Overall IELTS 9: A student’s Tips
Learn how Gokul, an IELTS student, got overall band score 9 in IELTS this year. He shares his useful tips and experience with you in order to help and inspire you to achieve your best in your IELTS test.
IELTS Test Results: Band 9
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Overall Band Score 9
- Listening: 9
- Reading: 9
- Writing: 8
- Speaking 9
Gokul’s Tips for IELTS Overall Band Score 9
This was my first ever IELTS attempt. I never thought that I’d be required specifically to do IELTS, since my studies have only ever been in English. Even the university that I’d applied for my Masters seemed happy enough to accept me without an IELTS requirement. However, I was told by my destination country’s embassy that they can only issue a visa given that I show an IELTS grade of 7 overall or above.
I had barely 10 days to prepare and do the test, since the results would take roughly 2 weeks to be released.
I’m listing some of the things that I followed, and I hope that you find it useful in your own preparation.
IELTS Listening Band Score 9 Tips
I’d say that the listening test is all about practice. I did about 8 practice tests, and as I was doing them I was able to see that I was getting better at picking up the points needed for the answer the more I practiced.
In my own test, I had a woman who spoke in a Scottish accent, and I’d say that this is one of the accents that people outside of the UK seldom come across. This is why it’s imperative that you try out some practice tests by yourselves. This would enable you to get used to the formats as well as the intonation and accents used by the people that you hear in the recording. Liz has a number of excellent practice less0ns on the blog at the IELTS Listening page.
You might sometimes find that you’ve missed the answer to a given question. If this happens – don’t worry! Panicking will only reduce your concentration and might cause you to lose more answers.
I also also recommend writing the answers in capital letters so that the examiner would find it easier to read what you’ve written.
Finally, make good use of the extra 10 minutes that you’re allowed at the end of the test (update – 10 mins for the paper based test only – the computer test has only 2 mins checking time). This can be used for filling out any answers that you may have missed.
IELTS Reading Band Score 9 Tips
I found the reading exam the easiest of the lot. You can read the passages at your own pace as opposed to following a pre-set sequence of events as in the listening test. I finished the test in about 40 minutes and had time to go through my answers again to check them for errors.
While there are some that say reading the entire passage is not worth it, I would still suggest that you at least skim the passages to get the gist of the content before you start. I recommend this in particular to people whose reading speed is high. This way, when you encounter a question, you’d have an inkling of where in the passage you saw the answer point.
Another point that I can’t stress enough is that you should never overthink the question. This was my biggest problem in the reading practice tests. Over-analysing the statement will often lead to incorrect answers. For YES/NO/NOT GIVEN type questions, if the passage explicitly agrees with the statement, say YES, and if it explicitly contradicts the statement, say NO. In all other cases, say NOT GIVEN.
Again, Liz has a set of excellent tips as well as practice questions in the IELTS Reading page.
IELTS Writing Band Score 8 Tips
My writing test for Task 1 involved a bar chart which compared bottled water vs. soda consumption in some western countries, while for task 2 I had the following:
Most countries want to improve the standard of living through economic development, however others think social values are lost as a result. Do you think the advantages of economic development outweigh the disadvantages?
I followed Liz’s tips on writing task 1 / writing task 2 to the letter and found that having a strategy helped me immensely. If you’re just starting out answering the tasks without a plan, it would likely end up costing you more time. As Liz rightly states, time management is vitally important in the writing test. I’d also recommend that you go through the answers you’ve written as well, which will help spot any errors that you may have made. A quick once-over may help you save points that you’d have lost if you’d misspelled any word.
IELTS Speaking Band Score 9 Tips
My speaking test went very well, and I almost felt as if I’d had a pleasant chat with the examiner as opposed to being graded.
My speaking part 1 was mostly about work/life balance (probably because I’d said that I was working full-time).
Then, for part 2, I was asked to speak about an important historical event and how it had helped shape the present. I picked the Assassination of Julius Caesar and it went without a hitch.
Part 3 then followed up on history and why it’s important to learn it.
For part 2, I made some short notes on the notepad given to me, which helped me marshal my thoughts before the talk itself. You can also structure your own flow which would enable you to showcase your language skills without being held up by lack of content. This is important because pauses due to language limitations will negatively impact your score.
It’s also worth noting that what’s being tested is your language level and not the content you’re presenting. Hence, if you don’t have an answer, you can say no and take it as an opportunity to display your proficiency. For instance, I was asked whether I had any pets, and I said something along the lines of “No, I’ve never really had the chance, but my neighbour has a beautiful Labrador that I enjoy playing with..” and so on.
Be clear and confident, and you’d do fine.
Closing thoughts from Gokul
Lastly, though you’re probably here to prepare for your exams, I’d urge you to develop an interest in the English Language in general. Not only would you find that it provides you with new opportunities, it would also help you enjoy some of the finest literature ever produced.
Liz – I can’t thank you enough for your collection of resources and materials for prospective test-takers. They were invaluable to me, and doubtless to countless others as well. Keep up the good work.
Message from Liz: Thanks for sharing your tips and your experience, Gokul. You’ve done amazingly well and clearly understand IELTS. I hope this will inspire students to learn more about their test before taking it. You’re tips are great for each part of the IELTS test and I highly recommend people to learn from what you’ve shared.
Hi Elizabeth
Hope you are in your good health. I wanted to ask you a question regarding to IELTS speaking, Actually i am giving ielts exams infact any kind o exam after almost more than 10 years, I am not in touch with books. So if in ielts exam , examiner ask me questions regarding to books then what should i say ? Does the examiner wants the exact answer of his question or it is a speaking test we will evaluate on speaking, not a ocntent ?
If you don’t read books, you don’t read books. You aren’t being asked to lie. You are being asked a normal question which you can answer in a normal way. If you don’t read books, do you read anything else? For example, do you read articles online? If so, you can explain that and talk about articles you read online. Just be natural, open and chatty in your test. They are not testing your general knowledge and don’t expect you to lie. If you get the topic of books in part 1, the examiner won’t change the questions. You can still answer the question “what books did you read as a child” and “do you think reading books is important?”. For the question, “What kind of books do you read most?”, you can just be honest. In part 2, you have a chance to structure and create your own talk based on the main topic which is reading. But hopefully your English is still strong enough that even though you don’t read books, you still know some vocabulary: novels, fiction, non-fiction, storyline, fairy tales etc. Just because you don’t do something or don’t like something does mean you can’t talk about it or around it in some way.
Hi Liz
Thanks for your sharing best experience and suggestions. I’ll have a question for you after reading all of your recommendations. How many hours can be achieved IELTS 9.0 band score ?
I hope you’ll answer my question later.
A band 9 isn’t about a number of hours. You will need excellent English and an excellent understand of IELTS with the relevant exam skills. The first step is of course to ensure the right level of English. You will never get band 9 if your level of English is only around band 7 no matter how many hours you study IELTS exam skills.
Hey Liz! I found your website very useful for practice. I’ve scored a band score of 9 (9,9,8,9)! Thanks again, Cheers!
That’s fantastic!! Very well done indeed. And thanks for sharing your results – it’s a real inspiration for other 🙂
🙃Hi Liz…I thank you so much for giving such precious 🤩information and knowledge for IELTS…Recently I got my Ielts score which was rated 9.0😻 because of your works and the explanation of my teacher(he even calls you auntie as a joke🤭)…but all in all it was a great experience for me to turn into English world🤗 and it will stay with me for the rest of my life…❣
Brilliant! Very well done 🙂
The score is quite encouraging, and indeed has brought the good work Liz is doing to further limelight. Liz I am your fan. I equally want to get band 9 over all. I intend to take the test by December 2021.
Will keep my fingers crossed for you 🙂
I also want to get 9 band overall , please wish me luck .
Wishing you lots of luck!!
Thank you Liz! I scored 7.5 overall, 9 in my listening, 7 in reading and writing then 7.5 in speaking. God bless for the tutorials. 😎☺️
Great to see your results!! Very well done 🙂
Inspired by Gokul story and imbues confidence in me too that its doable. Thanks for sharing.
Hello, Liz! Was this article written by Gokul himself? If yes, then I am amazed by the command of English he has. How can I achieve the same? I think I am B2 and when I am looking at people like Gokul, with their English proficiency, it seems unattainable for me:( Is there a written manual how to get from B2 to C2? Achieving proficiency in English is my dream now.
I didn’t write it. It’s all from Gokul 🙂 One of the key ways to improve English is to immerse yourself in the language – think it, speak it, read it, write it, listen to it, sing it and … eventually dream in it 🙂
oh,yes I completely agree
Thanks for sharing, Gokul. Your story was the push I needed.
I’d started with the IELTS Prep app before I came across your story which led me to ieltsliz.com
Liz, you’re an excellent Teacher. Your calmness and gentle passion for what you do makes you very attractive. Glad I “met” you. I eventually prepared for IELTS using the lessons and exercises on your website and voilà! It’s a band score of 7! My very first and only attempt! Yayyy!
Thanks so much, Liz.
Loving you from Nigeria! 🇳🇬
God bless you!
Brilliant news! I love hearing success stories 🙂 Very well done 🙂 Stay safe!
Hi Lizz!
How can I get your all materials for a good practice?
How can I take part in your classes either?
Just go to the RED BAR at the top of the website and click on the part of the test you want to study.
Thank you liz for this amazing effort, by showing up positive cases and help us in making us understand that we can also do the same, if given a right platform to learn.
Good score.
Hoping to get 8 band score in my upcoming IELTS Exam.
Hi Liz,
I can’t thank you enough for your wonderful lessons. They thoroughly helped when i totally lost and was looking for materials online. I achieved a band score of overall 8. I can attribute this score entirely to your lessons and tips. Thanks for helping students across the globe with your detailed tutorials.
Well done 🙂 You’re welcome 🙂
It’s really wonderful score.
Wooow, amazing score. I was just thinking that since it is the top score, it is unreachable. Gokul just proved the contrary, woooow, so I can do it too, thanks a lot for sharing.
Liz, thanks for this website, I just discovered it, I will like to go in for a Band 9 score for my IELTS, I’m in Cameroon, soyou can imagine that my English language is far from the best. Please is there any advice on how to go about it, to accomplish such a feat? Thanks in advance.
You will 100% understanding of the IELTS test. This means you must know how the examiner marks your writing and speaking, how to showcase your language skills correctly, techniques, strategies etc. If there is anything you are unsure of, you will need to find out before your test. This page will help: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/. Band 8 and 9 are all about a good range of English but also lack of errors. So, think about that carefully.
Hi liz,
I am not able to find out the correct answer to this question, which was asked in bc speaking last week to one of my known.
What is pop music ?
Can you help me with the same, please ?
Look in a dictionary or google it.
I checked in dictionary and surfed through google too. I did not got a satisfactory answer. So, if you can help me with any means?
pop music = popular music, such as ABBA or Madonna or The Beetles.
Thanks alot liz .☺
Hi Mrs Liz,i just wish to ask how to write augmentative eassay.For example,when writing augmentative eassay!is it advisable to argue “for” and “against ” at paragraph 2 and 3. After the introduction.
Thanks
An argument essay is actually an opinion essay (agree/disagree). Your task is a to present your opinion in full and explain your opinion fully – nothing more.
Wondrous achievement Gokul…felicitation on your great and faboulas score…I want to take ielts test but now I have to practice please help me .. my email Mi721214@gmail.com
Hi Liz,
I completed my exams today. I found your website was very helpful as I was absolutely fine with the examination. To share with others,
In speaking exam, part 1 was with general questions about my hometown and dreams.
Part 2 was about a swimming pool which I liked the most.
I was asked questions related to leisure time and how youngsters finding to spend their leisure time in speaking – Part 3.
I did my listening test very well as it was not so complicated as I expected.
My worry is all about reading exam which was really wage. Identifying the paragraph came in both section 1 & 4. Found difficult in time management.
Task 1 – writing test: The question was to write a letter to restaurant manager who is working at a restaurant which is next to your home stating that you have a plan to do some repair work at home.
1. You should say about the problem
2. How the work would be a disturbance for restaurant
3. What suggestion you can give to the manager
Task 2 :
Some people say people having more money get more problems than people having enough money. Do you agree or disagree?
I really want to thank you so much for your advice and tips which definitely helped me to a great extent. Hope to get good band score.
Thanks a lot once again
Thanks for sharing 🙂 I’m really glad my tips and lessons were helpful to you. Fingers crossed you do well 🙂
Hi Liz,
It’s a proud moment for me to share my IELTS score.
My overall score is 8
I got 7.5 each in Listening and Reading.
I got 8 each in Speaking and Writing.
This score really took my heart somewhere. I really felt so proud and my heartfelt thanks to you and the way you guided me. Though I had very less time to prepare, I found your blog was completely helpful and you truly made my dream come true. Yes!! I got job offer in Canada and soon I would wobble across the globe.
I wish to follow your blog regularly to improve my standards.
Thanks a lot Liz!
Really great news!! You should be very proud of getting band 8 in writing and speaking 🙂 Well done 🙂 Good luck in Canada 🙂
Thanks a lot!!! 😃
Hello Gayathri , this was really helpful, however , i have an issue understanding the second Question , it seems a bit unclear to me.. Could you kindly be of help to explain better Please? … I might find myself with such a question and if i do, i might have absolutely No idea in answering it…
If it is possible via this platform, an email will be great as well .. My mail is osasnosaosamagie@gmail.com
Thanks for your understanding and your response.
That was an inspiring piece, Gokul. It has translated into a great confidence for me.
Thank you.
Hello Mam
I tried most of the time to contact with u for my ielts exam and I always followed ur instruction about ielts test and now I have score 6.5 which is really tough for me to attain but ur guidelines I got it.
Than a lot Mam
It is really an inspiring IELTS score.
Wonderful fabulous excellent remarkable brilliant performance Gokul!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the very informative tips.
All the best for your future endeavours
Indeed English loves you back when you start loving it.
Faithful enough to give you a band score of 9
Excellent work, thanks for sharing your insights about IELTS.
I studied in Kannada medium my dream is to get score of 7 each after gokul experience I’m inspired let me try
Wooowwww…..Congratulations Gokul…
God I just request for Band 8 of Gokul ‘s score in my sitting.
Amen
I got the same writing task 2 in Bangladesh April 16,2017
Yet another genus on the loose. Congratulations dear, you did it, I tap from your achievement. Very useful tips.
Gokul! Congratulations. You have an amazing result.
Well done! Congrats !
I’ve never seen such a amazing score before.
Amazing Gokul. Thanks for sharing your exploits to us all. I personally find them quite useful and I hope to get something close to that… My exam is next month (9th of September) and my weakest point making the practice tests with a former IELTS examiner is reading so far…
Fantastic,Gokul! I hope and pray that others and I will do the same on our exams. Congrats
Well done Gokul. Proud to be a Sri Lankan 👍.
I’m also planning to do lelts academic exam. Can you help me. My email address is rashanthi95@gmail.com
It’s only a dream for me. I’m struggling an overall 6.5 with no less than 6 of each.
Congratulation Gokkul !
I’d like to thank you for sharing your fabulous journey in IELTS .
I was shocked when you said that the Ielts reading exam is the easiest , it’s the hardest part for me because I’ve never managed to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes .
Liz, I really appreciate your amazing work and support .
Excellent…
That’s an impeccable result, am happy for you
Excellent… u inspired everyone tq
Ur imazing man!
What an inspiring message I really tap into luck and hope to achieve it. My exam is on the 30th Sept. Am still having hard time to pick how many questions I will answer in my writing and reading please liz help.
Hi Liz!
I got my ielts result today.
Scored :
L 7.5
R 8.5
S 7
W 6.5
Overall 7.5
But I needed 7 in each module.
Plz suggest me should i opt for revaluation? What’s the probability of getting a high band score?
It is possible to consider remarking if you wrote over the word count in both task 1 and task 2. Also if you wrote a clear overview for task 1 and a conclusion for task 2. I have know a student get an increase even when there were two bands different between writing and R or L. It’s not common but it is possible.
What if the bands reduce after revaluation?
That is something you must consider before going for remarking.
Very inspired by brother Gokul.Now i can feel the motive,im geared to aim for the moon on my 26th of August Academic exam.Thank you Liz.
Gokul. You be the Baddest. Wish you the best in your Master program.
Cheers…
Excellent man! Your comments really inspired me to believe I can make it.
Hats off to you. my exams is on 18th(S) and 19th(others). Hoping for the best
What a nice and touph band score he got!
Good luck
Great.. amazing score