Beware of the Over-prepare! Here is a story of a student who got on the wrong track!
Once upon a time, there was student.
This student wanted desperately to get a 7.5 on the IELTS exam.
In fact, this student, let’s call him Biff, was a quite high-level English student, having completed every level in the local language school.
Any teacher who spoke with Biff was sure he was at the upper-intermediate to advanced level in his English abilities.
Biff had big dreams.
He wanted to study marketing in a respected university in England, then take his degree back to his home country.
With these skills, knowledge of Western culture and business practices, as well as being fluent in English, he would definitely land a dream job, making his parents and future wife proud.
He would also be able to provide an enviable life for his future wife and children.
However, in order to achieve these dreams, Biff needed, first, to pass the IELTS exam with at least an overall band score of 7.
Of course, Biff is an overachiever by nature, so he is aiming for a 7.5.
Seeing as Biff is already confident in his English ability, he decides that all he really needs is test practice.
So, he goes to a bookstore and purchases 10 test preparation books.
Actually, these books are not really test preparation, as they only have sample tests and no tips or strategies.
Biff works through the first couple books, and is pretty happy with his results.
On the reading and listening portions, he is consistently getting at least 34 out of 40 answers correct.
He decides to just go for the exam.
So, he pays his fees and takes the test.
Two weeks later, he gets his scores: Writing 6, Speaking 7, Reading 6.5, Listening 6.
“What!” he thinks.
How is this possible?
Biff decides he needs to practice more.
So, he goes through all 10 books, many times.
He does at least 2 full tests a day.
After a week or so, he finds that his scores are actually going down!
He is now only getting 25-30 out of 40.
But, how is that possible?
He’s practicing so much!
Shouldn’t he improve?!
What is Biff doing wrong?
He is not approaching his preparation correctly.
It doesn’t matter what level of English you have, or how advanced you think you are.
If you do too much test practice, your scores will go down.
I’ve seen it a million times!
What you must have, in order to get the score you need on IELTS and, ultimately, achieve your dreams, is a BALANCED IELTS study plan.
You must work on your weaknesses, maintain confidence in your strengths, and work on you testing skills AND your overall English ability.
In our course, 3 Keys IELTS Success System, we provide you with a 30 day and a 60 day study plan.
For 5-6 days a week, you are given one activity that improves your testing skills, along with one activity that improves your overall English.
Every task and activity in this course is aimed at improving your testing confidence and your English ability.
The modules provide simple strategies for even the most difficult parts of the test, such as answering Y/N/NG questions, and also give you the motivation you need to work hard and keep increasing your testing and language skills.
So, don’t be like Biff!
Don’t over-prepare on one side, and actually make your scores decrease.
Improve your scores AND your English ability with a balanced study plan and a solid course.
Have you prepared for IELTS like Biff?
Let us know in the comments!
How are you doing it differently now?
