The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognized exam used to assess English language proficiency. While obtaining a Band 7.0+ might seem    challenging, with proper planning, understanding the exam structure, and focused preparation, it is certainly achievable. 

In this blog post, I will share briefly about my personal experience and the strategies I employed to attain an overall score of 7.5 on the academic IELTS test, with 8+ in Listening and Reading, and 7.0+ in Writing and Speaking. By following these tips, you can significantly enhance your chances of excelling in the IELTS test and achieving your desired score.

        Listening Section

• The listening section of the IELTS test demands sharp focus and quick thinking. There is a 30-second breaks between each part of the listening section. Utilize that time properly to preview the upcoming questions and circle keywords in both the questions and answer options. 
• To improve your listening skills, I highly recommend watching British TV series and movies, such as Sherlock, as they expose you to different British accents and speaking styles.
• Additionally, watch Liz IELTS’s 25 Listening Tips on YouTube, which offers valuable insights to achieve an 8/9 band score in this section. 
• Finally, if you encounter extreme difficulties with specific question types during your preparation, dedicate extra time to practice those question types and develop your own effective approach to tackle them

        Reading Section 

• Reading is a fundamental skill that plays a pivotal role in excelling standardised tests like GRE or IELTS. 
• To succeed in the reading section, focus on mastering three essential skills: Quick identification of the subject and verb of a sentence, skimming and scanning techniques, and paraphrasing sentences and paragraphs. 
• Enhance your reading abilities by exposing yourself to complex sentence structures and rich vocabulary. Regularly read articles from reputable sources like Aeon or Arts & Letters Daily to strengthen your reading comprehension skills. Additionally, numerous YouTube videos offer tricks and tips for each question type. Select what is most useful for you or develop your unique solving style. 

       Writing Section

Though improving writing skills in a short period can be challenging, it is possible with dedication and practice. Structure and logical coherence are crucial for a high score in the IELTS writing section. 

• The grading system for writing focuses on four aspects: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammar. Read carefully about the details of these criteria and prepare yourself according to that. 
• For Task 1, ensure a clear understanding of the main features of graphs, charts, or diagrams. Write an error-free introduction, followed by two body paragraphs. Conclude with an interesting feature or an extreme case from the given task. Aim for a word count between 190-200 words, as too many words can be detrimental, while fewer than 150 words may result in negative points.
• For Task 2, identify the essay type and establish a clear thesis statement. Express your opinion confidently and logically, following the 3-4-4-3 pattern for the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Maintain a word count of 290-310 words, with the introduction around 40-50 words, each body paragraph around 90-95 words, and the conclusion around 40-45 word.
• So many videos and free ebook out there to learn various strategies. Feel free to try and make it useful for your IELTS exam. 

      Speaking Section

• In Speaking section, fluency is key to success. Speak confidently and naturally during the test. Regularly practice on fundamental IELTS topics could be extremely useful. 
• Additionally, you can record your speech on your mobile device and listen to it to identify areas for improvement. You can also practice with a friend to simulate the speaking test environment.
• Recently, an AI-based tool called SmallTalk2.me has been highly effective, providing full IELTS speaking tests on various topics, analyzing your speaking, and offering band scores with areas for improvement. Even if you have friends, you can try this out. 

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My other blogs on IELTS – Best Books on IELTS : The Super Five