Avoid Inappropriate Mannerisms

If a candidate has a bad habit of scratching their nose or twirling their hair then they might want to keep their hands in check. If they are pressured and they continue to manifest these mannerisms then they are simply going to make themselves look more nervous and more foolish in front of the examiner. If they want to look poised and proper when talking to them then they have to appear calm. Do not allow these mannerisms to take over their performance in the test.

Avoid Spacing Out

There is a tendency for candidates to completely say nothing when they are pressured and nervous during the exam. If they have the habit of spacing out then they should certainly find a way to stop it. It is not amusing and they can completely make a fool out of themselves inside the testing area. If you they are about to space out then it would be better if they excuse themselves instead. Do not allow pressure to get to them. If they can work well under pressure then they must be able to speak well under pressure as well. They have to be able to speak clearly despite being in the hot seat. They must be able to communicate despite being in the middle of a test.

Their ability to manage pressure will be the lifeblood of your ability to communicate well. The candidate’s communication skills are highly dependent on the way they manage pressure so make sure that they can manage it well.

Avoid Going around the Bush

Speak directly! Do not go around the bush. Examiners want to listen to your opinion and thinking. Remember that there is no right or wrong in an opinion. Express the thoughts straightforwardly and freely without any hesitations while taking the test. Examiners hate those who keep on talking but do not have any definite point. They would prefer clear and straight way of expressing your ideas. In the class I would ask students a simple question such as what is your favorite color? And most them would answer like this “There are many beautiful colors. All of them are very beautiful. I like all of them but my ……”. These kinds of answer have no main point and a certain idea. Instead the answer should be “My favorite color is blue as it represents the ocean which I really like.”

It is important to speak clearly, so that the message comes across in a way that every examiner can understand. Articulate talk is talk that gets remembered because they instantly understand what it is that you are saying. It means uttering your words distinctly, preferring simpler words over more complex ones, and speaking at a level guaranteed to be heard but without coming across as too loud, overly excited, or disengaged.

Avoid Mumbling

Sound out the words clearly and openly, with the intent to have them heard without error. If mumbling is a defensive habit that you have fallen into out of fear of communicating, practice your message at home in front of the mirror. Discuss what you want to communicate with those you feel comfortable around first, to better develop the message in your own mind. Both the practice and the development of your words for the messaging will build your confidence for the test.

Avoid Not Looking Straight to the Eye

Communicate eye to eye. Eye contact establishes rapport, helps to convince that you're trustworthy, and displays interest. During a conversation or in the IELTS test, it is important to look into the other examiner’s eyes if possible and maintain contact for a reasonable amount of time but don't overdo it; just as much as feels natural.