A well-structured study plan ensures you’re familiar with the exam format, question types, and time constraints. This familiarity breeds confidence and allows you to focus on demonstrating your true English proficiency. Furthermore, targeted practice strengthens your skills in all four assessed areas – reading, writing, listening, and speaking. IELTS preparation is paramount for success, emphasizes Sarah Jones, a veteran IELTS trainer with over 10 years of experience.

“Cramming for exams is like building a house of cards,” advises Dr. Lucy Thompson, a cognitive scientist specializing in learning strategies. “It may stand for a short time, but it’s not stable and will likely collapse under pressure.” This sentiment perfectly captures why spreading out your IELTS studying is crucial. By distributing your learning over time, you leverage spaced repetition techniques, which, as Dr. Thompson highlights, “promote long-term knowledge retention and retrieval” – essential for excelling on the IELTS. Spaced-out studying combats test anxiety by replacing last-minute pressure with a sense of accomplishment, leading to a calmer and more confident test taker. 

Now a question might arise – why can’t everyone get rid of this anxiety issue even though they have a great preparation? Is it a by-nature thing for them or anything else comes to play?

Answer to this question, my friend, relies on what type of persona you behold. Actually, this mental state of desperateness stems from a complex mix of psychology. Performance anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response, flooding your body with stress hormones that wreak havoc on focus. Negative self-talk spirals you into a cycle of doubt, hindering your abilities. Perfectionism makes every mistake feel catastrophic, while past test trauma or a sense of learned helplessness can leave you feeling powerless. Despite these challenges, remember – test anxiety is common. By understanding these psychological roadblocks and employing techniques like relaxation methods and positive affirmations, you can outsmart anxiety and achieve your best mindset for exams.

But the important thing is – Practice more. Practice tests will help you get used to the format of the exam and how long it takes to complete each section. Not related to this topic but I’d like to draw your attention to a very famous quote by Elon Musk – “You just have to put in 80 to 100-hour weeks every week. If someone does that, what takes an average man to achieve in a year will be achieved in just four months.” Musk is certainly a successful entrepreneur, and his intense work ethic has likely played a role in his achievements. You’ll find some people may thrive in a high-pressure, long-hour work environment, while others may find that they are more productive and successful when they work more moderate hours. 

Combat pre-exam arousal with deep breathing & mindfulness meditation. These techniques demonstrably lower heart rate and quiet anxious thoughts. Remember, prioritize sleep, a balanced breakfast, and comfortable clothing. Challenge negativity with affirmations and focus on each question – you can revisit unknowns later. 

Instead of dwelling on anxieties, visualize yourself acing the exam. Need a physical outlet? Take a brisk walk or stretch to release endorphins and sharpen your focus. Feeling burnt out on practice tests? Challenge yourself with a fun online English quiz for a mood shift. To combat stress, practice gratitude – write down a few things you’re thankful for, big or small. Finally, helping someone else is a great way to short-circuit anxiety. Offer to tutor English, volunteer at a library, or simply connect with someone who might be feeling the same pre-test jitters.