IELTS in Pakistan: Preparation Practices, Activities & Test-Taking Strategies

Abstract

Abstract

This paper investigates test preparation strategies among IELTS test-takers in Pakistan: their knowledge of the test, the activities they undertake to improve the required language skills, the test-taking strategies they know or apply, and possible reasons why many of them usually score lower than their target band score. The study involved an online questionnaire administered to 118 candidates from eight important regions of Pakistan i.e. Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The non-probability sampling technique was used to select the participants.  The study discusses how IELTS candidates can avoid potentially negative attitudes, and better prepare for the IELTS test.  Furthermore, the study also discusses various factors in relation with IELTS test preparation and their impact on the test results. These factors include test-takers' prior perceptions of the test, and their test taking strategies for the test they are planning to take. The study concludes with some implications for test-takers, test-preparation centers, and IELTS tutors to consider while preparing/planning/tutoring for the English language proficiency test.

       Keywords: IELTS test-takers, IELTS test format, IELTS test preparation activities, IELTS test-taking strategies.