The International English Language Testing System is a British English language testing system used internationally. The IELTS test is one of the most widely used foreign language exams in the world, alongside TOEFL.
IELTS Preparation
For those who care about their future. IELTS test preparation course at the AP Courses exam center
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What is IELTS, and why do you need it?
Recognition
The IELTS exam is recognized in many academic circles and educational institutions in Europe, the UK, the US, Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Academic
This version of the exam, or module, tests the academic knowledge of applicants who plan to enter higher education institutions in English-speaking countries. The certificate of completion is also used by specialists in certain fields who wish to improve their qualifications or undergo practical training.
General Training
The general module is taken by people who plan to:
- emigration to English-speaking countries;
- obtaining secondary education there;
- getting a job in your field.
Preparation for General Training IELTS is much easier, as this type of test does not require as deep a knowledge of English as the academic module.
How is the IELTS exam conducted, and how can one prepare for it?
The exam consists of four parts: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. Candidates must demonstrate their skills in speaking English, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. Therefore, preparation at AP Courses is comprehensive and includes various teaching methods.
Listening
4 sections, 40 questions: 40 minutes.
The candidate receives a questionnaire for audio recordings from 4 sections. They listen to the recordings and immediately take notes on important points for 30 minutes. Another 10 minutes are given to transfer the answers to the exam form. The recordings contain monologues and conversations between several people. The first two are on social needs, and the next two are on education.
The Academic and General Training modules are the same here.
Preparation methods: test simulation, Audio-Lingual Method, and Direct Method. Students learn to perceive speech by ear, regularly listening to audio recordings of native speakers, and communicate with the teacher exclusively in English.
Reading
3 sections, 40 questions: 60 minutes.
The participant must read the text and answer 40 questions.
The tasks in the modules differ. For the general module, there are short and medium-length texts on everyday topics, and a basic vocabulary is sufficient to answer the questions.
For the academic section, there are texts with more complex vocabulary and greater volume: 650–1000 words. To understand the topics, you need in-depth knowledge, so candidates will find it useful to be able to navigate different contexts and look for “clues” in familiar words in order to correctly understand new terms.
Preparation methods: Lexical Approach, test simulation. For General Training IELTS participants, preparation using the Lexical Approach method in an online format is particularly relevant, as it allows them to construct sentences in advance, understand contexts, and adapt to the speech of native speakers.
Academic Writing
Task 1: 20 minutes, Task 2: 40 minutes
In Task 1, participants are given certain data presented in a diagram, graph, or other illustration. They must retell the information in writing in a text of at least 150 words.
The second task is more difficult. The examiners present a problem that must be refuted, explained, or contradicted with the participant’s own opinion. That is, they must logically express their personal beliefs, analyze them, and compare them with the statement presented. Length: 250 words.
Preparation methods: test simulations, Lexical Approach.
General Training Writing
Task 1: 20 minutes, Task 2: 40 minutes
Task 1 tests the ability to:
- conduct professional communication;
- use complex speech structures;
- describe personal opinions competently.
Candidates must write a formal letter with a specific request and appeal.
The second task goes beyond the scope of correspondence. Here, you need to analyze the subject of discussion more skillfully. This tests the candidate’s ability to:
- demonstrate competence in specific topics;
- be able to formulate and develop complex arguments;
- mastering formal vocabulary.
Preparation methods: test simulations, Lexical Approach, Language Teaching.
Speaking
3 parts: 11–14 minutes
Part 1 lasts 4–5 minutes. Here, the examiner asks the participant general everyday questions, such as “Tell me something about yourself.”
In Part 2, the candidate receives a card with a specific topic, has a minute to prepare, and writes down the necessary information. They are given 1–2 minutes to speak, after which they must answer several questions that the examiner will ask for clarification. This part takes 3–4 minutes.
Part 3 logically continues Part 2, where the examiner asked specific questions. Now it is more difficult for the candidate, because here they must:
- draw conclusions;
- discuss issues raised earlier;
- verbally share your own opinions;
- understand the intricacies of issues and quickly find the right words in a short time (within 4-5 minutes).
Preparation methods: Language Teaching, Audio-Lingual Method, Direct Method, mock exams.
Individual IELTS preparation classes
Effective preparation for IELTS
Personalization
Fully personalized training program
Focus on what is important
Additional attention to current issues in the process
Flexible class schedule
No strict schedule, but respect for time
Cost of individual lessons
from 558 to 640 UAH/lesson
The price depends on the selected level and number of lessons
Group IELTS preparation
We have implemented technologies that help students effectively prepare for each section of the IELTS. You will be able to develop your English writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills to the maximum.
cost of a lesson
from 279 UAH/lesson
Why choose IELTS preparation with AP Courses?
Teacher experience
We have been preparing students for international exams since 2019. Our teaching staff regularly undergoes training from global examination organizations such as Language Cert. You can rely on our teachers because each of them has personally gone through the difficult process of preparing for international exams and knows how much effort it takes to finally achieve your goal. They will gladly reveal to students the secrets surrounding foreign languages.
Innovations in teaching
The uniqueness of this training lies in its unique approach. Our main achievement is the proprietary Close to You methodology. It facilitates effective interaction between the student and the knowledge. In class, the teacher uses modern technologies and applies expert methods in an improved online format. This helps students memorize the material, maintains their motivation to learn, and makes the teacher’s job easier.
How to pass the exam?
We emphasize that testing is only a check of the participant’s knowledge. The certificate is valid for two years, but knowledge lasts a lifetime, so set yourself a goal that is more important than passing the exam. Then your motivation will become a powerful support during the training course, and the IELTS certificate will be confirmation of your efforts.
That is why we give our students more than we promise: not only high-quality training, but also skills that will help them outside the classroom.
Recognition from authoritative organizations
AP Courses, as part of the AP Education Center, has the status of a platinum partner of the Cambridge Club and a recognized center for online preparation for international exams from Language Cert.
AP Courses teachers who prepare for IELTS
Julia
English
More than 4 years of teaching students aged 6-60, preparation for international exams, business, and conversational English.
Olga
English
4+ years of teaching experience. Teaching specialty – attention to detail. Passed ESOL, KITE (Kaplan International). Prepares for: ESOL, TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Assessment English, and Ukrainian exams NMT and EVI.
Natalia
English
Emphasizes the importance of “practicing incorrect speech” to train pronunciation and combat the fear of the language barrier. Chooses an individual pace for each student, encourages initiative, and works with adults and children.
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Frequently asked questions about IELTS preparation
What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?
TOEFL is designed to test American English. Usually, educational institutions in the US and Canada accept it, but admission requirements vary, and some universities also require IELTS results. IELTS tests British English. In most cases, it is required for admission and residence in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and 132 other countries around the world. These tests also have a number of differences in format, structure, and testing objectives.
Do I need to take a practice test before preparing?
Testing is necessary to determine your current level of knowledge. This will help us understand what strategy to choose and where to start so as not to waste time on what the student already knows, catch up on specific topics, calculate the time for each stage, and identify weaknesses. At AP Courses, a trial test is a mandatory part of preparation.
How much does it cost to take the official IELTS exam?
The cost of the only option available in Ukraine, IELTS Academic Online, is 5,840 hryvnias. If you plan to take the exam abroad, you can do so offline at a different price, but testing at exam centers is currently unavailable in Ukraine. The British Council’s official website has all the accurate information you need about candidate registration.
How often can I retake the IELTS if I am not satisfied with the result?
You can retake the IELTS an unlimited number of times, without any set breaks between attempts, as is the case with TOEFL. However, we advise you not to rush into a second attempt. To significantly improve your results, you should prepare more and take previous years’ exams, rather than just one year’s, as practice exams are used for this very purpose. This saves money and time.
Does the IELTS certificate help with immigration?
Yes, the General Training certificate is specifically designed for immigrants. Each country and social program has different individual requirements for the required number of points, and sometimes converts them into its own rating scale to determine the language level according to a specific measurement.
Can I prepare for IELTS and work/study at the same time?
Yes, the class schedule and workload of our courses allow students to easily integrate their preparation into their schedule. We have taken into account the busy schedules of others when developing our courses. Therefore, there are options where classes are held at different times: morning, afternoon, and evening. Students also have access to all lesson recordings to review at their convenience, chat with teachers, and a selection of frequently asked questions, where most answers can usually be found.
What are some common mistakes students make on the IELTS?
Common mistakes include “calquing” English from Ukrainian, inconsistencies between sentence members, so-called “obvious mistakes” in simple expressions, such as incorrect forms of verbs and adjectives, and the absence of connecting words between sentences, especially in the Speaking section. The preparation program dedicates a separate topic to typical potential mistakes.
Do you provide a certificate of completion for the IELTS preparation course?
Yes.