Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening
IELTS listening is a module in which you can easily score 9 bands as in this module there is nothing to create of your own you just have to listen the audio locate the answers and write it on the answer sheet. Students often score less and sometimes even less than the average in this module because they commit some mistakes while attempting this test. So today we will discuss some common mistakes to avoid in IELTS listening.
1. There is big difference between hearing and listening. Listening means that paying attention to what is being spoken in order to understand the meaning of the words. Unlike hearing where one has just take note of the spoken words. In fact those who don’t differentiate between their hearing and the listening skill they don’t able to concentrate on the multiple choice questions (MCQ) at the listening section. So make sure that you focus on the meanings also instead of just listening to the audios that are being spoken to you.
2. Some student’s don’t make predictions about the questions. As you probably are aware that in IELTS listening you have to answer questions as you are listening to the speaker’s talk. There is no time at the end to really think about the answers. You just answer the questions as the speaker is talking. So a key strategy for this to make predictions about what you expect the answer to be about the question.
3. Losing concentration is a common mistake that candidates often commit while listening to the audio. It might be possible that while looking for an answer to a particular question you are in a dilemma that means you are unable to find its answer. This could lead you to lose your focus from the audio that will cost you much more than the marks for that particular question.
So., if you feel yourself in such a state, stay calm and head towards the next question. Mock tests are the best solution for knowing your mistakes in the listening exam and improving them.
4. Most of the candidates don’t read the instructions of the test. They just start finding the answers. When the examiner starts conversation, you have little bit time to read the instructions before starting another section. You should utilize this time. You can read the instructions of questions. Sometime the instructions say no more than two words which mean that you cannot write more than two words as a answer and if you write three words in your answer your score will be deducted. This happens just because you don’t read the instructions before you start answering. So always read the instructions before the speaker’s start their conversation.
5. Don’t use the pen to transfer your answers. You must use pencil to transfer your answers or to underline the questions. If you transfer the wrong answer than it is easy to erase. Also Pencil makes your writing more clear.
6. Sometime you write the correct answer but you might make spelling mistakes especially in commonly used words like names of cities, countries, or addresses. So make sure to firstly listen to the audio properly and then respond accordingly. Also do practice of those spelling which are difficult to write before your exam.
The above said information is very easy to follow and will help you in improving your scores in IELTS listening but most of the students ignore them and as a result their result gets decrease.
Hope this article will help you in scoring well in IELTS listening
Thank you 
