Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.

Henry Ford

When Jade and I prepared to take the IELTS for Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker program requirements, we did so DIY. Jade was in-charge of finding materials and planning our schedule. And I was helping out by sharing what I knew about the exam. We did not enrol into a preparatory course. Hopefully, the notes I share here will be helpful to you as well.

Personally, I also leveraged on understanding the IELTS in different ways. The test and I go way back, as if we were childhood best friends. I’ve been teaching language test prep skills to ESL students since 2009. And at one point, I trained on the basics of language testing. This means, I was part of benchmark setting meetings, and I learned what these tests were for. In addition to that, I trained and supervised raters – people who assessed answers to Writing and Speaking tests, similar to the IELTS. So taking the IELTS is definitely up my alley.

I do hope you find this as a useful primer for your preparations, whether or not you are taking the IELTS for Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker program requirements.

Let’s dive in!

Why Do We Need to Take the IELTS?

In general, Express Entry candidates need to prove their Language Ability. This is regardless of stream.

And English- speaking candidates can prove their language ability by taking the IELTS.

Why do we need to prove our English ability for Express Entry?

This is because English is one of Canada’s official languages. So IRCC wants to know if we will be able to communicate with other people in the country we’re moving to. Our language ability also adds to our score on the Comprehensive Ranking System. Specifically, it counts towards our Human Capital score and our Skill Transferability scores.

These are why we need to take the IELTS.

What IELTS Score Do We Need?

Candidates for the Express Entry – Federal Skill Worker stream need at least a CLB 7 for all abilities. These abilities include Speaking, Listening, Writing and Reading.

However, does CLB 7 equal an IELTS Band 7? No.

This table shows the CLB levels and IELTS bands.

As shown here, CLB 7 equals IELTS Band 6.0 for each skill.

(Notice that this table shows IELTS bands on IELTS – General Training. Do not take IELTS Academic for your Express Entry application!)

Now that we know the actual language requirement (CLB 7) and its IELTS band equivalent, we go to the fun part.

How Do We Get Band 6 on the IELTS?

Frankly, this is the best part. This is the part where we visualize. We use our imagination to set our goal. Our goal gives us motivation. It’s like the wallpaper we need. We unlock our phones and it’s the first thing we see. And without this goal, we run around, preparing blindly.

Now, on the surface, you get a Band 6 by knowing what it takes to get a Band 6:

• Know how many mistakes you can make.
• Read how a Band 6 Writing response looks like.
• Find out how a Band 6 in Speaking sounds like.

Scroll down to get more specifics!

In the next sections, I will be referencing to this page: IELTS scoring in detail.

Get Band 6 on the Reading Test for IELTS for Express Entry

To start, here are my notes for the Reading test.

This is the score equivalency table:

So when I say we need to know how many mistakes we can make, ten (10) will be the magic number on the Reading test. This is the allowable number of mistakes to get a Reading Band 6.

Practice Tips for the IELTS Reading Test

What Jade and I did was put a 40-item worksheet together, and try to finish within 60 minutes.

For example, we could do this set of three exercises from https://www.english-exam.org:

• https://www.english-exam.org/IELTS/ielts_reading/946/
• https://www.english-exam.org/IELTS/ielts_reading/703/
• https://www.english-exam.org/IELTS/ielts_reading/970/

During practice, what’s important is to get to know the types of questions in the Reading test. And then strategize on finding the answer. So from a DIY perspective, the trick is still to keep practising. Fortunately, there are many free resources out there. And when in doubt IELTS.org does have official Sample test questions.

The first step is to be aware of the types of questions, and even the types of reading materials. The next step is knowing how to find the answers. Pro Tip: In the spirit of fairness, the test will not send you flying around the page. This is especially true for questions like #1 and #2 here. The answer to #1 will be on the first half of the reading. For #2, it will be from the middle to the latter.

Keep repeating and reviewing practice tests until familiar with the format, and you’re committing less mistakes! Work your way to ten mistakes or less.

Get Band 6 on the Listening Test for IELTS for Express Entry

Next on the list is my ultimate favourite: the IELTS Listening test.

This is the table for scores and bands:

Looking at the table, the scoring seems kinder for the Listening test. To get a Band 6, test-takers only need 23 correct answers out of 40. That’s way more allowable mistakes than the Reading test! However, I’d also take it as a bit of precaution. Because more mistakes allowed means it is expected that test-takers need more leeway on this part of the exam. On the other hand, it is definitely not impossible to get a higher band.

Practice Tips for the IELTS Listening Test

What I would suggest is to treat the Listening test as a separate exam. Box this test in because although it is short, it will require 100% attention. Any person with sufficient language ability, can get a higher score on IELTS Listening if only they can pay attention long enough.

So first of all, remember that the Listening test is for 30 minutes. Secondly, the audio will not be replayed. If you lose focus even for just three to five seconds, you could miss out on a lot. That can mean missed answers. This then leads to more mark downs. And mark downs equal mistakes. This is why I personally focused on staying focused. It’s like a test of ability and endurance.

Like the Reading exam, there are different task types on the Listening test. So grab as many samples and sheets, and work on staying focused, more than anything else. Forget the nerves. Don’t think about getting the questions wrong. These will only make you lose focus more. Just relax. This is practice time, so practice on what you need to do. Practice listening!

Next, we look at the more technical Writing and Speaking tests!

Get Band 6 on the Writing Test for IELTS for Express Entry

For both IELTS Writing and Speaking tests, test- takers can download the assessment criteria.

These are for the two Writing tasks:

For the IELTS Writing test, it is most important to note the four main criteria for each task:

• Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
  • So for these two criteria, test-takers need to prove they can follow instructions. And they must follow the instructions through and through!
• Coherence and Cohesion
  • Here, it is important that the writing makes sense and sentences are connected. For example, if the topic is about the process of making honey, anything closely related must be properly linked, or may not be mentioned at all. If it does not make sense to add or write, don’t.
• Lexical Resource
  • This criterion simply refers to vocabulary. Basically, does the test-taker use the same words over and over again? Or do they use synonyms? At the same time, it is important that words are spelled and used correctly. At Band 6, attempts to use big words are expected. Errors are also expected on these attempts.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
  • Similarly, this criterion also checks for variety and correctness. But this time, it checks for grammar and grammar patterns. And if there are any errors, these should not badly or often affect understanding. This means that even if a written response has grammatical errors, these errors should not make the assessor say, “What did they say?!” Or at least not very often when they are reading the answer.

Get Band 6 on the Speaking Test for IELTS for Express Entry

Similar to the Writing test, the assessment criteria is also available for the Speaking test.

These are the main criteria to be noted:

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Pronunciation

I will also post a separate discussion of these criteria later. But, at this point, it is important to note that Pronunciation plays a factor in the Speaking test. So speak clearly. Listen to as many conversations in English as possible and try to duplicate. When able, try to add some style.

For reference, watch how former US President Barack Obama delivers his lines. He doesn’t speak on and on. Instead, he pauses. Because that’s natural – to stop and think. But also, that’s style – to pause and let your words sink in.

Key Takeaways for IELTS for Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker

So for all of the above, the first challenge is to commit to practice. However, I can guarantee that the more focused a test- taker is, the more chances they have to miss less. Take away the self- doubt. Treat practice as practice. It is also important to focus on the goal. Rather than running around blindly, make it a mission to hit one benchmark. And after surpassing that, aim for the next. Try to meet each criteria for IELTS Band 6, and then try to aim for Band 7 if you still feel up to it. But the first goal is to meet the minimum language requirement for Express Entry.

That said, yes, taking the IELTS for Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker program requirements is a big deal. But it is also important that, in order to perform, we need to be present. Stay in the now. Focus on the task.

Next, it is important to make the effort. Make the effort to actually read. Make the effort to actually listen. And then try to duplicate the vocabulary, the accent, the fluidity.

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I hope these help in getting perspective on IELTS Test Prep. I will be adding more notes about this topics soon – So stay tuned!

Thank you for visiting my blog! And see you on the next post!