A band 8 in the IELTS score is considered a very good score. Therefore, to achieve a band 8 in each section of the IELTS test, you need to focus on improving your language skills and adopting effective test-taking strategies. For instance, in the Listening section, daily practice and a strong grasp of the general meaning and key details are essential. Additionally, practicing paraphrasing techniques will help you answer questions accurately. For the Reading section, extensive reading and identifying areas of difficulty, such as “Yes/No/Not Given questions”, are crucial. Enhancing your vocabulary will also contribute to an improved overall band score. By following these tips and dedicating time to practice, you can increase your chances of achieving a band 8 in each section of the IELTS exam.
Format of the IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking test
Here are the formats, duration, and descriptions of the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the IELTS test:
Sections | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
Listening | 30 minutes | You will listen to four recorded texts: conversations, monologues, and educational discussions. Questions will test your ability to understand the main ideas, detailed information, opinions, attitudes, and the purpose of what is said. |
Reading | 60 minutes | IELTS Academic: Three long texts ranging from descriptive to analytical, taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. IELTS General Training: Extracts from various sources like books, notices, advertisements, etc. |
Writing | 60 minutes | IELTS Academic: Two tasks - describing data/diagrams and writing an essay in a formal style on a given topic. IELTS General Training: Task 1 - writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Task 2 - writing an essay. |
Speaking | 11-14 minutes | General questions about yourself and familiar topics. Speaking about a given topic for up to two minutes. Discussion of abstract issues and ideas related to the topic in Part 2. (Please note that the Speaking component is the same for both the Academic and General Training IELTS). |
Read more: How IELTS band scores are calculated?
How to score band 8 on the IELTS Listening test?
In the IELTS Listening test, you will have to answer 40 questions based on audio clips played for you. Here are some tips to improve your performance:
Work on your vocabulary: Reading newspapers and magazines can help you learn new words. Write down unfamiliar terms to remember them during the exam.
Improve your listening skills: Focus on understanding the main ideas and important details during the test. Take notes while listening and use them to create a summary when needed. Listen to podcasts regularly to practice understanding spoken words better.
Pay attention to signal words: Look out for keywords and phrases that indicate important information, like introductions, key stages, thoughts, and conclusions in the audio clips. Recognizing these parts will be beneficial during the exam.
How to score band 8 on the IELTS Reading test?
In the IELTS Reading test, you will have 40 questions. These questions can be matching, multiple-choice, True/False/Not Given, or sentence completion. To do well in this section, here are some tips:
Read quickly: Time management is crucial, so practice reading fast to complete tasks on time. Being able to read quickly will help you find the answers.
Look for keywords: Each question has important words that can guide you to the answers. Remember where these keywords are in the passage to give accurate responses. Also, watch out for similar words used in the passage.
Skim and scan the passage: Skimming means quickly reading the whole passage in 3 to 4 minutes. Mark relevant parts and keywords while doing so. Scanning is quickly finding specific information without understanding the whole passage.
Pay attention to grammar: Good grammar can help you find the correct answers faster. Many test-takers know the right place to look but struggle to pinpoint the answer due to not considering grammar.
How to score band 8 on the IELTS Writing test?
In the IELTS Writing test, it is important to ensure fluency and accuracy. The Examiner looks for coherence, vocabulary, and grammar in your responses. Here are the tips for a better score:
Use connectors creatively: Try using less common connectors to make your answers stand out and impress the examiner. This can help you achieve a high IELTS score.
Stick to the word count: Writing concisely can be challenging, but it's crucial for international students. Don't go over the word limit, as it may affect your time management.
Improve your vocabulary: To score well, work on expanding your vocabulary. Using new words can demonstrate your English skills, but make sure they fit the context correctly.
Be original in your answers: Avoid copying from the question and try not to force words into sentences where they don't belong. Stay true to the meaning and context of the question.
How to score band 8 on the IELTS Speaking test?
The IELTS Speaking test is designed to see how well you use English in everyday conversations. You will talk with an examiner in a quiet room, and they will evaluate your 'lexical resource,' 'pronunciation,' 'fluency and coherence,' and 'accuracy.' Here are the tips to do well:
Don't worry about your accent: The examiner knows you are not a native English speaker, so focus on clear pronunciation rather than your accent. Your accent won't affect your overall score.
Avoid using fillers: Speaking confidently and without hesitation can boost your IELTS score. Try not to use fillers like "um" or "uh" when you don't know what to say. Instead, use idioms and phrases to strengthen your answer.
Use different speaking styles: Add variety to your speech by emphasising keywords and modulating your voice. This will help the examiner stay engaged and you can make a positive impression on them.
Achieving a band 8 in each section of the IELTS test requires dedicated effort, consistent practice, and effective strategies. Additionally, focusing on grammar skills and adopting effective strategies will benefit you in the IELTS test. With the right approach, you can increase your chances of achieving a band 8 on the IELTS test. Also, if you want to know more about the IELTS exam, you can visit your nearest IDP IELTS test centres.
Read more: What is a good IELTS score