze. Interacting with your examiner in the same way as you would with a friend or coworker is helpful. You should also make eye contact and smile at times.
Trying to Memorize the Answers
For the IELTS speaking exam, retention of answers is not as helpful as it would be for written exams. If you were trying to repeat an answer from memory, it would be obvious because your response wouldn’t flow naturally in a debate. It would be easier to respond honestly with what is currently on your mind rather than memorising answers.
Answering “yes” or “no” Without Giving an Adequate Explanation
However, it is not a good idea to talk in excess. But, not talking enough can also be a problem for IELTS aspirants. If you only answer with “yes” or “no,” the examiner will not understand the whole context without a proper explanation. Hence, you will not be able to prove your fluency and ability. You will be given proper info on the duration of the speaking test, based on which you can determine how long it will take you to respond. You will typically need to answer with two to six sentences, depending on the question. Take the online IELTS speaking test to help you get over your anxiety.
Using Transition Words Excessively
Using transition words can be helpful for learners, but not always. You can use words like “for example”, “on the other hand”, or “first”, but not excessively. Overusing such words can lower your overall IELTS scores and will make you sound unnatural. Additionally, using words like “in addition” and “furthermore” may sound awkward in conversation, so it’s best to avoid using them.
Using Words and Phrases Repeatedly
Using the same words or sentences over and over again will not help you score higher on the IELTS speaking since it gives the impression that your speaking variety is limited. Learning synonyms or expanding your vocabulary are two benefits of explaining the same event or thing in different ways. As a result, pupils interact more creatively.
Getting Off Subject
It might be simple to veer off subject at times, especially if you don’t pay attention to the question or fail to fully understand your answer. Unfortunately, talking more does not always translate into more points. You can lose points for clarity if your response doesn’t answer the question. Determine if you understand the question completely before answering it. Also, asking the examiner to repeat the question will not lower your score so go for it. Try taking an online IELTS speaking test to gain a better understanding.
Pronunciation Errors
If the listener can’t comprehend what you are saying, even the best ideas are useless. Since speech is essential to speaking, it seems sensible that it accounts for 25% of the score. You should look for opportunities to practice with native or near-native speakers and receive a candid review of your speaking skills before taking the IELTS. The IELTS speaking examiner may experience difficulty with hearing if they do.
Conclusion
To conclude, in addition to students’ hard effort and attention to studying for English proficiency exams such as IELTS and PTE, the efforts they put in are extremely essential. Remember to steer clear of the above mistakes on your IELTS test because it’s half the fight won when you know what not to do! However, it’s also crucial to take the necessary steps to prepare for every aspect of your test properly. However, it is vital to remain attentive at all times to prevent mistakes in the exam. Try solving several listening, speaking, writing, and IELTS reading mock test. This will help you present yourself confidently in the test and perform well.
