IELTS-Blog

I am sure that after reading my previous post, you couldn’t wait for the next one. These tips were also shared by that great guy, former IELTS examiner, from my last post.

IELTS Speaking tips

If your goal is Band 6, you don’t have to speak complex English - just don’t make mistakes in simple English.

Don’t experiment with new words during your interview - it is not the time. Use only words and phrases you are sure about. For example, if you were reading a newspaper yesterday and saw a new word, but you’re not sure what it means or when people use it - forget about using it in IELTS.

No one will judge you on your ideas, only on your English. If there is a movie you can’t describe (your favorite) and there’s a movie can describe (that you have recently seen) - choose the second one. They are not interested in the truth, only in your English.

You have to think about what and HOW you are going to say.

Expose yourself to as much English as you can. Not just to learn new words and phrases, but to also practice until you master them.

If you make mistake - that’s bad, if you correct yourself - it’s not that bad. Examiner doesn’t count your mistakes, and it makes a good impression when you show that mistake you have made was not intentional.

If you say “economic” instead of “economy” and make more mistakes like that - its band 5. If you make a couple of such mistakes - it could be band 6. If examiner can’t understand you - it’s band 4.

Band 7 people should show they can use a little of special vocabulary. Explain ideas very well, very clearly, and use not just simple words, but more special words, like “economic environment”, “favorable conditions” etc.

I was fortunate to meet a very special person, former IELTS examiner. He sent me an email and it was filled with GREAT tips, real inside information and, of course, I wasn’t going to keep them to myself :).

IELTS Writing tips

It is better to write in regular, not very sophisticated English, than to use phrases or structures you don’t fully understand.
If you need Band 6 - no need for complex sentence structure. If your goal is Band 7 - then show advanced sentence structure, language and vocabulary.

Don’t write more than 260-265 words in IELTS Writing 2 task. Why? Not because you will get lower mark, but because of these 2 reasons:

1) It takes more time
2) More words = more mistakes

If you are told to cover specific points in your essay/letter - cover every point, examiners actually count them.

Don’t overuse connecting words (like However, Furthermore, Moreover, etc) - examiners are watching for you to do that.

IELTS Speaking - interview tips

Speak until they stop you, don’t just answer the question and stop. Display you best English. Behave as if it was a driving test - keep going straight until told to turn right, left or park.

It is quite possible that you have to speak about something you have never heard of, or have no opinion of. If you don’t know the subject - tell the examiner immediately, so he could ask you another question. If you don’t tell him and start trying to speak, he might think that it is not a knowledge problem, but a language problem.