1. Learn the language to a certain level
2. Establish an awareness of the exam format and techniques needed for the different questions
3. Do lots of practice
After that, however, it is down to you and your confidence in yourself and the way you manage your nerves and emotions when you are doing the exam. So, the final and perhaps the most important factor is:
4. Believe in yourself.
You have to believe you can do it and walk into that exam with your head held high, calm and ready to do your very best to get that all-important band level that can set you on the next step of your journey. The IELTS for many people is an obstacle that needs to be jumped so go, study, prepare and believe that you can do it!
Vocabulary:
capable (adj) = able
establish (v) = build
format (n) = layout
obstacle (n) = a barrier