Below are some tips for the day of your IELTS exam. This tips are to guide you before your IELTS test and also during your test. These tips are for both GT and Academic tests. All pages on my site are relevant this year, 2019.
On this page, you will find:
- Tips for “on the day” of your test
- Last Minute Tips to focus on before your test:
- Listening Tips
- Reading Tips
- Writing Tips
- Speaking Tips
It is important that everyone reads this page before the test day and also on the morning of the test day. Good luck 🙂
On the Day IELTS Exam Tips:
Be prepared for your IELTS exam by making sure you know exactly what will happen in the day of your test. Check all tips and rules below.
- Sleep & Eat Well
- The IELTS test is long. It takes 2 hours and 40 mins to do the listening, reading and writing test. There is no break between the tests. Make sure you are well rested and have eaten in order to keep your concentration during your test.
- Clothes
- Wear comfortable clothing. You are not marked on your appearance for any part of the test. So, wear something that you are comfortable in and that gives you confidence.
- The test room might be cold in the aircon is on, so take an extra layer of clothing with you.
- Drink
- You can take a drink into the exam room as long as it is in a transparent bottle.
- Arrive Early.
- Make sure you know how long it takes to get to your IELTS test center and exactly where your test will be held. Don’t be late or you won’t be allowed to enter the exam room. You will need to check in so make sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare.
- Toilet
- The listening, reading and writing tests take 2 hours and 40 mins. There is no break so make sure you go to the toilet before you enter the exam room. If you need the toilet during the test, put your hand up and the invigilator will let you go. But you will lose valuable time by doing this and it could affect your score.
- No Phones
- You will not be allowed to take your phone or any other electronic items into the test room.
- Pen, Pencil & Eraser
- You should take at least two pencils and one pen – just in case one of them stops working. You should also take an eraser as well. You can’t take a dictionary or extra paper into the test room. For your speaking test, you can take nothing into the room except your ID.
- ID
- Check with your test center exactly what ID you need to take with you. Don’t forget it.
- Listen to Instructions
- Listen carefully to all instructions given before your test starts.
- Clock
- There will be a clock on the exam room. You cannot take a watch into your test. Make sure you know where it is before your test starts so you can keep checking it in your reading and writing test. You can’t take your watch into the exam room.
- Disability
- If you have any form is disability that will affect your test, you must speak to the test center well before your test date.
- Focus & Be Calm
- Make sure you go into your test with a clear aim and an understanding of the techniques you need to use. Be calm and confident at all time.
Don’t
- Don’t cheat
- This is an international test and cheating or copying is not allowed.
- No dictionary
- You are not allowed to use any form of learning aid in your test.
- Don’t take the test paper home
- You are not allowed to take any part of the question paper home with you.
- Don’t continue writing after the invigilator tells you to stop. If you continue writing even one word or one sentence, you could have your whole test invalidated.
IELTS Test Tips During your Test
The following IELTS test tips for each part of the IELTS exam will help you focus on the right things during your test. Don’t lose marks by not being prepared.
IELTS Listening Exam Tips
- Make sure your headphones are working. Raise your hand if you have a problem.
- If no headphones are used, make sure you can hear the recording. If you need the volume increasing, raise your hand immediately and someone will come to ask what the problem is. Explain that you need the volume increasing.
- Use the time given to prepare the questions. Always read through all questions before the recording starts. You should practice doing this at home.
- Focus on listening for answers rather than trying to understand everything.
- Write your answers on your question paper while you listen.
- Make sure you notice how many words you can have for each answer.
- You will be given 10 mins after the recording has ended to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Always check your spelling and grammar.
- It is recommended to use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS FOR YOUR ANSWERS.
IELTS Reading Exam Tips
- Read the instructions carefully and make a note of how many words you can use for your answer.
- Don’t waste time trying to find one answer. Just move on to the next question.
- Keep your eye on the clock.
- Write your answers directly on to your answer sheet. There is no extra time for transferring later.
- Always spend time analysing the questions before looking for an answer.
- Look out for paraphrasing.
- Your aim is to find answers – not to understand the whole passage.
- It is recommended to use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS FOR YOUR ANSWERS.
IELTS Writing Exam Tips
Click on red links to access more pages:
- Don’t spend more than 20 mins on task 1. Keep checking the time so you don’t make this mistake. You need 40 mins for task 2.
- Always write over 150 words for task 1 and over 250 words for task 2. See this lesson about the recommended word count.
- Don’t count the number of words, count the lines and estimate your word count. See this lesson to learn about using the official IELTS writing answer sheet properly.
- You can plan your essay on the question paper. No extra paper is given for planning. The examiner will not look at your planning, only at your essay.
- Always write a clear overview for task 1 academic. See here about the conclusion/overview issue. For GT task 1, make sure you cover all points requested in your letter.
- Always write your conclusion for task 2. Never miss it out. If you only have 3 mins left, use it to write your conclusion.
- Always organise your writing for both tasks into body paragraphs.
- Check your spelling. You can use either American or British spelling.
- Keep all information focused and relevant. More does not mean better.
- If you run out of paper, put up your hand and you can get more.
- Do not remove any paper from the exam room.
IELTS Speaking Exam Tips
- Practice speaking English before your test. Practice expressing your opinions on different topics and talking about your past experiences.
- Be confident and ready to chat. This is not a formal interview. Being open and friendly is important.
- Listen to the question and answer it directly. Don’t waste time before answers. Be direct. This applies for part 1 and part 3.
- Add more information to all answers. Keep talking until the examiner stops you.
- Don’t focus only on vocabulary. Vocabulary is only 25% of your marks.
- You can wear anything you want. This is not a job interview. Clothing does not affect your score.
- Use a range of grammar tenses in your test.
- American or British English pronunciation can be used. A mixed accent is also fine. The key is to make sure your words are easy to understand.
- Ask the examiner to repeat the question if you need it. See this lesson about asking the examiner questions.
- If the examiner interrupts you, don’t worry about it. It’s a normal part of the speaking test. Just focus on the next question.
- The examiner will provide a pen and paper to prepare your talk for part 2. The examiner will not look at your plans and will only mark your talk. It is fine to look at your notes and at the cue card during your talk, but also try to make eye contact.
IELTS Exam Tips: One Week Before
- Full IELTS Practice Tests
- Make sure you have completed at least one or two complete IELTS practice tests before your real test. See my useful websites page for links to free IELTS practice tests.
- Practice using the Official IELTS Writing paper : a free download link is given under the video.
- Review common topics for IELTS speaking and IELTS Writing.
- If you are worried about your test, consider booking two tests. You can use the best score from any test.
The exam tips above are summarised from the official IELTS sites:
Always check with official sources in case of any changes in rules.
Good luck with your test!
All the best
Liz 🙂
I wanted to pay it forward. But briefly i will only give generic content on what i remember for IELTS Academic test i took in end Jun 20 at Singapore.
Speaking test was on happiness in general. Basically comparison of what makes a person happy. For example, it can be how work makes someone happy, or if people in your country are happy.
For writing task 1, it was a line graph with 3 trends of wood and pulp products over the years.
As for Writing task 2, it has to do with the qualities of a person to succeed in life, and whether qualifications are needed.
Hello Liz,
I have ADHD and I have to take the IELTS exam.
What can I do in this case?
This is something you will need to discuss with your test centre or IELTS Official. The test is long. The listening, reading and writing takes about 2hr 40mins without a break. That is a long time to sit and concentrate. Have a chat with them and see if they are facilitate your condition in some way.
hi liz,
ur way of teaching is so much clear, its all the way organised, almost all the queries are got solved by visting ur site, i can listen ur lectures fr hours nd hours, practice samples are so good. learn nd practice. its so much hel[ful. thankyou for ur effort
Davinder
You’re welcome 🙂
I would like to share an experience of mine which might be helpful for others who have same issue.
Before entering the exam venue i smoked a lot to reduce my nervousness which results in a extreme urge of urination during my exam especially when i was concentrating on writing task 2 but i couldn’t. Finally i had to go to the toilet which killed my significant time. Also i was holding my urine a long time thought that i could pass the exam but eventually it disturbed my concentration a lot. Now, i regret for this.
So, i have a tiny advice for you those smoke to reduce nervousness and that is DO NOT SMOKE much before going to the exam venue. Smoking acts as a kind of diuretics and stimulates your bladder. As a result you will be forced to go to the toilet by your own body system while you are concentrating on your exam.
There are many students like me i think. Hope this will be helpful.
An interesting tip. I hope your results turn out ok.
Dear Liz,
I would like to thank you so much for help a lot of resources. I recently bought grammar book and I have some questions. Could you please explain to me?
Page 15
1. 1.
An increasing number of tourists visit sites where catastrophes occurred.
1.10.
A huge amount of information is available on the internet.
Could you explain why No1. answer should be visit and No10 should be is?
Thanks.
You can find this information in the Chapter on Quantifiers. It shows how in one case the verb is singular and the other plural. It is linked also to countable and uncountable nouns which is also highlighted in the Quantifiers chapter addressing: a large number of / a large amount of.
Very useful things
hey Liz, on the practice test available on the IELTS site I was able to listen the audio more than once on the computer. Is that possible on the test? thanks foy all your classes.
No. In the test you hear the recording only once. You have no control over the recording at all. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop and doesn’t repeat.
Hello Liz,
Just wanted to thank you for this blog, it helped me so much! I’m usually very anxious and insecure when I take the test but you and your material gave such confidence on the test day that I can’t even describe!
Thank you again and may God bless you!
Donna
I’m glad your confidence is growing 🙂
Hi liz, i hope you’re doing fine 🙂 I had my speaking exam 2 days back, and the examiner was an adorable human. She asked me multiple questions in part 1. In part 2, she stopped me after 1 minute. The part 3 was very lengthy as she asked most of the questions in part 3. Is it okay if she stopped me after 1 minute of me speaking in part 2? Wont it affect my score? The examiner extended the part 3 by giving less time to part 1 & part 2. While answerin the questions, i just talked naturally, i didnt force myself to use unique vocab. Although, i did stop for 5 seconds while answerin 1 question that i had no knowledge of.
I’ll appreciate it if you reply soon. 🙂
The examiner is not allowed to alter the lengths of any part of the Speaking test. You are allowed 2 mins to speak in part 2 and the examiner cannot alter that rule. You cannot have more than 5 mins in part 1 or part 3 – the examiner cannot alter that rule either. If you are 100% sure that the timing was wrong because you timed each part yourself accurately, you could complain. The test is recorded so that everything can be checked by remarking.
Dear Liz,
I gave my speaking yesterday from idp.
I would like to share my experience as I had bad day yesterday. The examiner was not friendly at all and was barely smiling which made me uncomfortable. However, I kept speaking without any pause during first half of test but I was repeating my thoughts because of unfriendly nature of examiner which gave me hard time during the exam.
Initially the examiner introduced herself and verified my ID and asked my full name. Instead of asking friendly questions such as work, studies etc she started with a question ‘ Do you live in home or apartment ? ‘
I am not sure what is the correct procedure to start speaking because I was nervous and expecting a friendly chat with examiner but she bombarded with exam questions suddenly which made me more nervous.
I repeated my thoughts in part 3 and also stopped in between during part 3 while answering on of the question. Although my part 1 was good and for part 2 I spoke continously for 2 minutes. The examiner stopped me in part 2.
Do you think it will impact my score due to part 3 ? Is it advisable to give feedback about examiner ?
I think there were a couple of problems here. One the examiner was not friendly. This is unfortunate. However, it is something that all candidates need to be prepared for. You cannot allow the attitude of the examiner to affect you. You must be prepared for encouraging, smiling examiners and for the opposite. Certainly this is something you can complain about, but it is unlikely to alter your score. The other problem was that you haven’t prepared properly. This means you were not familiar enough with the test before you enter the test room. As explained in my free video lessons, in part 1, the first topic might be work/study, home or hometown. The first question of Home is actually “Do you live in a house or apartment?”. So, you should have know this topic and you should have known this question. You can see that question on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-part-1-topics/. For part 2, the examiner must stop you at exactly 2 mins – these are the rules. In part 3 or part 1, the examiner will interrupt your answer as explained on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/why-the-ielts-speaking-examiner-stops-your-answer/. You can almost all tips and lessons on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/.
Nothing that happened during your test will change your score unless you allowed it to affect your confidence. Hopefully you will still get the score you need. However, if you don’t, please prepare more fully for your next test. Nothing should be a surprise in the test room. Occasionally there are topics which are new, but most topics and common topics which have been previously used.
Hi Liz,
I am taking the IELTS Academic Exam this Saturday and I was wondering if we keep all the papers (listening, reading and writing) since they are all done after each other and don’t have breaks, or are they collected?
They are always collected. You can’t have any access to them after the time is up for each one.
Hi Liz,
Hope you are well and doing great job. I have a question in my mind. Actually, I’m very confused about it. I took my ielts exam on 22nd February and it was my first attempt. So, I felt uncomfortable during exam and I didn’t perform good, but my performance in class was good. If I take ielts exam after one and half month, will I get same result ? Though I performed well in exam. My friends who took ielts exam, they said to me that if you get 5 band in reading and writing in first attempt, you can’t increase your score after one month because ielts don’t think that anyone can improve English within one month from 5 to 7 band. Is it true or only myth? Plz clear my doubt
This is information that IELTS provide based on their beliefs. If you performed badly in one test and then well in another, of course your score will probably increase well beyond 0.5. If you didn’t understand the test and the techniques, but then learned them for the second test, it is possible for your score to increase beyond 0.5. The problem is that you yourself cannot judge if you preformed well or not for speaking and writing because you are not a train examiner. It is almost impossible to greatly improve your English language in a short time – but it depends if it is your English or your IELTS skills that were lacking the test. So, as you can see, there are a number of factors that influence your score and that could alter or not alter your score in a second attempt. I have seen people increase their score by 2 band scores in only one month – but that was because their level of English was fine but their IELTS skills were lacking.
Hello
Is there any opportunity to take an individual tutorial with Liz to get feedback on my writing?
Thanks
Sorry, I don’t have that service available at present.
Dear Liz,
I’ve been following your instructions and watched all your videos on youtube for the past 3 days. I’m sitting my IELTS test tomorrow in Egypt! I’m going to sit the computer based test but I can’t find a lot of mock computer based exams online, Is it okay that I use and answer paper based exams as they are more available?
Thanks for your efforts.
Sure it’s fine to use paper tests to prepare for the computer test. The tests are the same. IELTS do not offer a full computer based test to practice with, but they do offer free computer based questions which you must review to get the feel for the test. See their website or go to the BC IELTS website. Don’t forget that in the listening test, you need to put your answer directly into the computer because you only have 2 mins checking time at the end of the test, not 10 mins transfer time as in the paper based test. Good luck!!
Dear liz
In speaking examiner asked me in part 3 i.e discussion question to answer for “whether you like to save your childhood memories in photos or videos format”? So my doubt is to answer one choice or both the choices equally.
In speaking, your ideas and the method of answering the question is not marked. All questions are a chance for you to showcase your English. Answer in any way you wish and let the examiner guide you after that.
Dear Liz,
I can’t thank you enough for all the insight and tips you have shared on your blog and Youtube! I am a doctor from India, and had only 5 days to prepare for my IELTS exam (UKVI Academic) as I was busy preparing for my Post Graduate Entrance exam prior to this. I basically went through ALL your posts and videos and did the mock tests provided in the booklet mailed by the British Council. I was apprehensive about cracking the exam in such a short time period but I had no other choice and gave it my best shot. I just received my result today, which was as follows:
Reading 8.5
Listening 8.5
Speaking 8
Writing 7
Overall band score 8.
To all the IELTS aspirants reading this, you’ve come to the right place! Follow Liz’s guidelines and you can breeze through this exam too. Goodluck!
Thankyou Liz, for all the effort you put in to making this process so much simpler for us. You’re a lifesaver!
Lots of love,
Akanksha
It’s great to see your results – well done 🙂 I’m glad you found my website and lessons useful 🙂 Thanks for sharing your results.
Thank you Liz for this site and everyone who has contributed here.
Your material helped me pass IELTS on the first attempt with very good results on 14 December 2019.
Listening 8.5
Writing 8.0
Reading 8.0
Speaking 8.5
I am now in the process of migrating to the destination country of my choice.
I just wanted to say keep up the good work, you have done so much for many people.
I’m glad you’ve got the results you needed. Ban 8.5 overall is excellent 🙂 Glad my site was useful 🙂 Good luck wherever you are heading – hope it all works out fine for you 🙂
Congratulation
Hello Liz
My exam is going to be tomorrow
Just one question if in the writing task 2 questions they write about the benefits of e books can I write about paper books also?
It would be fine to compare them in order to highlight the advantages of e-books.
hello mam, in writing task 2 , do they check the factual data that you provide as an example is correct or not??
No, they don’t check it. Adding statistics does not help your score anyway. Just providing relevant examples which are explained in strong English and in sentences produced uniquely by yourself is what counts.
Hi Liz!
I took my IELTS test today and I have a great feeling that it went down well thanks to your invaluable tutorials and tips especially on Writing and Speaking. Thanks so much and keep up the great work!
Wanderi from Kenya
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your results 🙂
Hi Liz,
Instruction in the listening section is ‘No more than 3 words’.
I wrote answers as the below
1. the rainbow communications
2.the plain white
3.the floppy disk
4. the light blue
But, when I checked my answers those are like
1.rainbow communications
2.white
3.floppy disk
4.light blue
Is my all answers will go wrong? Please respond to this Liz as I’m having my exam on 23 November.
You do not always need articles in sentence completion questions unless the article is needed to make the sentence grammatically correct. You do not need articles for note completion questions. If you put the article unnecessarily, it would be marked wrong. Start learning more about different question types and pay attention to grammar in sentence completion questions.
Thanks for the reply and suggestion, Liz.
Hello Liz, I have finished my first part of the IELTS test, and now I am waiting for my speaking test. This will be my forth test because I couldn’t get 7 from my writing and speaking modules. I hope this time works well. I couldn’t study properly but I tried. I will post my results.
Good luck!! 🙂
Finished my speaking today!(06/11/2019):
*Part1- Home,weather,money
*Part2- Describe a person who you find has interesting ideas and opinions
*Part3- 2 Questions related to part2 and some questions on children, TV etc.
Thanks Liz for your tips on each and every section of IELTS modules.
Thanks for sharing 🙂 Good luck in the next part of your test 🙂
I followed the tips you have given for the General training. It improved my scores. Initially, I was on CLB 6 and now i scored CLB 9. I’m so Happy LIZ. Thank you 🙂 You’re wonderful!
That’s a great improvement – well done 🙂
Hello Liz
I’m having my exam tommorow. Can u tell me to use Pen or Pencil for Listening , Reading , Writing?
Thank you
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/. Good luck!
I would like to ask for your help regarding the listening task. I’m having my test tomorrow and I’m afraid that I won’t have enough time to read the 4th section of the Listening. Is it against the rules of IELTS to turn to section 4 for instance while you should have been reading section 1? I mean, of my own volition, can I choose for example not to read section 1 at all, but instead to read another section. Will I be able to turn the pages of the Listening task papers according to my will, or will I be flagged for “cheating”? I’m really nervous because I would like to play by the rules, but they are nowhere to be found.
Thank you so much for your reply.
That is a very bad strategy. Have you actually tested this out at home on about 5 or more full practice listening tests? I would never recommend anyone to focus on any questions other than those directly coming.
Dear Liz,
I wrote my IELTS on the 7th of September,2019 and i scored 7.5 overall.
I want to say a BIG THANK YOU for all your lessons.They were very instrumental to my success!
You are appreciated.x
Great score – well done 🙂 I’m pleased for you 🙂
Hi Liz, what if my word count for essay writing reaches to 500 words plus instead of min 250 words. I am able to manage the same in the given 40 mins of time allotted for essay writing. Would there be negative scoring because of that. I am aware more words means more scope for errors. Kindly let me know
As you said, more words means more scope for language errors. However, it also means your essay might lack focus. Every single sentence should be 100% vital to the essay – not padding, no unnecessary information etc. It is an essay that should be written with direct punchy points rather than long winded detail. See my model essays and see how this is done: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Hey Liz,
just a quick question.
Do you know if it possible to see your essay after receiving the score?
I’ve tried to ask for them in the centre where I’ve attended my exam and they told me that it is their policy not to show them.
Do you know if it is something “legal” or even fair?
Thank you so much,
Dani.
IELTS is a test, not a marking centre or feedback centre. They do not release the exam questions or the answers or your papers. There is no way for you to know how you did in each part of the writing or on each of the marking criteria. If you want to know how you did in your writing test, you should reproduce your essay again at home immediately afterwards and then get it reviewed by an IELTS teacher. It is legal for IELTS to withhold your essays and that is how their system works. It isn’t useful for candidates, but you can refer to teachers for guidance on your scores as I mentioned.
Hello Mam
I am benefitting a lot from your lessons.
I have a test on August 17 in GT. I want to know about the latest exam questions. Could you please help.
Thanks a lot
See the Topics section on the Red Menu Bar at the top of the website.
Thanks a lot mam
Hello mam
I only have aroud 8/9 days for my ielts exam and I am quite nervous because I am afraid my writing is not that good.Also sometimes reading section bothers me.I have simple aim to get 6.5 in Ielts.
Please suggest me if you are free to reply.
Use my free lessons and tips for writing and reading which you can access through the RED Menu Bar at the top of the website. You’ll find a lot of lessons and tips to help you.
Hello Liz,
i hope you are doing well.
I had shown your video, You are recommended that write all answer’s in capital letter in L,R.
It is valid in British councillor because of I am too much worried about it.
My next exam will be in Sep. at Bangkok. Looking forward your prompt reply
BR,
Samit Bhavsar
It makes no difference if you take the test in IDP or the British Council or anywhere else. The rules do not change. It is the same test with the same marking.
you are the best.thank you
Hi Liz.
I am really grateful for helping me achieve a band score of 7.
That’s great – well done 🙂
Hey Liz if the question is talk about book you have read so can I talk about novel?
A novel is one type of book.
I do some autocorrections in my speaking interview .how this thing effect my bands
If you correct yourself it affects your fluency and that is 25% of your marks.
Mam you are the best teacher in the world….😊
Thank you mam
Liz is there any rule that we need to write listening and reading answers in capital
There is no such rule. Writing answers using all capital letters is advice, not a rule.
Hello Liz,
Hope you are doing fine.
Just yesterday on 29th June, 2019 I got done with my LRW (General), and I am positive about my test results. My speaking test is wsoon. This was my 3rd attempt of IELTS, and in the last 2 previous tests I could score 8-8.5 in listening, 7 in reading and speaking; however my score for writing (6.5) remained constant for both the tests.
This time I have followed your pattern for writing tasks and I think it was really helpful and I will be able to score 7 or above.
I have noticed in your lectures that you tend to motivate students and with your teaching anyone can achieve their desired bands. I thank you immensely for helping me too.
My Task 1 and 2 topics are as below:
Task 1
The street where you live have recently been dirtied. You decided to write to the local council. Write a letter to the Manager. In your letter:
-explain what has caused the problem
-explain what problems are faced by the people
-suggest possible action the council should take
Task 2
Ordinary people try to copy famous people that they see in magazines or on TV.
Why do you think this happen?
Do you think it is a good idea to copy famous people?
Finally, I just want to say that you are doing a great work and I only wish for your well being so that you continue spreading your work.
Thank you once again.
Thanks for sharing 🙂 Fingers crossed for your results 🙂
Thank you 🙏🏻 😊
Hey Liz, your material is great and very effective.
My question is that in the writing task 2 of the General ILETS sometimes the essay says to either agree or disagree with the statement. Can we use a middle path for that?
Any question that calls direct for your opinion is an Opinion Essay. Any Opinion Essays gives you the choice to agree / disagree / partial agreement (balanced approach). However, to write a proper balanced approach that fulfils the band score requirements, you should be properly trained.
Hey Liz,
Thanks for all the tips and advices for the IELTS exam.
I am taking the computer based exam and was wondering if we would get an extra sheet to right down the answers before we transfer it to the Answer sheet or do we have to use the question paper itself for the rough work.
You do not get 10 mins transfer time in the computer based listening test. You get only 2 mins at the end of the recording to check spelling. This means you need to put your answers directly into the computer while you are listening. The questions are on the computer screen – not on paper. Please go to the official ielts website and do practice computer based tests.
Hi Liz , I have a query about your tip number 8 in listening and reading modules. You said write the answer in capital letters. For example if answer is capital then we can write CAPITAL? London or can write LONDON.
Best regards and stay blessed.
IT’s best to always write in all capital letters for reading and listening: LONDON
Hello! I am Malika from Uzbekistan. Thanks a million, Dear Liz . The atmosphere of the site is encouriging and Your IELTS tips are super. I am gonna follow your advice. Hope I will get higher band score in Exam . I like you.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🙂
Hi Liz, thanks for all the tips and lessons you provide to us. I’m intend to pass my IELTS test on 29 June, I started revising one week ago and I have Intermediate level, but I forgot so much about my english lenguage… I’m very anxious especially about the Speaking, because I’m not a very talkative person..I’m afraid will not have so much ideas or arguments talking about… I think I will stop talking before the examiner will tall me to stop …
Txs for giving tips for that …
You have one month to immerse yourself in English. This means for the next month you will think, speak and even dream only English. Keep a diary each day and write a list of everything you have done, everyone you have spoken to, what they said, what you felt, what you ate, what your plans are etc – all in English. This is the type of information the examiner will ask in part 1 and part 2 speaking. It is your choice how determined you are to use this month to conquer IELTS.
There are over 300 pages of free lessons and tips on this site – read the HOME page to learn how to find them. Uses all these pages to prepare for your test and also do real IELTS tests at home under exam condition to practise.
Thanks a bunch Liz, I’m definitly gonna follow your advise , really a good idea to have a diary …And I’m already started following your lessons…
Thank you Liz.
Hello Liz,
I’m Kyle and I found this page of yours to look for tips for IELTS examination. I’m from the Philippines and will be taking my exam tomorrow here in Australia. I do not have that fluency in talking english language. In the speaking test is it okay if I stutter during my turn in speaking? I sometimes pause a moment to think of a specific word for my sentence, wouldn’t I get to lose scores for my pauses? Thank you!
It will affect your score for fluency, but now it is not the time to worry about it. Instead, start focusing on your strengths. Get a good range of grammar tenses into your answers – offer second conditional statements, plenty of past tense, future forms, comparatives, superlatives etc. Part 2 is a good time to put grammar tenses in because you have 1 min to plan. Don’t be overall concerned about vocabulary – you can’t afford for your fluency to get worse because you are trying to find a word that you can’t remember.
This is an informal test – so be chatty and friendly. There are no right or wrong answers – just a chance to show the examiner your English. Keep talking until you are interrupted. Be direct in all answers and then add more – in the same way you would with a friend you were chatting to.
Good luck 🙂
These are the very helpful tips for IELTS Exams. Thanks sharing your tips.
Hi Liz,
Hope you are well and celebrating Easter Monday!
I am very Happy to let you know that I got my IELTS exam result on 19th April. I scored what I targeted but never expected. I scored:-
Listening – 8.5
Reading – 9
Speaking – 7.5
Writing – 7
My band score is 8 now. I am getting this score because of all your insightful sections on your website.
Best Regards,
M
That’s such a great score! I hope you are proud of that achievement – well done 🙂 I’m so glad my lessons helped 🙂
Thank you so much Liz for all your support. I am very Happy.
May god bless you always 😊
Hi Liz,
I’m Ayesha from Sri Lanka. I attempted the ielts exam on 23rd of March 2019 in the General Training module. I received my results today (checked online) and fortunately I have the score I was expecting. However, since I was not pretty confident with the reading and listening components of the above test, I got immediately registered for the next test which is to be held tomorrow (06/04/2019). If I get lower scores for this exam will that invalidate my results of the previous exam? If not so, do I have freedom to pick and choose the best report and use it?
Please let me know, as it is quite important for me to decide as to whether I should face tomorrow’s exam or give up and stick to the former result.
Thanks
Best Regards
Upuli
Your IELTS certificate will be valid for two years. If you take two tests, both certificates are valid and you can decide which one to use. This means if your first test was better than the second test, use the first test certificate for your future purposes.
Thank you so much Liz!
Hello Liz,
Thanks a ton for your training, it helped me a lot in my IELTS exam. I took my exam on 23rd March 2019 in India and I’m very much excited about results.
I’ve one question, while in listening I have written an answer incorrectly in question booklet but later while transferring answers to my answer sheet I realized and modified it to correct answer. But I left the wrong answer as it is in question booklet. Will it be a problem if I have two different answers in question booklet and answer sheet? Kindly clarify.
Awaiting your response!!
The examiner does not see the question paper – only the answer sheet.
Hi Liz,
Is there a way to get past papers of GT reading?
Yes, you can buy the IELTS Cambridge test books which contain real IELTS tests published by IELTS. You should always complete three or four full real tests at home before your exam date.
Hi Liz,
Hope you’re doing good!
I would like to thank you for creating this website and including all the relevant material and tips for preparing for IELTS. It has been of immense help to me as I hardly had a week/ 10 days to prepare, due to my professional commitments. Especially, the model answers for writing and tip videos for listening and reading are fantastic, and i encourage all those appearing for their exams to definitely have a look at them. It helps one to understand the key points to focus on/ keep in mind to get good scores.
I appeared for my GT module on Dec 1st 2018, and just received my scores. I got an overall 9.0 band with the break up as follows:
L-9.0
S-9.0
R-9.0
W-8.0
Thank you once again. And wish everyone appearing for the exams all the very best!
Warm regards,
Shriya
Very well done to you, Shriya!! 🙂 Overall Band Score 9 !!! I am seriously impressed 🙂
Hello Liz! I want to thank you for all your hard work. Your tips and the provided information have helped me a lot. Today I have receved my results and I scored 7.5 thanks to you. Keep up the good work and thanks again!
Well done – 7.5 is great 🙂
Hi Liz
I just wanted to say a big ‘thank you’ from my hubby and me. We only used your website for our revision etc. It was all we needed. He got 9 overall and I got 8.5. I was beyond nervous but I tried to remember your advice to keep my brain moving when I started to panic!
Thanks again.
Anne (& Simon)
That’s fantastic!! I’m so pleased for your both. Band 9 is very rare and band 8.5 is excellent 🙂 Think of sharing your results on the page for other IELTS candidates to see: https://ieltsliz.com/post-your-ielts-test-results/. Well done !! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Thanks a Lot Liz for your website and youtube channel. I prepared for my IDP IELTS exam with the help of your tutorials and tips. My LRW test was on April 21st 2018 and my speaking test got over just now. You are doing an amazing job and your video sessions are of great help. Thanks again.
Glad my lessons were useful 🙂 Fingers crossed for your results 🙂
Hello Liz,
Yesterday was my IELTS exam and it was amazing because of your pieces of advice and your lessons. I got a benefit from you so thank you for everything that you do on this website.
Glad the tips helped 🙂
hi Liz
This is Atika from Pakistan. I had my academic test on 24th March, 2018. I got band score 7.5 overall
Listening 8,
Reading 8,
Writing 7 (because of my slow writing)
Speaking 6.5 (I confronted a very very bad traffic jam for 03 hours that badly affected my mood and mind on Speaking test day, still got this score just because of your guidance otherwise I might had even worse score)
Liz, i am a die heart fan of your teaching. I took IELTS lessons only and only from your YouTube videos and this website, (that considerably saved my precious time and money), so all credit goes to you. You are simply a love 🙂 you are such a devoted teacher I ever had in my life, I am overwhelmingly grateful to you. Your pedagogical style is really very engaging and inclusive. The way you deliver lecture is awesome. I have recommended your lectures to my friends who are looking forward for taking IELTS. God bless you with health, success and happiness 🙂
Atika, I’m so pleased with your score. I know that the speaking test didn’t go as you planned, but you still did very well 🙂 Well done getting band 7 in writing – not easy! 🙂 Thank you for your kind message. It’s lovely to know that I have helped you 🙂
HHi Liz,
With the help of your lessons and practice tests, I was able to achieve the score I need. Thank you very much!!
Dear Liz,
I was preparing for my IELTS general test, and while going through the youtube IELTS videos, i found your’s to be the most helpful. I noticed that you are not posting videos anymore, which by the way is a loss for millions of students like me.
I really appreciate your teaching style, your soothing voice, your slow and steady approach and not to mention your beauty. Yes, i really feel you are beautiful which makes the learning even more interesting.
Finally, i would like to conclude on the note that you have been really helpful and more of your videos on youtube will definitely be appreciated.
Yours Lovingly :),
Mohammed Ali
Thanks so much for your comment. I stopped making videos in Nov 2015 because I had serious health problems which I still have. When I’m better (hopefully next year), I’ll make more 🙂
We are looking forward to it dear, hope all your health problems get cured. I will pray to god for the same. Until then, ciao….
Thanks 🙂
Hi Liz I did my exams again on the 9th of Sep. Previous result:L7.5 R8.5 S7.5 W6.5.
New result: L9.0 R8.5 S8.0 W7.0
Thanks so much for this blog and the you tube assistance.
I’m really pleased for you 🙂 Well done 🙂
Hello Liz,
I am so grateful to you for the job you doing here so much that i feel just saying thank you wont do any justice. You doing a very good work. Ever since i came across your site and teaching i decided to stick, the truth is there are different sites training students but your is just different as you understand the exact steps one needs to use to prepare well. I had my IELTS test on the 19th of August, this was my fist attempt ever and my center messed us up in Listening which is one of my strongest as the recording stopped on two different occasions throwing candidates off balance and they just continued playing from where they stopped annoying. Anyways i got a score of Listening:6.5, Writing: 7 Reading 7:5, and Speaking:7.5 although listening got me mad i still must say thank you cause i learnt a whole lot from here.
I think you’ve done really well indeed!! It’s such a shame your listening score is low – it’s really awful when the center messes up like that. But you’ve done great. Getting band 7 in writing and 7.5 in speaking is excellent 🙂 I’m really pleased you found my site useful 🙂
Hi Liz!!
I just received my result.
L-8.5
R-8
W-7
S-8
Overall-8
I am really grateful to you as your site was the only resource of my studies. I have followed each and every advice given on this website. I have failed 5 times before getting the desired score in the sixth attempt. I had trouble in scoring 7 in speaking & writing in all of my previous attempts. But, finally I was able to break the jinx.
Your valuable tips & lessons have helped me a lot in not only scoring well but also in getting a better understanding of the language.
Thanks again!
You are the best English teacher I have ever had.
Excellent!! It must be a great relief to you to finally hit such a great score 🙂 Well done with your dedication and determination 🙂
Hi Liz,
I wanted to thank you for all preparation tips for IELTS. I didn’t prepare for the IELTS except for 2 days of watching and reading your tips. Your tips and tutorials have helped me a great deal to get an overall band score of 8.5. My detailed band scores are:
Reading: 9.0
Listening: 9.0
Speaking: 7.5
Writing: 8.0
May God bless you. Keeping sharing the knowledge.
Cheers!
Zubair Hameed from Lahore, Pakistan.
Excellent! 8.5 is a great score!! You should be proud to do so well. Thanks for sharing your results which are an encouragement to all students 🙂