• Attempt Sample Papers / Practice Tests in real time to be aware of the instructions and time allowed in different parts of the test (for reading questions, transfer time, etc.). Build on your speed in completing the test in time, it will help you stay calm and confident throughout the real test-day.
• Understand different types of tasks and questions. For example, you should understand the process of labelling a plan/map in Section 1.
• Understand the main and specific points for solving multiple choice questions or looking for concrete facts in short answer questions.
• Practise the use of the many sub-skills of listening that are tested in IELTS. The skills of understanding timings in digital clocks, finding relevant information from the context, listening for the spellings of words and understanding paraphrased information and equivalent phrases are checked in questions that require listening for specific information.
• Use practice activities to develop your skill of listening for detailed information. This would include differentiating between descriptions, understanding and following directions, identifying the context of the language, recognizing ‘signpost words’ or words and phrases that indicate that the speaker is about to give information relevant to the question.
• Be familiar with questions that check understanding of the speaker’s opinions and attitude. Do practice activities to build skills of listening for implied meaning as well as literal meaning.
• Learn to identify and understand words that express the speaker’s emotions.
• You should learn to listen for repetition and recognise change of mind of the speaker.
• Work on your spellings and grammar before going in for your Listening Test. These are important elements of the marking criteria.
• You should find opportunities to talk to or listen to English speakers from different countries so as to become familiar with a variety of accents such as Australian, British, New Zealand and North American.
• Prepare yourself well so you understand a range of accents. Developing the habit of listening to English songs and watching television shows and English films without subtitles will help you become generally more proficient in listening to speech in English.
• Practice writing your answers on the question paper while listening and transferring answers on the answer sheet in the time allowed for this.

• In order to be best prepared for your IELTS Listening test, remember that more than in any other module, in listening concentration is key. Listen carefully to the recordings rather than just hearing them. Each recording plays only once.
• In each part of the test, you will first hear an introduction and then you will be allowed some time to read the questions and instructions before the rest of the recording for that part plays. Listen carefully to the introduction so that you get an understanding of who the speakers are and the situation or setting in which they would be talking on the tape.
• You must also quickly, but carefully, read the questions and instructions for each part during the time allotted for the same. Use this time to think about the topic under discussion and what the speakers may have to say.
• At any given time, remember to concentrate on two questions simultaneously – the question being addressed in the listening at the time and the question following it.
• In case you miss a question, do not panic, instead work on the next one.
• It is advisable to keep reading questions further into the next sections during the 30 seconds that are allotted for reading. This helps to be prepared in advance for the questions that will come further in the test, to make predictions and to make connections between questions.
• You must answer all the questions, even if you are unsure of an answer. Read the given examples to understand what needs to be done in each section of the test.
• Use the 10 minutes’ transfer time at the end of the test for guessing answers to any questions that you might have missed.
• Write all your answers in pencil so that you can easily make any changes, should you want to. Don’t worry if you have to cross out or change your answer.
• Write in a neat and clear handwriting. There is no negative marking in the Listening Test, therefore, you must attempt all questions, even if you are not sure of the answer or are only making a guess.

Don’t take long notes when the listening track is being played because there isn’t enough time and you might miss information that is relevant to the next question.

Remember that the recording will play only once. So quickly note down the answers on the question paper itself while the recording plays.

• Do not write answers on the answer sheet while the listening track is going on.
• Use the 10 minutes allowed at the end of the test to transfer your answers to the OMR.
• Do not paraphrase what you hear. Write down the exact words you hear that best fit the question, unless the question requires you to change its grammar to fit into the statement.
• If you hear speakers give you irrelevant information before getting to the point where you would hear your answer, do not get confused and keep listening carefully for keywords relating to your questions.
• Stick to the sequence of questions, the information on the tape will be presented in the same order as the questions.
• You can guess the meanings of unknown words based on the context provided to you.
• Don’t worry if you do not understand a few words, concentrate on the next question instead.
• Take care not to copy any words that were printed before or after the gaps on the question paper when transferring your answers to the OMR.
• Don’t lose marks by writing more than one answer when only one is required. Even if one of your answers is correct, you will not receive a mark.