Many students I teach want at least band 7 in their test and although this is not easy, it is possible with the right level of English language and the right preparation.
A few weeks ago I received a message from one of my students who had just taken the IELTS exam and got the score she wanted (she was lucky to be able to take it) – in fact her score was amazing and much more than she wanted (Writing 7.5, Listening 8.5, Speaking 7.5, Reading 8). Yet just 5 months ago this student was struggling at band 6.5.
What made the difference in the end was change - a change to her approach.
If you keep taking the exam and getting the same results then unless you change the way you are approaching the exam you will keep getting the same result. It’s a vicious circle.
Some students think that the more they take the test the more their score will improve. To an extent this may happen especially BUT how long will this process take? The exam shouldn’t be a method of preparation it should be the final step in your study.
Once you reach band 6, the leap to band 7 and 8 is actually much greater. You now need a level of English language that is approaching native speaker (and it takes around 7 years for a native speaker to get to that level!). Not only that, but you also need to know EXACTLY what to do in every part of the test for that Band 7 or 8 score to be given.
Let’s look at some of these things:
Listening:
- You need to be able to pick out small details in what is said
- Listen and make notes so you don’t miss things
- Be aware of grammar to avoid mistakes in your answers
- Listen for markers so you don’t lose your place and miss questions
- Listen, understand, read and write all at once!
Reading:
- You need a wide range of vocabulary so that you can spot synonyms
- Organise your answers grammatically once you have found the relevant information
- Understand how certain linguistic devices (e.g. negatives) function in English so that you can match the question and text information accurately
- Use good skimming and scanning techniques
- Be able to work fast and pace yourself so you can finish everything with ease
- Use key words not only to find the place in the text but also to know when it is not the right place
Writing:
- Be able to plan quickly and effectively
- Know exactly what band 7 writing ‘feels’ like to write
- Have excellent grammar, vocabulary and knowledge of formal and academic writing
- Have a wide range of vocabulary and also be flexible in your use of grammar for formal writing
- Be able to manage cohesion well with a good range of linking devices
- Know how to scan for errors and spot these quickly during checking
Speaking:
- Be able to speak comfortably about a range of topics
- Demonstrate a good knowledge and flexibility of language
- Be able to structure a short ‘talk’ quickly and deliver this fluently and in an interesting manner
- Be able to use a range of tenses, modal verbs and other grammatical features in delivering opinions and comments in answer to the examiner’s questions
- Be able to listen well and at the same time begin to formulate an answer
All of these things are second nature in your own language but you need to apply those skills as well as you can in English. The better you apply them the higher the band, it’s that simple!! These are only a selection of the skills you need for band 7 and 8 – there are more.
If you are completely comfortable with all of these concepts but not getting your band 7 and 8 then you are not applying them well. If there are some that you are not happy with then you need to work on these and if you don’t understand what some of them mean then you are probably not yet performing at band 7 and 8 level and you need to ask someone to help you understand how to do them.
Whatever your reaction to these points, if you are not getting your band 7 and 8 and still following the same study path or approach to the exam that you have always used then you have to find a new path TODAY.