Why do people who are fluent in English end up failing in IELTS

Recently, an increasing number of persons who are native English speakers have discovered that they are unable to pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This is because the IELTS does not assess English fluency. It's a test for a very particular set of competencies, and you won't be able to pass if you don't have them.
The IELTS is designed to test your ability to use English in an academic setting. This means that it is testing your ability to read, write, and speak in English at a level that would be appropriate for university study. In order to do this, the IELTS has to test a number of different skills.

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There are a number of reasons why people who are fluent in English may fail in IELTS. Below are some of the most common reasons:

1. They don't understand the differences between British and American English

IELTS is a British English exam. This means that you will need to be familiar with British spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. If you are used to American English, you will likely make mistakes in the exam which could cost you dearly.

The IELTS is a test of British English, so it's important to be familiar with common spelling and grammar differences between the two dialects. For example, British English uses "-ise" spellings while American English relies on "-ize".There are also many words that have different meanings in British and American English; if you're not familiar with these differences, it can lead to confusion and ultimately lower scores on the IELTS.

2. Understanding the IELTS marking criteria

People who are native English speakers may struggle with the IELTS since they are not used to taking standardised assessments. Students take standardised examinations on a regular basis in numerous countries, including the United States. Standardized tests, on the other hand, are less frequent in other nations, such as the United Kingdom. As a result, those who aren't used to taking these sorts of tests may struggle with the IELTS framework and material.

Along with the above, the IELTS marking criteria are different from what most people are used to. In IELTS, there are four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each criterion is worth 25% of the total marks available. This means that if a person fails to meet the requirements for just one criterion, their overall score will be affected.

3. Not practising enough.

Another reason why native English speakers may fail the IELTS is that they do not adequately prepare for the exam. The IELTS is a difficult exam that covers a wide range of subjects.

As such, it is important that individuals take the time to study and review all of the material before taking the exam. Unfortunately, many people who are fluent in English assume that they will be able to ace the exam without putting in any extra effort. This is often not the case and can lead to a disappointing score.

4. Not focussing on their weakness

Many people who are fluent in English make the mistake of assuming that their speaking and writing skills are good enough. However, IELTS is specifically designed to test your ability to use English in an academic context. This means that your spoken and written English will need to be of a high standard if you want to pass the exam.

5. Unable to answer IELTS questions

Many people who are native English speakers stumble with the IELTS because they don't know how to respond to the questions. The vast majority of IELTS questions are intended to assess your ability to comprehend and apply grammar. You will almost certainly fail the exam if you do not know how to respond to these sorts of questions.

The IELTS uses a variety of specialized terms and vocabulary words that may be unfamiliar to individuals who are not native English speakers. As a result, these individuals may have difficulty understanding the questions on the exam and providing correct answers.

6. Not getting guidance from a Qualified Tutor

One of the best things you can do to improve your chances of passing IELTS is to get guidance from a qualified tutor. A tutor can give you expert advice on how to improve your language skills and help you practice for the exam.

Unfortunately, many people who are fluent in English fail to realize the importance of getting help from a tutor and instead try to prepare for the exam on their own.

Be it IELTS Academic or General, guidance from a qualified teacher/tutor always matters, even if you are exceptionally fluent in English. So, try to explore and see if you can sign-up/register with one of these amazing guides, and work out your deficiencies.

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All that being said, it does NOT AT ALL means, that if your first language is English, and you are a fluent English speaker, then you can’t ace the IELTS. Assuming this is the worst you could do for yourself.

The purpose of the above article is to let you know the mistakes/assumptions people make when attempting the IELTS, knowing about their level of fluency in English. Now, that you have read about things that can go wrong, try preparing that they do not happen to you.

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Published on June 2, 2022