IELTS-Blog

Every now and then I receive emails from people who generously share their IELTS preparation advice. Today I would like to offer you the opportunity to learn from Ayan’s experience – here is his IELTS preparation story that lead to Band 7 in the real exam.

“It was the beginning of the February when I took IELTS exam and now, when I know my results, I want to share the way I practiced and the tips I suppose would be very fruitful for you.

The first and, in my opinion, the most significant thing everyone has to bear in mind is that this website ielts-blog.com has heaps of truly useful knowledge and experiences shared by IELTS-takers. Thereby, you have to utilize this site wisely. Surely, I appreciate this website and I am very pleased now to thank the staff working there and you, Simone.

The second important trait of the preparation is having a plan, a very explicit one that you follow. I must tell you that whether you prepare with a particular tutor or prepare by yourself, you are to be very wise when trying to plan the curriculum. This is my utmost will to compel students to have a perfectly elaborated way they will go.

Thirdly all of you must obtain the book, which is, by the way, very popular IELTS Target Band 7. Many of you may mistakenly think this book can only help you gain Band 7 or less, however, I must gladden you – this is a very popular delusion. This book can assist you to achieve more than even Band 8, I mean, you can get the perfect result – Band 9.

Fourthly, you are to know that the more you practice by yourself, the better your score is. I know that self-practice can allow you to have more than with the help of the tutor you have. Thus, do not even pretend you cannot, you surely can if you want to!

The fifth, very crucial, thing you also have to be cognizant of – have an aim! Target yourself to have a preferable score! Be as much stubborn and placid as it is possible, as it’ll lead you to your goal.

Tips for practicing

Writing – you have to understand the structure firstly, and then you have only to have a great amount of practicing. This is not the most difficult part of the IELTS, just pace and time yourself ever when preparing. Make sure you’ve read and written at least 20 prefect essays. IELTS-blog.com will be very helpful when searching for essays. I’ve got 7.0 here.

Reading was the most complex skill for me. I’ve, unfortunately, got only 6.5 here. But do not think this is hard and the way you will be practicing in has to be very convoluted, you only should know that the book ‘IELTS Target band 7′ will be very important here and you have to practice the techniques given there.

Speaking – be careful! I have been practicing only for one day on speaking, as I thought it was the easiest part, yet my score here is 7.0 and I could get more. I want all of you to have a lot of practicing.

Listening – my score is 7.5 in the listening section. I’ve only done 2 practice tests. You firstly need to take the practice tests, secondly – check you results and, ultimately, listen to a tape again and simultaneously read the transcripts given on the last pages of all the IELTS practice tests.

My overall band is Band 7. In the long run, you have everything to attain any result you want. Now, do it and do not be scared of trying to shoot for the moon! It’ll be OK if you want to have 9.0 you will take it! Be persistent, optimistic and smart when preparing!”

Is IELTS band score of 8 or even 8.5 too difficult to achieve? The answer is … NO. It is definitely possible, and today I am happy to show you not one or two, but 11 (eleven!) people who did it just last month.

Meet our “IELTS result of the month” competition winners of February 2012:

Academic Module – 1st place

• Shraddha Suresh from India, Band 8.5 (with 9 in Listening and Reading)
• Shailesh Busgeeth from Mauritius, Band 8.5
• Chee Jan Win from Malaysia, Band 8.5 (with 9 in Writing)

Academic Module – 2nd place

• Rekha Rajasekhara from India, Band 8
• M. Kalashyani Muthusamy from Malaysia, Band 8
• Patricia Galvez from Spain, Band 8
• Sweety Mary John from India, Band 8
• Nneka Anaegbu from Nigeria, Band 8

Academic Module – 3rd place

• Nagre Abhishek from India, Band 7.5
• Talha Tayyab from Pakistan, Band 7.5
• Mohammad Erfani from Iran, Band 7.5

General Training Module – 1st place

• Navpreet Sidhu from India, Band 8.5

General Training Module – 2nd place

• Chia-Hang Chen from Taiwan, Band 8
• Ankush Abat from India, Band 8

General Training Module – 3rd place

• Venkat Marakala from India, Band 7.5
• Delphin Gilbert from India, Band 7.5

Congratulations to the IELTS champions! We are sending your special winners’ certificates to your emails, and your IELTS results will be displayed in the IELTS-Blog hall of fame.

And since everyone would like to know HOW the winners achieved their scores, I invite them to share any good tips and methods that helped them get such great results in IELTS.

As soon as we hear from the winners – expect to see another post on the blog, or if you’re subscribed to daily updates – in your mailbox, telling you exactly how people manage to get a high score in IELTS.

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