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I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:31 pm
by bharath137
I got my IELTS and to my surprise it was 8.5 (L:9, R:9, W:8, S:8). I did not join any course or spend a penny to "learn" about the test.

The Internet is a great place which has every possible info about IELTS. When I decided to take IELTS, I read about the test and how to prepare from various blogs. I took a sample test to gauge my position. The result was pathetic. I decided to spend min 3 hr every day until I get comfortable. The 1st week was the most challenging to get into the IELTS mode. At the end of every week, I would do a sample test to assess my strengths and weakness and focus accordingly for the next week.

As mentioned in every blog, the only shortcut to IELTS success is practice. YouTube is a great place to get material for L & S. There are many websites with 1000s of topics for W & R. For Writing, I created a template of how I would structure my essay irrespective to topic. For Speaking, I prepared all basic questions. I practiced speaking in front of mirror everyday for 30 mins. By last week I would get 8 in any practice L or R. On test day, I kept myself relaxed, in happy mood listening to my fav songs :P

IELTS is as much a test of endurance as English. It is not easy to focus for 2.5 hrs. So, the only way to achieve is to practice. While preparing, try to do it in the "test format" and sit for 2.5 hrs. When I took the test I was confident of scoring min 7 in all. I guess with a little luck I scored 8.5.

Good luck to all.

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:15 am
by azkad
Simple but worthy words to follow ... ;)

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:56 pm
by bharath137
I also found out that candidates would be made to enter 1.5 hr prior to test (in India). I heard it was tough to stay idle and silent for 1 hr and gather strength to start with test. BTW, no blog had this info. So few times during practice, I would sit idle for 1 hr before starting with a tough L test from YouTube. It was very mentally draining but helped me immensely as I knew exactly how the test env would be.

The test env is very diff from normal practice env at home where we lay down on our couch and do things! My guess is, most of the candidates are defeated by the env (to stay idle for 1.5 hrs and focus for 2.5hrs) more than by the actual English test. So, apart from merely practicing repeatedly, I would recommend simulating the test env as much as possible and testing in that would showcase your true standard.

Cheers folks.

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:29 am
by Liji
Congrats....your hard work brings luck...well
done

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:22 am
by Ryan
bharath137 wrote:I got my IELTS and to my surprise it was 8.5 (L:9, R:9, W:8, S:8). I did not join any course or spend a penny to "learn" about the test.

The Internet is a great place which has every possible info about IELTS. When I decided to take IELTS, I read about the test and how to prepare from various blogs. I took a sample test to gauge my position. The result was pathetic. I decided to spend min 3 hr every day until I get comfortable. The 1st week was the most challenging to get into the IELTS mode. At the end of every week, I would do a sample test to assess my strengths and weakness and focus accordingly for the next week.

As mentioned in every blog, the only shortcut to IELTS success is practice. YouTube is a great place to get material for L & S. There are many websites with 1000s of topics for W & R. For Writing, I created a template of how I would structure my essay irrespective to topic. For Speaking, I prepared all basic questions. I practiced speaking in front of mirror everyday for 30 mins. By last week I would get 8 in any practice L or R. On test day, I kept myself relaxed, in happy mood listening to my fav songs :P

IELTS is as much a test of endurance as English. It is not easy to focus for 2.5 hrs. So, the only way to achieve is to practice. While preparing, try to do it in the "test format" and sit for 2.5 hrs. When I took the test I was confident of scoring min 7 in all. I guess with a little luck I scored 8.5.

Good luck to all.
Thank you very much for sharing. This is such an encouraging and actionable post. You're right about endurance being a skill that is often overlooked by candidates when preparing. The IELTS demands a candidate perform at peak capacity for several hours, which makes the exam and the associated stress draining both mentally and physically. Practicing under exam-like conditions, especially in the few weeks leading up to the big day, can help the candidate predict their performance and address any weaknesses early before these weaknesses have a chance to affect the mark.

Congratulations on this incredible IELTS achievement!

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 9:09 pm
by Fembass
bharath137 wrote:I got my IELTS and to my surprise it was 8.5 (L:9, R:9, W:8, S:8). I did not join any course or spend a penny to "learn" about the test.

The Internet is a great place which has every possible info about IELTS. When I decided to take IELTS, I read about the test and how to prepare from various blogs. I took a sample test to gauge my position. The result was pathetic. I decided to spend min 3 hr every day until I get comfortable. The 1st week was the most challenging to get into the IELTS mode. At the end of every week, I would do a sample test to assess my strengths and weakness and focus accordingly for the next week.

As mentioned in every blog, the only shortcut to IELTS success is practice. YouTube is a great place to get material for L & S. There are many websites with 1000s of topics for W & R. For Writing, I created a template of how I would structure my essay irrespective to topic. For Speaking, I prepared all basic questions. I practiced speaking in front of mirror everyday for 30 mins. By last week I would get 8 in any practice L or R. On test day, I kept myself relaxed, in happy mood listening to my fav songs :P

IELTS is as much a test of endurance as English. It is not easy to focus for 2.5 hrs. So, the only way to achieve is to practice. While preparing, try to do it in the "test format" and sit for 2.5 hrs. When I took the test I was confident of scoring min 7 in all. I guess with a little luck I scored 8.5.

Good luck to all.
I am overwhelmed... It is true for the saying that 'Good Preparation meets Good luck'

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 5:55 am
by tahani1
Congrats !

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Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:15 pm
by sindu
bharath137 wrote:I got my IELTS and to my surprise it was 8.5 (L:9, R:9, W:8, S:8). I did not join any course or spend a penny to "learn" about the test.

The Internet is a great place which has every possible info about IELTS. When I decided to take IELTS, I read about the test and how to prepare from various blogs. I took a sample test to gauge my position. The result was pathetic. I decided to spend min 3 hr every day until I get comfortable. The 1st week was the most challenging to get into the IELTS mode. At the end of every week, I would do a sample test to assess my strengths and weakness and focus accordingly for the next week.

As mentioned in every blog, the only shortcut to IELTS success is practice. YouTube is a great place to get material for L & S. There are many websites with 1000s of topics for W & R. For Writing, I created a template of how I would structure my essay irrespective to topic. For Speaking, I prepared all basic questions. I practiced speaking in front of mirror everyday for 30 mins. By last week I would get 8 in any practice L or R. On test day, I kept myself relaxed, in happy mood listening to my fav songs :P

IELTS is as much a test of endurance as English. It is not easy to focus for 2.5 hrs. So, the only way to achieve is to practice. While preparing, try to do it in the "test format" and sit for 2.5 hrs. When I took the test I was confident of scoring min 7 in all. I guess with a little luck I scored 8.5.

Good luck to all.

Congrats dear,

For me I practised with my toddler who is everytime stubborn and demanding I got very little time to practice. Still managed to get 7 in all except writing . Can u pls tell me hw u practiced in writing and hw did u made template
Pls help

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:08 am
by Evgeniia
Could you please share your writing template?

Re: I scored 8.5 with a 30 day prep calendar

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:14 am
by Donna
WOW, congrats :!: