Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why take the IELTS/PTE/OET/CELPIP/SELT?
There are several reasons for that. Some wish to study abroad in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand. Others desire to work in a foreign country. And then, a few might even want to start a business venture there.
In all these scenarios, you may have to sit for one of these below-mentioned tests if you are a non-native English speaker:
2. What do these exams test?
Samit’s English Academy prepares you for IELTS/PTE/OET/CELPIP/SELT, tests that check how good you are in English in all its four aspects – Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
You have to display an accepted level of command of the language, in order to satisfy the admission requirements in colleges/universities in different countries. As well as to comply with the immigration laws of these nations.
3. How is the IELTS test taken?
They can be taken in two ways:
You get to choose. One is not easier than the other. But not all tests provide you this option. PTE, CELPIP, and SELT are exclusively computer-based tests. On the other hand, IELTS and TOEFL will allow you to choose.
4. How many types of IELTS are there?
The test comes in two flavours – IELTS Academic, and IELTS General Training.IELTS Academic is meant for study and licensing purposes. Students, and medical professionals, therefore, opt for IELTS Academic.
However, you and I who are seeking highly-skilled ‘jobs of a non-technical nature’ must sit for the General Training IELTS test in Delhi and elsewhere. The same applies to our friends who wish to set up a startup venture there.
5. Is it necessary to take coaching for IELTS preparation?
Yes and no. There are those who simply study the test format, solve a few sample tests, and then go ahead and ace it on the appointed day. They make light work of it, and make people feel that coaching is not required. They are right in thinking so, though only partially. IELTS is ‘easy’ as long as you are already quite proficient in that language.
But IELTS may be a handful if you are not very comfortable in English. Many Indians fall in this category, as they grow up in an atmosphere listening primarily to Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, and other regional tongues. They suffer from what is often described as ‘hesitation’, a problem compounded by heavily accented speech and mother tongue influence.
For such candidates, coaching may be necessary. The mentor can, at the very least, provide guidance as well as a tentative schedule for daily preparation. Not to mention, explain to you patiently why some things are the way they are, and how to solve problems that are rather confusing, to it mildly.
6. How do you prepare your students?
We believe in adopting a balanced approach towards IELTS preparation. While it is not a ‘difficult’ sense in the usual sense of the word, there can be no doubt that it requires sustained preparation and regular practice. We try to cover 2 – at times more – modules in each class. Speaking sessions and mock tests are held every other day. A number of writing papers of each student are checked, thoroughly preparing the latter for any eventuality. IELTS Academic students are also given more practice on Reading, as many tend to flounder there. All sections are covered well in time, and you are left with several days to clear all your doubts.
Do not focus on any one module to the exclusion of the rest. The IELTS paper has a nasty habit of coming up with unpleasant surprises, and a lopsided approach can cost you dear.
7. Are 5 weeks enough to prepare for IELTS?
Yes, it is more than sufficient to cover the entire course thoroughly and be prepared enough to take the test. For most of us. However, those who may want to put in a couple of weeks more for a final burst of effort, can surely do so. After all, test dates are available throughout the year, and they are valid for 2 years from the date of announcement of the results. So, the onus is on you to plan your moves carefully.
8. Will I be joining a fresh batch of students or an ongoing one? Won’t I miss out on anything?
Since IELTS & PTE exams are held every other week in the course of a year or so, it is nearly impossible to start a fresh batch each time. You may find yourself in a new batch of students, though that would be no more than a happy coincidence. More often than not, students join, master the syllabus, take the exam and clear it with flying colors.
9. But, if I join in the middle of a session, will I not face difficulties getting along with the rest of the group and understanding what is being taught?
No, absolutely no. The test has a set syllabus, and most units are standalone in nature. You don’t need to master one to tackle the other. Take IELTS reading for example. You can easily learn how to solve Paragraph Matching questions even if you have missed class on Fill in the Blanks. An IELTS Coaching Institute like Samit’s English Academy makes you outperform the rest of the class. And then shine brilliantly in the actual IELTS test itself!
10. But how will I catch up on what I have missed already? And if I am unable to attend a couple of sessions, how do I make up for those?
No problems on that count too. During preparation, all papers will be taught in a cycle. One week we spend on Reading. The rest – Listening, Writing, Speaking – are taken up in a definite order. And the cycle begins once again. So, even if you miss one entire module, stay back till you complete what you have missed. Not only do all our students undergo this process but also leave the Academy thoroughly satisfied and fully prepared to face any eventuality on the test day. So will you too. Rest assured that there is no need to worry.