How I achieved 7.5 bands in academic module

[Emid]

Hi all.

Well, I am from Pakistan and I am a doctor. I took academic IELTS two
times with 7 and 7.5 overall bands respectively. Keep one thing in
mind that I never studied in "O", "A" levels where English is well
spoken among classmates so they are use to of it. Although, both times
my score served the purpose but due to my professional activities, I
couldn't able to use them and in turn both IELTS expired, pity on me.
Now I am taking it 3rd time and I need 7 overall bands and hope I will
do well this time too.

Here I am going to share my experience how I achieved good score.

Most of the takers find "Reading" as a difficult task. Me too.
Specially the identification of information in the text: yes/no/not
given and matching a bank of writers' views/claims/information with
the writer. As the pattern of IELTS is progressively difficult, you
sometimes run out of time and in the end you become either perplexed
or do haphazardly. I don't know if any of you have used this method
which I am going to mention but even if it doesn't suit you just try
it ONLY if you have time to practice, initially without clock then
timed.

So, START THE TEST FROM SECTION 3, the hardest part. Yes I completed
in some 25 mins, and the rest were easy to manage. I got 8. Practice
as much as you can. Skimming and scanning, everything work. I worked
on "read-question-then-scan" policy to minimize my time and energy
consumption. For heading, its true to read first and last lines of the
para but not universal --- be aware of that. Read the question
carefully and summarize it in your mind, even in your native language.
Scan with the speed of skimming --- yes you would have practiced a lot
and now you are a robust. STOPPP!!! Something recognizable! Slow down
your speed, now read slowly and there it is! For writer’s view think
YOU are a writer. Do you think you wanted to say ‘xyz’ or not? You
will ALWAYS succeed in this way.

Listening is just about listening. You have to practice a lot of
listening to become used to of accent and pronunciation. ‘Tune’ your
ears. So just listen a lot. Got 7. and yes, most of the people say use
headphones. In my view point, NEVER! From day 1, stay in real world.
You won’t be given headphones in real exam.

Hmmm...writing. Consider yourself in ER. You need a crash cart ready
for you where all life saving drugs are kept. Equip this cart with
your vocabulary bank as well as Grammar as first aid. Try to use
conditional sentences when it comes to do task 2 of writing where you
need reasoning and arguing. Make some universal sentences which you
can put in any type of essay. For task 1, make universal notes
applicable in all types of charts after tuning, detuning, calibrating,
adjusting until a final product comes out for you. In real test just
put the values as you don't need to ponder over the task as you have a
model in your skull. You will save time. I got 7.

Lastly, speaking. Got 7. Think in English, speak in English, dream in
English, eat in English, smile in English, make gestures in English…oh
yeah ----- in English (fill in the blanks thinking yourself in my
place)

You might have familiar with the given ideas before but then don’t be
afraid to apply. Practice the techniques wisely. Time management is
crucial. A request for you all…please add my name “ahmed” in the list
of your prayers --- I need to give it again and to get 7 bands. Best
of luck and hey…you are passed.

Cheers.

[anosmi]

thanks for sharing your experience .. its good

[ravi03]

a good one.thanks