Many students do a lot of testing but not enough preparation. The problem with tests is that you don't learn anything new. You don't improve.
"To train for a marathon, you don't run a full marathon every day!"
The solution is to spend more time preparing. Don't test yourself on a new topic that you have no idea about. Spend some time researching the topic to find good ideas and vocabulary. Then try to write a 'perfect' essay using your research, a dictionary, your teacher to help you etc. Type the essay on a computer, check for spelling and grammar mistakes, re-read it, look at how the paragraphs are organised, highlight the 'band 7 vocabulary'. If I've covered the topic on this website, use my ideas to make 'perfect' paragraphs and ask a teacher to check them.
When you have written a 'perfect' essay, wait for a few days and then test yourself on that topic. Imagine the difference!
Hi Simon
Today I took the speaking part of my test. Everything was ok. Just I got confused in part 2. Because I did not know the exact differences between games and sports. I put me in trouble. I was supposed to talk about A game not a sport that you did when you were a child (with whom? Where? When? Why was it enjoyable?).
I chose hide-and-seek but I could not speak properly because in 1 minute for preparing I just thought about game and sport.
In part 3 I was asked kind of games and their differences and importance for ADULTS not CHILDREN!
Thanks for your advice. you are really kind and generous.
Posted by: Azam-Iran | May 18, 2013 at 11:08
Hi Simon,
Can you please elaborate "band 7 vocabulary"?
Posted by: Shams | May 18, 2013 at 11:19
Dear Simon,
With you a very weekend:)
Thank's for great suggestions.
Regard's
Suman
Posted by: Suman | May 18, 2013 at 11:44
I wish for you a great weekend:)
Posted by: Suman | May 18, 2013 at 11:46
Hi Simon,
You have no idea how much you have enlightened me so far.
Thanks again for your advice. I'm a big fan of yours ;)
Posted by: Kim Sun | May 18, 2013 at 12:16
Hi everybody
Could anyone recommend "road to ielts" by created British council to practice the test?
If it is good to practice like Cambridge books(1 to 9) I will buy that one.
Please suggestions...
Posted by: Mert | May 18, 2013 at 13:24
Dear Mert,
From my experience, "road to ielts" is not that much effective.
Thanks
Posted by: Shams | May 18, 2013 at 14:46
Hi Simon,
As we all know, for ielts writing, we get score for each criteria – task response, coherence, vocabulary and task response. Someone told me even if we get 7, 7, 7, 6 in each criteria, we still get 6.5. Is that true? He said an examiner said in order to get 7, we have to get at least 28 for total.
Posted by: Zoe Wu | May 18, 2013 at 15:03
Hi Simon,
Can we use dash or bracket in ielts writing?
Posted by: Zoe Wu | May 18, 2013 at 15:09
Hi,Simon,
In the writing Task 2, is the number of paragraphs fixed on 3 or 4?
Wish you a enjoyable weekend!
Posted by: Yongjie Chu | May 18, 2013 at 16:34
Hi Mert,
ROAD to IELTS is 30 hours of free practice that you get once you have booked your exam with the British Council.
As a trainer, my advice would be - stick to Simon's format for both writing tasks, and use the free preparation materials.
Posted by: Magi | May 18, 2013 at 22:39
hi Simon! how r u? i'd like to ask a question about task 2. there is one type of essay, it is when we have to disscus causes and effects and suggest a solution. in such type of essay, do we have to give a solution in body or is it better give it in concluson? please help me with that!
Posted by: Nodir | May 19, 2013 at 04:54
hi Simon,
i'd like to ask a question about speaking part 2. do i have to talk all the points that are on that card or could i talk anything i like associated with the topic?
Posted by: Benson | May 19, 2013 at 07:21
Thanks shams and magi
Posted by: Mert | May 19, 2013 at 14:03
Hi Simon,
What do you mean about the "band 7 vocabulary"?
Have you got any list available?
Best Regards,
Posted by: Frenchy | May 20, 2013 at 07:47
Hi Benson, you have to talk 1-2 minutes about the topic and to answer all the questions which are on the card.
Posted by: cd | May 20, 2013 at 22:18
Hi Simon
I just need to ask that does it matter if u write in all capitals in listening and reading tests and what about the brackets that we can put in the for example brake(s) is that right.
Posted by: Pk | May 21, 2013 at 06:11
Hi Pk.
As far as i know from Simons old lessons,No it does not matter to write in Capital letters.
Regards,
Soha
Posted by: Soha | May 23, 2013 at 08:46
thank you soha
Posted by: Pk | May 24, 2013 at 05:55
Hai friends anyone willing to discuss ielts on skype for minimum 1 hr a day ? i require a minimum mandatory score of 7+ . i prefer to combine discussion with any one sailing in the same boat only. I am practicing writing task 2 at the moment. Then pl add my skype id shafva
thanks
Posted by: shafva | May 24, 2013 at 16:52
I have been searching for some offline and online ielts materials to self-study to get a bandscore at least 7.5 - 8; however, i am too confused to pick a right one beacause there are too many sources outthere. May you suggest any websites or books which might suit my case?
Posted by: Cong Le | July 15, 2013 at 05:34