Category: IELTS Listening

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Speaking IELTS Writing Scoring

How to Get IELTS Band 8 (8.0 or 8.5)

IELTS Band 8

Let’s face it, most of us will never need to worry about getting IELTS 8.0 or 8.5! But there are a tiny number of university courses and occupations that DO require IELTS Band 8 as evidence of a person’s ability to handle ‘complex detailed argumentation’, some law degrees for example.

This article explains what is required to achieve IELTS Band 8 in all four modules of the test. Your module score, or ‘sub-score’, can be either 8.0 or 8.5 depending on whether you meet these minimum requirements, or exceed them slightly.

Your overall IELTS score will also be classified as either 8.0 or 8.5 based on the average of each of the four modules, e.g. Listening Band 9 + Reading Band 9 + Writing Band 8 + Speaking Band 8 = IELTS 8.5.

IELTS Listening Band 8

  • Get 35 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 8.0*
  • Get 37 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 8.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Listening module, including techniques to improve your score.

IELTS Reading Band 8 (Academic Module)

  • Get 35 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 8.0*
  • Get 37 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 8.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Reading academic module, including techniques to improve your score.

IELTS Writing Band 8 (Academic Module)

  • Answer both questions fully
  • Use paragraphing skillfully to convey several key ideas
  • Use less-common vocabulary naturally with an awareness of collocation
  • Provide an overview and explain key points in Task 1
  • Indicate a clear position and develop it extensively in Task 2
  • Produce mostly error-free complex sentences

Read more about the IELTS Writing academic module, including techniques to improve your score.

IELTS Speaking Band 8

  • Speak fluently and at length on any given topic with almost zero hesitation
  • Use a range of linking words accurately to develop ideas
  • Use higher-level and idiomatic vocabulary to convey precise meaning
  • Produce mostly error-free simple and complex sentences
  • Use pronunciation and intonation patterns similar to those of a native speaker

Read more about the IELTS Speaking module, including techniques to improve your score.

*The number of correct answers required to get IELTS 8.0 or 8.5 may vary slightly from test to test.

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Speaking IELTS Writing Scoring

How to Get IELTS Band 7 (7.0 or 7.5)

IELTS Band 7

IELTS Band 7 is the ultimate goal for most international students. A score of IELTS 7.0 or 7.5 is evidence that your English is good enough to join any university course, even at elite Oxbridge and Ivy League institutions. 

Only a very small number of degree programmes require a score higher than IELTS Band 7 and these tend to be language-intensive courses like literature, linguistics, and law.

This article tells you exactly what you need to do in order to get IELTS Band 7 in each of the four modules of the test. Your module score, or ‘sub-score’, can be either 7.0 or 7.5 depending on whether you meet these minimum requirements, or exceed them slightly.

Your overall IELTS score will also be classified as either 7.0 or 7.5 depending on the average band score among each of the four modules. For example, Listening Band 7 + Reading Band 8 + Writing Band 8 + Speaking Band 7 = IELTS 7.5.

IELTS Listening Band 7

  • Get 30 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.0*
  • Get 32 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Listening module, including how listening scores are calculated.

IELTS Reading Band 7 (Academic Module)

  • Get 30 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.0*
  • Get 33 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 7.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Reading academic module, including how reading scores are calculated.

IELTS Writing Band 7 (Academic Module)

  • Answer both questions fully
  • Write in clear paragraphs, each with a main idea and supporting sentences
  • Use higher-level vocabulary with an awareness of collocation
  • Provide an overview with detailed comparisons in Task 1
  • Indicate a clear position and stick to it consistently in Task 2
  • Produce generally error-free sentences

Read more about the IELTS Writing academic module, including how writing scores are calculated.

IELTS Speaking Band 7

  • Speak fluently and at length on any given topic
  • Use a range of linking words accurately to connect ideas
  • Use less common and idiomatic vocabulary
  • Produce generally error-free sentences
  • Show good control of pronunciation and intonation

Read more about the IELTS Speaking module, including how speaking scores are calculated.

*Note that the number of correct answers required to get IELTS 7.0 or 7.5 may vary slightly from test to test.

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Speaking IELTS Writing Scoring

How to Get IELTS Band 6 (6.0 or 6.5)

IELTS Band 6

If English isn’t your first language, then you’ll need to submit an IELTS score in order to be accepted onto a university programme taught in English. Most universities worldwide require an IELTS Band 6 score, with 6.5 being the most common requirement. So what is required to get IELTS Band 6?

A score of IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 shows that a person is ‘competent’, meaning they can cope in a classroom situation even though there may be some mistakes or misunderstandings with language. For students who need it, many universities provide short English courses of one to three months before the degree programme begins.

This article tells you exactly what you need to do to get a score of 6.0 or 6.5 in each of the four modules of IELTS. In the case of Listening or Reading, you need to get a certain number of answers correct. In Writing and Speaking, you can earn that extra 0.5 by slightly exceeding the minimum requirements here.

Your overall IELTS score is calculated as an average of the four module scores, or ‘sub-scores’.

IELTS Listening Band 6

  • Get 23 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.0*
  • Get 26 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Listening module, including scoring and exam techniques.

IELTS Reading Band 6 (Academic Module)

  • Get 23 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.0*
  • Get 27 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Reading academic module, including scoring and exam techniques.

IELTS Writing Band 6 (Academic Module)

  • Answer both questions adequately
  • Show good ability to organise an answer (e.g. paragraphs, linking words)
  • Attempt to use some higher-level vocabulary (even if not always accurate)
  • Provide an overview with supporting details in Task 1
  • Indicate a position and provide supporting arguments in Task 2
  • Make yourself understood (even if grammatical mistakes are made)

Read more about the IELTS Writing academic module, including scoring and exam techniques.

IELTS Speaking Band 6

  • Speak at length on certain topics
  • Use a range of linking words to connect ideas
  • Show good ability to paraphrase
  • Use both simple and complex structures
  • Speak with generally good pronunciation

Read more about the IELTS Speaking module, including scoring and exam techniques.

*The number of correct answers required to get IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 may vary slightly from test to test.

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Speaking IELTS Writing Scoring

How to Get IELTS Band 5 (5.0 or 5.5)

IELTS Band 5

Would you like to study at a university overseas? If you’re planning to enter through a foundation or pathway programme, then your course may require IELTS 5.0 or 5.5. So what does this mean exactly and what should you do to get an IELTS Band 5 score?

IELTS is a test of English and a person with IELTS Band 5 is a ‘modest’ user, which doesn’t mean they are shy! Modest here means that the student can communicate in most situations but may struggle in an academic environment. That’s why a student with IELTS Band 5 will usually need to study English for a whole year at university before starting a degree course.

This article tells you exactly what you need to do to get a score of IELTS 5.0 or 5.5 in each of the four modules of the test. For Listening or Reading, your score is based on the number of questions answered correctly. In Writing and Speaking, there are more complex ‘scoring criteria’ required to get IELTS 5.0 (or 5.5 if you exceed the criteria a little).

Finally, your overall IELTS score is calculated as an average of these four module scores, or ‘sub-scores’.

IELTS Listening Band 5

  • Get 16 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 5.0*
  • Get 18 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 5.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Listening module, including how to improve your listening score.

IELTS Reading Band 5 (Academic Module)

  • Get 15 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 5.0*
  • Get 19 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 5.5*
  • Spell answers correctly
  • Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question

Read more about the IELTS Reading academic module, including how to improve your reading score.

IELTS Writing Band 5 (Academic Module)

  • Use vocabulary that is adequate for both tasks
  • Show some ability to organise an answer (e.g. paragraphs, linking words)
  • Attempt some complex sentence types (even if not accurate)
  • Include some details in Task 1
  • Indicate a clear opinion in Task 2

Read more about the IELTS Writing academic module, including how to improve your writing score.

IELTS Speaking Band 5

  • Show ability to talk about both familiar and unfamiliar topics
  • Produce simple speech accurately and fluently
  • Avoid long silences
  • Attempt more complex structures (even if not accurate)
  • Attempt to paraphrase (even if not accurate)

Read more about the IELTS Speaking module, including how to improve your speaking score.

*Note that exact scores needed to get IELTS 5.0 or 5.5 may vary slightly from test to test.

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Speaking IELTS Writing Study Tips

IELTS For Free! 5 Ways to Cost-free Preparation

Free IELTS lessons

Textbooks, lessons, and the test fee itself – getting through IELTS can be an expensive business. If your budget is rather tight, you might be interested in the following hints and tips. All of them are completely free and some don’t even require you to use English!

1. Go online

Do a simple online search for IELTS and you’ll find that there are hundreds of sites offering free IELTS advice and practice. That’s almost certainly how you got here. But why is there so much available for free online? The answer is simple. Most websites make money from advertising, or their authors want to sell their own books online. Of course the quality of such sites varies, so be sure to check the author’s credentials before you invest too much faith in a particular site. If the author has several years of real-world IELTS teaching experience, that’s a good sign that they know the test inside-out. Also look for student testimonials, trackbacks and publications as further evidence of a site you can trust.

2. Find an IELTS study buddy

While it’s possible to prepare for the Listening and Reading modules of IELTS on your own, there really is no substitute for another human being when it comes to preparing for the Speaking (and, to a lesser extent, Writing) module of the test. Some people insist that you practice with a native speaker, preferably one with knowledge of IELTS, but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that practicing with another English learner can be just as beneficial. One reason for this is that pairs of learners form better strategies for negotiating meaning. Native teachers can be a little too good at guessing what you want to say, while a non-native partner is more likely to tell you when they don’t understand, so you know when you’ve said something unclear. If you can’t find an IELTS study buddy at your school, some IELTS websites have forums in which you can search for a like-minded partner.

3. Take a free IELTS demo test

It’s worth checking your local IELTS schools to see if they offer a free IELTS demo test. Some organisations offer a sample test for free as a level check and you may even get some study tips from a trained IELTS teacher. This is a great way to get some last-minute practice if you plan to take the real test soon, as well as an effective way to check out what a school is like before you spend any money on lessons.

4. Ask your school or university

If your school or university has an English language department, ask if they already offer IELTS preparation lessons. If they don’t, let them know that IELTS is the preferred English language test of thousands of higher education institutions worldwide and ask if they have any plans to provide IELTS lessons for students who want to study abroad. This may not produce fast results, but there’s a good chance that your request will be noted and IELTS lessons will be introduced in future terms.

5. Practice general academic skills

It’s not true that the only way to prepare for an IELTS test is to take an IELTS course. In fact, there are many skills that you can practice in your everyday life that are directly transferable to test situations. You can even do these in your own language and they should still bring real benefits in an IELTS test. Here are just a few examples:

  • Developing an argument – practice speaking about any topic for two minutes by adding reasons and examples, and contrasting different views. This is best done in English of course, but start in your own language if you’re not used to expressing opinions.
  • Essay outlining – increase your writing speed by taking any topic and producing a five-minute outline of how you would present your opinions in an essay. You don’t have to write the actual essay.
  • Targetted listening – listen to any spoken recording (it doesn’t have to be academic) and try to pick out and write down certain types of information such as names or numbers.
  • Speed reading – find an article of around two pages in length and give yourself a ridiculously short amount of time (3-5 minutes is recommended) to note down the main ideas. To accomplish this, you will have to skip over the minor details, which is exactly what you must do in the IELTS test itself.

Of course, all of this should be combined with a good awareness of the test itself. Make sure you read our introductions to the four IELTS Academic modules if you have any uncertainties about what to expect:

Plan to study IELTS on your own? Check out our guide to the Top 5 IELTS textbooks for self-study first.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions IELTS Listening

IELTS Listening: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

IELTS Speaking Part 2

The questions below are among those most frequently asked about the Listening module of IELTS. If you are looking for basic information about the structure of the Listening module, you should probably read IELTS Listening: Introduction first.

What kinds of recordings will be played?

There are four listening passages, or sections, and these always follow the same order: Section 1 is a general conversation; Section 2 is a general monologue; Section 3 is an academic conversation; Section 4 is an academic monologue. You might hear, for example, a telephone interview, followed by a radio programme, followed by a seminar discussion and finally an academic lecture.

How much time is there to read the questions?

Before each section begins, you will have a short time of up to 30 seconds to preview questions. There will usually be one more short break in the recording to preview further questions. That is why you should listen carefully to the instruction which tells you exactly which questions will be covered in the next part of the recording. For example: You now have some time to look at questions one to five.

How many times will each listening passage be played?

Once only. If you miss the answer to a question, you should quickly have a guess and then focus your attention entirely on the next question.

Continue reading “IELTS Listening: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)”

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IELTS Listening Introduction to IELTS

IELTS Listening: Introduction

IELTS Listening

The IELTS Listening module consists of four sections. In each section you will hear a recording of a monologue or conversation. Each recording lasts around five minutes. See below for information on all four sections.

While listening, you have to answer ten questions, which can be multiple choice, short answer, or filling in the gaps in a sentence, diagram, or data table. There is additional time at the end of the test to write your final answers on the answer sheet.

The Listening module is the same in both the academic and general training versions of IELTS. The Listening module lasts around 35 minutes and is the first part of the test.

IELTS Listening Section 1: General conversation

Time: 5 mins approx. Questions: 10

Examples: An interview about student wellbeing; A telephone conversation about buying travel tickets; A student asking about accommodation.

IELTS Listening Section 2: General talk

Time: 5 mins approx. Questions: 10

Examples: A radio programme about local history; A short talk about healthy eating; A presentation about student services.

IELTS Listening Section 3: Academic conversation

Time: 5 mins approx. Questions: 10

Examples: A discussion between a student and a tutor about an assignment; A seminar discussion about a research project; Two students discussing homework.

IELTS Listening Section 4: Academic lecture

Time: 5 mins approx. Questions: 10

Examples: A lecture on the history of photography; A lecture on volcanoes; A lecture on animal behaviour. (You do not need any knowledge of these topics to answer the questions.)

After listening

You then have 10 minutes to transfer your 40 answers from the question paper to the answer sheet. You must use a pencil and any spelling errors will be penalised.

How IELTS Listening answers are scored

A human examiner marks your answers. You get one point for each correct answer, giving you a ‘raw score’ out of 40. This is converted into a ‘band score’ from 0 to 9. For example, you need 30 correct answers to get a band score of 7.0.

Five key exam techniques for IELTS Listening

1. Predict answers before you listen. This helps you to identify the type of information required and leads to ‘targeted listening’.

2. Identify parallel meaning. Be ready to make the connection between what the speaker says and what the question asks.

3. Check grammar carefully. In sentence completion tasks, you may need to change the speaker’s words to make them fit the question grammatically.

4. Practice using different skills at the same time. You will need to use reading, listening and writing skills at the same time during the listening section of IELTS.

5. Improve your spelling. Your answer may be marked incorrect if not spelt correctly.

Now practice IELTS Listening

There are many real IELTS Listening samples available for download on the official IELTS website. On this site you can find many useful IELTS Listening practice opportunities. Use them!