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IELTS Test Results competition

What helped Felix and Sandra achieve success in IELTS

The 1st place winners of our IELTS Results competition, Felix and Sandra, who scored band 8.5 and 8 in the IELTS exam asked to share their tips for success with everyone. Enjoy!

Felix said:

Band 8 in IELTS“I guess it helped that I had some colleagues in the language school I used to work in help me before I took the test. I will say that there’s no shortcut to achieving a good band score in IELTS. It takes hard work and perseverance. Kind of ‘old school’ – but that’s that. Grab reputable Cambridge materials and STUDY!

I spent 2-3 hours a day for a month preparing for the test (except Saturdays and sometimes Sundays when my Aussie friends would pull me out for a few beers!) The IELTS exam requires strategy and a good tutor can help you through your preparation stage. Most important: relax! Being nervous has never helped anyone in anything and that’s what I tell all my students.”

Sandra said:

“Well, first off I’ve been studying English for a while now and what helped me most was reading I guess.

I read a lot of English novels, and when I see a word I don’t understand I stop and check in a dictionary and then check its usage in the book. I also try to put these new words into my everyday speech so I won’t forget them, slowly building up my vocabulary. I also read a lot of grammar books written for younger kids, there’s one in particular that really helped me , ‘Brighter Grammar’.

I also watch American movies, it might be hard to follow at first for a new English speaker but after a few months or weeks depending on the person, it usually gets easier. Also if someone is Indian for instance, and there are Indian movies with subtitles in English, that would also help.

Speak, speak, speak. If you don’t practice a language you’ll lose it. Try as much as possible to speak English for at least 2 hours a day if you can’t speak it all day.

I guess that’s it. Nothing truer than the saying “Practice makes perfect” when it comes to learning the English language.”

IELTS Results competition winners in April 2013

Today we’re happy to report that in April 12 people have won in the IELTS results competition. Here are the lucky owners of the great scores:

Academic Module – 1st placeBand 9 in IELTS

  • Felix Derilo from the Philippines, Band 8.5

Academic Module – 2nd place

  • Georgy Varghese from India, Band 8
  • Misbahu Haruna Ahmed from Nigeria, Band 8
  • Antonia Georgieva from Bulgaria, Band 8
  • Sarat Viswanadh from India, Band 8

Academic Module – 3rd place

  • Prasanna Krovidi from India, Band 7.5

General Training Module – 1st place

  • Shrividhya Uppuluri Aiyer from India, Band 8
  • Priyanka Chamoli from India, Band 8
  • Chanaka Muiyanselage from Sri Lanka, Band 8
  • Andrii Kyrychenko from Ukrain, Band 8
  • Sandra Chiaka Amasike from Nigeria, Band 8
  • Sruthi Viswanath from India, Band 8

It’s a pleasure to see so many people achieve great results in their IELTS exams, congratulations to all the winners! On this special occasion we are sending your certificates of achievement to your emails, and your IELTS results will be displayed in the IELTS-Blog hall of fame.

One question we get asked all the time is, “How did they do it?” To tell you the truth all we know is that Shrividhya Uppuluri Aiyer (1st place winner in GT category) has been using the book “Ace the IELTS” in her exam preparation – but we’d love to hear from the other high achievers.

Dear winners, please share your stories. Tell us how you prepared and studied, and what helped you achieve success in IELTS. Anything you can share will be posted on IELTS-Blog without delay, so everyone can learn from you and get a better score in their own exam this month.

P.S. IELTS results competition runs every month, and everyone is welcome to participate. Learn how to enroll here.