I did IELTS….
We face various exams from birth to death. Life itself is an exam which demands a greater knowledge and a competence to make it through. However, when it comes to exams which test our knowledge and skills, we must have to obtain a definite pass mark to legitimately pass the exam. As candidates, we try out a number of techniques, methods and gimmicks to pass exams, but still the win can’t be guaranteed. I personally believe that no candidate fails an exam, but his/her methods and the techniques do. We are so obsessed with exams and results, but we rarely think about the lessons we can learn by just taking up an exam.
I’m stoked with a bit of excitement to tell that exam itself a lesson. On the 27th of March, I took the IELTS test which is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests. It took me some good months to prepare and of course I scored the score band I needed (Anyway I’m not conceited to fill this write up with vanity). I should say that the IELTS is not easy. A crackpot can’t crack it unless he is prepared enough.
After receiving my exam results I was on cloud nine. But importantly, I realized that the 4 components of the IELTS which are reading, writing, listening and speaking, teach us some rare air lessons.
I had to face the speaking test first, speaking face to face with an Examiner. I was timid initially, but gradually mustered courage to face the speaking test well. The Examine was friendly and it was soothing. It was nothing other than talking with a stranger casually. Nothing was there to be afraid, but the nervousness was always twinning my tongue. Nevertheless, I used my smile to trick my monkey mind to be calm and comfort my own self.
We feel comfortable when we smile. Then the comfort makes us confident and the confident gives us the energy to confront what is scaring us. So the smile was a life saver. Not only that, I wore the best outfit along with the best perfume I had which combinedly supported my confidence to skyrocket. So the learning was
“Confidence is the key to deal with strangers and bizarre situations. So know how to spark your confidence”
After 3 days from the speaking test, I had to face the rest of the testing components. Listening test, reading test and writing test were lined up.
We all hear, but sometimes only we listen. Listening entails focus. We shall not surrender to the disturbing noises if we need to listen clearly. Therefore, listening is a tough activity to do even in our lives.
Jumping back to the IELTS listening, we have to listen to a recorded audio and answer the questions which are given in writing. This task is the most dangerous IELTS test because the audio is played only once. Simply, it’s a do or die scenario.
This test is tough. Because it demands our own effort to omit the voice of our mind and focus purely on something. Defeating the war inside of the mind is frankly a victory itself. That’s why not everyone scores well for the listening component. (Kudos to you if you have obtained a good score for the listening test).
So the key takeaway is “Focus on what matters truly because you won’t get a second chance. This moment is precious”.
At 3rd of the IELTS, I had the test which I hated the most; the reading task. I had to read 3 lengthy passages and answer from the passages. It would have been bread and butter if the clock was not ticking. I always ran out of time, even when I was practicing at home. But I had improved since day 1 with consistent practice. Knowing English doesn’t help anyone with the reading task. It yields practice since the task is made to be a lofty hurdle. What hurdlers do? They practice with harder and taller hurdles. That recalled me
“Sweat more in practice will help you bleed less in war” quote.
It’s a quaint homily by the way, but worthy to recall.
The last IELTS task, my favorite, the writing task. You know I love writing. Because it gives us the chance to read again and correct as long as time permits. However, the writing task is challenging because it makes us a creator and we all aren’t good at that. But,
“What if you write a perfect answer to the wrong question???
— Dulana —
