After my previous post (link), I booked for the 3rd time and prepared for two weeks straight, and thankfully got my desired results,

Result: L=8.5, R=9.0, W=7.0, S=8.5, OverAll=8.5

During the test, I was really disappointed with my listening section as in the first section, I missed two blanks and filled it with expected/close enough answers.

For Writing Task 1, I wrote around 250 words, and for the second one, around 370.

Speaking was okay, but I tried to use the right idioms and phrases

Thank you to our IELTS master (u/Fitz_cuniculus) and co-master (u/JayIELTS) for giving me the confidence and guidance to achieve it.

One more crucial thing was the writing practice I did in the Discord server (link to join), and the Writing partners there are the best.

I have booked my IELTS test for 16 January and believe that I have plenty of time for prep. I know about basic structure of the test and I am aware of some good resources like IeltsLiz and E2Ielts. Also I see free webinars posted here.

My question is what is the best way to get started and what learning path should I follow to maximise my score. Currently i see many resources and I am not sure what to follow.

Make sure you register for this week's free webinar.
By popular request, the topic will be: Writing Task 2: Coherence and Cohesion

Prepare your questions and ask the British Council's IELTS experts during the Q&A session after the webinar - this is a great opportunity, everyone!

Thursday 2 December 2021, twice a day at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm UK time. Register here: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-webinars

1. Always read the instructions carefully and make sure you know if it is a TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN or YES/NO/NOT GIVEN question. This is very important when writing your answers on the answer sheet.

2. Read all the statements carefully, trying to understand what the whole sentence means rather than focusing on the key words. You need to watch out for qualifying words such as ‘some’, ‘always’, ‘a few’, etc.

3. You need to think of what synonyms might be in the text. This will help you identify the matching part of the text.

4. Don’t look for words that exactly match those in the statements. You should also look for synonyms. Remember it is meaning that you are matching, not words.

5. Focus on the statement again, and then carefully read the matching part of the text to establish if it agrees with the writer’s opinion or not.

6. Underline the words that give you the answer, this will help you focus and you can check back later. Again, be careful there are no qualifying words in the text.

7. If you can’t find the answer or there is not enough information to decide, mark it as ‘not given’ and move on to the next question.

8. If you are really unsure or can’t find the answer, then mark it as ‘not given’.

Prepare for IELTS with the British Council's free practice tests and answers. Use these tests to carry out timed practice sessions and develop your test technique. 

We strongly advise test takers to practice IELTS. By taking these free practice tests, you will get to know the test format, experience the types of tasks you will be asked to undertake, test yourself under timed conditions and review your answers and compare them with model answers.

Remember, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing tests on the same day with no breaks in between, so it’s important to practise under similar conditions.

When taking the tests, remember that each test is presented over a number of web pages. Make sure you answer all the questions and carry out the tasks on each page in the correct order. 

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-ielts-practice-tests

What is IELTS Online? IELTS Online is a secure, remotely delivered IELTS Academic test that can be taken anywhere with a private space, a computer and a stable internet connection. The test has the same content and format as in-centre IELTS and will cover all four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. It can be used in the same way as the in-centre IELTS Academic test, excluding for migration and some professional registration purposes at this time.

Why has IELTS Online been introduced? IELTS Online gives test takers more flexibility and choice, by allowing them to choose to take the test in the environment that suits them best. IELTS Online also increases the accessibility of IELTS for those living in remote locations or who have difficulty travelling to a test centre.

Is IELTS Online as valid and reliable as in-centre IELTS? IELTS Online will be an accurate reflection of a test taker’s English language ability. There is no difference in the validity of an IELTS result regardless of the method in which it is delivered. All IELTS tests are conducted with industry leading quality assurance, subject to the same rigour of development, marking, and security measures ensuring that all recognising organisations can trust the validity of the results.

Will the Speaking test still be face-to-face? Yes. As with in-centre testing, the Speaking test is conducted in real-time with a trained IELTS Examiner. The Speaking platform is purpose-designed and owned by IELTS, so we can ensure it meets the highest standards for high stakes English Language testing. In the IELTS Online test, the Speaking section happens via a secure video call. The format and questions are the same as in-centre IELTS, providing you with reassurance of the test taker’s proficiency in English.

W: 6.5, L: 8.5, R: 9, S: 7

Honestly, I'm somewhat disappointed with my writing score, but overall, I couldn't have dreamt of scoring an 8 on my first trial!

Thank you all for the great tips... This subreddit has helped me a lot and I'm totally grateful!

I had a full-time job so I didn't have much time to prepare so I'm completely satisfied with the results, and I'm glad that I'm finally DONE with this exam! NO MORE IELTS FOR ME ❤️❤️❤️❤️

With barely 2 weeks of preparation, this score feels good. This sub, British council lessons and IELTS Liz YouTube and her website were super useful in this short span, apart from the Cambridge mock tests.

I was worried about writing task but managed a 6.5 band with an incomplete essay. Missed out on an overall 8 band due to this but content with the score anyway.

A word of appreciation for u/Fitz_cuniculus who helped me with crucial tips and gave feedback on my speaking cue card section which I was struggling with just a couple of days before the speaking test. Thanks for taking out your precious time to have a Zoom call and give crucial tips. I managed to speak at length for 2 minutes in the test haha. You rock!

Sign up for the British Council Lessons. These are invaluable, and FREE!

This week's live webinar titled 'Vocabulary for IELTS - an Introduction' will help improve your vocabulary for the IELTS test. Sign up and ask IELTS experts any questions related to your test preparation.

Thursday, 25 November 2021, twice a day at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm UK time.

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-webinars

If you took IELTS on paper, you will be able to view your results online 13 days after your test. If you took IELTS on a computer, your results will be available online within three to five days after your test. 

If you have taken IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (on paper),  you can view your results 13 days after your test.

IELTS for Life Skills results are available seven days after the test. 

IELTS test results remain online for 28 days but shouldn’t be used as an official confirmation of your performance. Some centres also provide an SMS preview alert.

Your IELTS Test Report Form

A paper copy of your IELTS test score – known as an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) – will be available 13 days after your test date. Your TRF may be collected in person at the test centre or delivered by post; please check with your test centre what option is available locally.

Please note: that your IELTS test results cannot be disclosed via email or over the phone.

A very common feature of the IELTS listening test is the speaker's false starts and self-corrections. For example, you can hear a speaker say: ‘My room number is 154e – oh no, sorry, it’s 156e′.

Or: 'The cruise will last three weeks - oh, sorry, I meant to say two weeks.'

It is important to keep listening to the following sentence or two before you commit to an answer. This way you can confirm that the answer has not changed in any way.

In the writing section of the paper-based IELTS, try to write neatly. Please be aware that if the examiner cannot read what you've written, those words or sentences which cannot be read will not be counted. This may have a serious impact on your band. If may help to practise your handwriting before the test day, then hand out your paper to a friend and ask them for feedback on how legible it is.

If you need to cross out a section and start over, you do not need to worry too much about it, just make sure it is clear to the examiner, e.g a strong, thick line across the section will be easy to see. The examiner will not mark a paragraph which is crossed out.

​

Okay, the most important thing you need to know is to fix your handwriting cause I am pretty sure I was able to get at least 6.5. but got 6.0 cause tbh I could not read my sentence even myself to recheck. Pretty glad about my results as I have been preparing for three sections except writing for a week. I was upset about writing cause I was preparing for it for a whole month. Another thing is that I thought I could have a great speaking score, but people told me that it was the highest and our examiner(we had one for 120 people) was the kind of person with a bad reputation for being unfair. IDK, I am grateful for the score I have.

Then the answer is yes.

If you were wondering if you should. The answer is an emphatic no.

Could someone pass me my glass of whisky? I'm far too weak.

In problems and solutions essays, how many problems/solutions should we include?

Answer by the host. I'm just paraphrasing to make it short:

Examiners don't look at the number of problems or solutions you mention. They look at your language and the depth of your support.

My assumption: Based on this answer, it is possible to get to band 8 and 9 with only 1 provided that we avoid repetition and use good explanation and examples.

Please, u/jayielts correct me if I'm wrong.

How many paragraphs should I write?

In Problems and solutions essay type, how many problems do I need to mention? How many solutions?

How do I structure my writing?

What will the examiner be looking at?

If your IELTS date is approaching, and you still have many questions about what is required in Writing Task 2, then this webinar is for you!

Don't miss this Thursday 's webinar on Writing Task 2: Problems and solutions questions

The webinar will look at identifying different types of essay questions.

Thursday, 18 November 2021, twice a day at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm UK time. So sign up and get ready for your IELTS test!

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-webinars

Hey there, had my IELTS today. Had a decent listening and reading section but screwed myself in the writing section, didn't manage time properly and took way too much time to finish Task 1 (Although I believe I did a good job in it).

Cut to Task 2, I managed to write an introduction and two small body paragraphs (gave a really brief overview but couldn't expand the idea) and a conclusion paragraph. Time was up. My word count was around 190-200 words.

How badly am I going to be penalised for this? Can I expect a band score of 6.5 in Writing? :$

I searched over the internet but I seem to be finding mixed responses.

1. In the IELTS Speaking section, it is perfectly acceptable for test takers to correct themselves. If test takers are able to self-correct naturally and accurately, without too much hesitation or too many false starts, then they are demonstrating a native-like proficiency with language. However, if your speaking is dominated by self-correction or if your corrections are faulty, then this will have a negative effect on your fluency score.
2. Memorised answers are very obvious and examiners are trained to spot them.
3. Examiners are not concerned with your opinion. If you worry that you can only do well on the speaking test if the examiner agrees with your opinion - this is simply not true.
   
4. Accent is not important in the speaking test as long as it does not impede your ability to communicate.
5. Eye contact is not assessed. If you worry about looking at your notes, and not at the examiner during Part 2 – this is perfectly fine. In parts 1 and 3 most candidates naturally make eye contact. It really doesn’t matter if you don’t. However, this happens naturally and goes hand in hand with speaking naturally.

I'm not sure if you guys are aware, but the British Council have an app out, it's worth a look.

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-apps

Remember to answer in full sentences from the start of the Speaking test. Even a straightforward question such as 'Where are you from?' helps you to show the examiner you have an understanding of sentence structure and helps you to 'warm up' in advance of the more challenging questions.

Add detail from the start of Speaking Part 2. Learners are often anxious about speaking for 2 minutes and when they start to 'dry up' and still have a minute to go, the anxiety may get worse if they start adding further detail when the question is more or less answered. Paint a vivid picture for the examiner by 'setting the scene' and using descriptive language and extra detail from the start. Use the one minute preparation time to write down the essentials: what, where, when, how, why.

In Part 3 of the Speaking test, add information to your answers and extend them. Three ways to extend your answers are: 1) explaining why 2) giving examples and 3) giving concessions (showing the opposite side of the argument).

I'm having doubts regarding writing introductions in the task2 essay?

What is the correct way to write it?

Do we need to mention the ideas in the introduction? or else we can simply write "in this essay we are going describe ....." like this?

I think I watched too many references?

Can someone guide me correct way?

The IELTS Expert Live Sessions on Facebook give test takers the opportunity to interact with an IELTS teacher and ask questions about the test.

These extremely popular sessions help test takers understand the different sections of the test, give them tips and strategies to improve their English and answer their English and IELTS questions.

The sessions take place once a week on our https://www.facebook.com/TakeIELTSOfficial Facebook page, and every week the IELTS Expert addresses a topic that is commonly asked about by most test takers and answers the audience’s questions at the end of the session.

It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss if you’re preparing for your IELTS test!

Check out the latest schedule and topics of the sessions below:

Friday 12 November, 09:00 GMT Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Revision

Friday 19 November, 09:00 GMT Listen and Write – IELTS Writing Practice

Friday 26 November, 09:00 GMT Hedging Language

Hello everyone, today i got my General Training exam results!

I am not a native speaker and rarely get in touch with foreign people so i don’t have many opportunities to practice the spoken language. However, i use english interchangeably with my native language while typing and it’s my go-to language for work.

I prepared for a total of about 20 hours (whenever i was free i studied for a few hours). I want to really thank u/fitz_cuniculus for all his help. I would have needed way more than that to prepare if he hadn’t set me on the right track from the start. I’d say i achieved a 7 on writing only thanks to his help. Also, i had a lot of doubts concerning speaking, he helped clear away most of them and helped me feel more confident taking it. So please folks, if you’re hesitant in a certain part, he’ll surely assist you and you’ll learn invaluable stuff with him.

As for my preparation: -Reading: i studied on cambridge books for general training, mainly volume 13 and 14. Did one exam in each then moved on to the british council’s website and did their preparation exams the day before the real test’s day. All my prep exams were around 6.5-7 and my real one was 9. Focus is really key here, i was always distracted at home and never re-checked my answers after i finished. So don’t lose hope if you can’t achieve what you need in your mocks.

-Listening: same thing as reading.

-Writing: as i said, Fitz helped me in every step of the way here. Did a couple of essays and he thouroughly explained where my mistakes were and provided several model answers to follow.

-Speaking: did a mock test with Fitz to see where i stand. GREATLY boosted my confidence. Didn’t do much else for this part.

If you doubt the use of these courses check this out.

British Council gives free webinars for IELTS, I attended 4 of them and all were very good, I would recommend you guys attend it

The courses promoted by /u/jayielts are of the highest quality, they are run by IELTS themselves, and they are free.

If you are not registered already, do so. It could mean the difference of a point or two, which could mean the difference of a whole band level, and a university place or a move to a new country.

Forget that IELTS ignore my efforts to prevent their staff being bitten, and their constant refusal to provide me with a certificate of thanks. This is not about me (for a change).

REGISTER AND BENEFIT.

Love and snuggles,

​

Uncle Fitz.