IELTS Success Strategies: How to Achieve Your Target Band Score

• Band 9: Expert user
• Band 8: Very good user
• Band 7: Good user (often required for Canadian immigration)
• Band 6: Competent user
• Band 5: Modest user
• Bands 1-4: Limited to non-user

• Read questions carefully: Understand what information you need to find
• Predict answers: Think about possible responses based on question types
• Identify key words: Circle important words that will help you locate answers
• Check word limits: Note if answers require "NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS"

• Listen for synonyms: The audio often uses different words than the questions
• Follow the flow: Questions follow the order of information in the recording
• Don't panic: If you miss an answer, move on to the next question
• Use context clues: Surrounding information can help you understand unclear words

• Distractors: Wrong information given before or after the correct answer
• Corrections: Speaker changes their mind or corrects information
• Similar sounds: Numbers, letters, or words that sound alike
• Incomplete information: Partial answers that need additional details

• Passage 1: 15 minutes (easier, warm-up)
• Passage 2: 20 minutes (moderate difficulty)
• Passage 3: 20 minutes (most challenging)
• Transfer answers: 5 minutes

• Skimming: Quickly read for main ideas and overall structure
• Scanning: Search for specific information, numbers, or names
• Detailed reading: Carefully read relevant sections for specific questions
• Keywords identification: Find synonyms and paraphrases in the text

Multiple Choice:

• Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
• Look for paraphrases, not exact word matches

True/False/Not Given:

• True: Statement matches the passage exactly
• False: Statement contradicts the passage
• Not Given: Information is not mentioned in the passage

Matching Headings:

• Focus on topic sentences and concluding sentences
• Look for main ideas, not supporting details

Structure:

1. Introduction: Paraphrase the task (1-2 sentences)
2. Overview: Summarize main trends or features (2-3 sentences)
3. Body paragraphs: Detail specific data (2 paragraphs)

Key language for trends:

• Increase: rise, grow, climb, surge, soar
• Decrease: fall, drop, decline, plummet, decrease
• Stability: remain stable, stay constant, plateau
• Fluctuation: fluctuate, vary, oscillate

Essay Structure:

1. Introduction: Paraphrase topic + thesis statement (50 words)
2. Body Paragraph 1: First main point + examples (100 words)
3. Body Paragraph 2: Second main point + examples (100 words)
4. Conclusion: Summarize main points + final thought (50 words)

• Task Achievement/Response (25%): Answer all parts of the question
• Coherence and Cohesion (25%): Logical organization and linking
• Lexical Resource (25%): Vocabulary range and accuracy
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%): Grammar variety and correctness

Common topics: Home, family, work, studies, hobbies, food, travel

Strategy:

• Give full answers, not just yes/no responses
• Add extra information and examples
• Use a variety of tenses and vocabulary

Example:

Q: Do you like cooking?

A: Yes, I really enjoy cooking, especially on weekends. I find it relaxing after a busy week, and I love experimenting with different cuisines. Last month, I tried making Thai curry for the first time, and it turned out quite well.

Preparation strategy:

1. 1 minute preparation: Make quick notes covering all bullet points
2. Structure your talk: Introduction → Main points → Conclusion
3. Use the full time: Aim for 2 minutes of speaking

Useful phrases:

• "I'd like to talk about..."
• "What made it special was..."
• "The reason I chose this is..."
• "Looking back on it..."

Question types:

• Compare past and present
• Predict future changes
• Give opinions on social issues
• Analyze causes and effects

Advanced language features:

• Hypothetical situations: "If I were to...", "Suppose that..."
• Contrasting ideas: "On the other hand...", "However..."
• Giving examples: "For instance...", "Take... for example"

• Complete at least one full practice test under timed conditions
• Review your weak areas and practice specific question types
• Prepare your identification documents
• Confirm test location and transportation

• Light review only - avoid intensive studying
• Get a good night's sleep (7-8 hours)
• Prepare clothes and documents for the next day
• Eat a nutritious dinner

• Arrive 30 minutes early to avoid stress
• Eat a proper breakfast for sustained energy
• Bring water and small snack if allowed
• Stay calm and focused - you've prepared well

Weeks 1-2: Diagnostic and Foundation

• Take a practice test to identify strengths and weaknesses
• Focus on basic grammar and vocabulary building
• Familiarize yourself with test format

Weeks 3-4: Skill Development

• Practice each section separately
• Learn specific strategies for different question types
• Build academic vocabulary

Weeks 5-6: Integration and Practice

• Take full practice tests weekly
• Focus on time management
• Record speaking practice and self-evaluate

Weeks 7-8: Fine-tuning and Confidence Building

• Review and refine weak areas
• Practice under test conditions
• Focus on test day strategies

• Poor time management: Spending too much time on difficult questions
• Not following instructions: Exceeding word limits or missing requirements
• Blank answers: Always guess if you're unsure - there's no penalty
• Spelling mistakes: Check your spelling, especially for key vocabulary

Listening:

• Not checking word/number limits
• Writing more than what you hear
• Missing corrections or changes in information

Reading:

• Trying to read every word
• Looking for exact word matches instead of paraphrases
• Spending too much time on difficult passages

Writing:

• Not planning your essays
• Going off-topic or not answering all parts
• Using memorized templates without adaptation

Speaking:

• Giving very short answers
• Memorizing responses that sound unnatural
• Not asking for clarification when needed