http://www.ieltstips.com/ielts/ielts_listening_test/listening_test_tips.html

There is no substitute for hard work and lots of study as far as the IELTS Test is concerned, so don’t think there are any shortcuts – there aren’t! Regular listening to IELTS-type test materials is absolutely essential. In the test, there are a number of strategies you can use to help to maximize your efficiency during the test. Here are a number of tips on how to approach the IELTS Listening Test.

1. If you can predict the sort of things you are going to listen for during the listening test, you can reduce the amount you need to listen to. At the beginning the IELTS Test there is a 2.5 minute introduction. Use this time to read through the IELTS listening test booklet and try to get a general understanding of what the sections are going to be about – even this simple type of prediction will help you.

2. As you scan through the booklet, look for maps, charts or illustrations – these often give you a good idea of what the topic of a section is going to be about.

3. After each section you are given one minute to check your answers. But how can you check your answers if you can’t listen to the tape again? Use this time to scan and get an idea of what the next set of questions are going to be about.

4. Occasionally, you can get an idea about answers to earlier questions by reading later questions.

For example:

Question 1: “Where are they going?”

Question 10: “What time are they coming home from the cinema?”

Obviously, there’s a good chance that the answer to Question 1 is ‘Cinema’. However, you still need to listen to check. Often though, listening to check your predictions is easier than trying to listen for the answer on the tape.

6. Sometimes you are asked to complete a table or a chart using information on the tape. It’s natural to think that answers will be