How She Scored Band 9 in the IELTS Test: Tips and Resources

Earlier this year, on January 14, 2023, I took the academic IELTS test and achieved an overall band score of 9, which is the highest score possible. If you’re wondering how I did it, this blog post is for you.

About Me

Hello, my name is Emma. I’ve been teaching English and IELTS for over ten years. Recently, I decided to take the academic IELTS test myself, and here is my test report. As you can see, I scored an overall band 9. Let’s break down the scores for each skill:

• Listening: 9
• Reading: 9
• Writing: 8.5
• Speaking: 8.5
• Overall: 9

In this blog post, I will share everything you need to know to score an 8+ in the IELTS test. Stay tuned until the end!

Understanding IELTS

First, let’s start with the basics. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the most reliable and recognized English tests worldwide. There are two modules of the IELTS test: General and Academic.

• General Module: For those who want to immigrate or work in an English-speaking country.
• Academic Module: For academic purposes, such as studying at a foreign university.

The general module is easier, while the academic module is more challenging. The IELTS test assesses four skills: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, each scored from 1 to 9.

The Importance of Grammar and Vocabulary

While the IELTS test does not directly assess grammar and vocabulary, they are fundamental to your performance in all four skills. Without a strong foundation in grammar and vocabulary, it is impossible to score high in IELTS.

Three Steps to Achieve an 8+ in IELTS

1. Improve Your General English KnowledgeYour general English knowledge, including grammar and vocabulary, forms the foundation of your IELTS preparation. Without a solid grasp of these basics, achieving a high score is unlikely.
2. Get to Know the IELTS TestFamiliarize yourself with the test format, question types, timing, layout, and answer sheet. This is known as “test wiseness.” The more you understand the test’s structure, the better your chances of scoring high.
3. Learn Skill-Related TechniquesEach IELTS skill (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) has specific techniques that can help you answer questions more effectively and efficiently. These techniques include note-taking, identifying keywords, skimming, scanning, and managing time.

Recommended Books and Resources

For General English:

1. Grammar Files (Cambridge)
2. Vocabulary for IELTS (Cambridge)
3. English Collocation in Use Intermediate (Cambridge)
4. English Collocation in Use Advanced (Cambridge)
5. Ready for Advanced (General English Course Book)
6. Objective Proficiency (General English Course Book)

For Test Wiseness:

1. The Official Guide to IELTS (Cambridge)

For Listening and Speaking:

1. Tactics for Listening (Basic, Developing, Expanding) by Jack C. Richards
2. Improve Your Skills: Listening & Speaking for IELTS 4.5-6 and 6-7.5
3. Collins Listening for IELTS
4. Collins Speaking for IELTS

For Writing:

1. Improve Your Skills: Writing for IELTS 4.5-6 and 6-7.5
2. Collins Writing for IELTS
3. Barron’s Writing for the IELTS

For Reading:

1. Inside Reading Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4
2. Improve Your Skills: Reading for IELTS 4.5-6 and 6-7.5
3. Collins Reading for IELTS

To Test Your Knowledge:

1. Cambridge IELTS 14, 15, 16, 17 (and soon 18)

How Long Does It Take?

It took me ten years of teaching IELTS and English to read and master these 30 books. However, I have a more efficient courses for you. CHECK THE BRITISH COUNCIL COURSE BELOW

Exciting News: The IELTS Course

Conclusion

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Have a great day, and good luck with your IELTS preparation.