Is Scoring an 8 in IELTS Really That Hard?

Contrary to popular belief, scoring an 8.0 in the IELTS exam is not as difficult as many think—especially if you have a solid command of the English language. Achieving a high score is largely about mastering the right techniques and strategies. I managed to score an 8.0 in just two weeks of preparation, and here’s how you can too.

IELTS Reading

The IELTS Reading section tests both your reading and skimming skills. There are various types of questions, and for each one, you need to alternate between reading in-depth and skimming the text. It's crucial to familiarize yourself with the different question types and understand the strategies for each. There are numerous resources available, including popular websites that offer clear strategies for tackling the test.

One critical insight for the IELTS Reading section is that the order of the questions follows the order of the information in the passage. This means that if you’re working on Question 2, its answer will always appear after the answer to Question 1 and so on. Knowing this simple fact can significantly boost your chances of success, especially in tricky question types like True/False/Not-Given, which many students find challenging.

IELTS Speaking

The Speaking section, particularly Part 2, is often seen as the most intimidating. However, the key to performing well is to stay calm, natural, and confident. Even if you make a mistake, don’t let it throw you off balance.

Let me share a personal experience. During my last IELTS test, everything was going smoothly until I reached Part 2 of the Speaking section, where I was asked to talk about my most memorable day. I followed my usual strategy of addressing the topic, but I stumbled while searching for a word, and the silence stretched on for about seven seconds during which I was repeatedly interrupted by the examiner. This experience taught me two valuable lessons:

IELTS is about the overall performance, not just one part: If you don’t do well in one section, don’t get discouraged. Focus on performing well in the remaining sections of the exam. We are often our harshest critics: If you’ve put in the work, trust the process, and believe that your efforts will pay off in the end.

IELTS Writing

Writing in the IELTS is all about focus. The examiners are looking for more than just language proficiency; they want to see how well you can organize and develop your ideas. The secret to doing well is to focus on just one or two clear, relevant ideas and expand them thoroughly.

For example, if the task asks for your opinion on a certain topic, think of two key points you want to make. Then develop each point in a separate paragraph, providing detailed explanations and examples. Avoid introducing new ideas in the middle of your essay—stick to developing the two main points. This will help you write more clearly and coherently and will improve your overall score.

IELTS Listening

In my opinion, the Listening section is the easiest of all the IELTS tasks, but it still requires focus and attention. The trick to doing well in Listening is to use the time given at the start of each section to predict the answers. This can make a huge difference as it primes you to listen more attentively.

For example, when you’re given time before a listening section, try to predict what kind of word (noun, verb, number) will fill the gap. When doing map-related questions, look at the key features of the map (like street names or landmarks) so you don’t miss anything during the recording.

Additionally, practicing this prediction technique in both Speaking and Listening will help you improve your performance significantly.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, IELTS is not as difficult as it’s often made out to be. Many students are intimidated by myths and misconceptions, which can negatively affect their motivation. The key to success lies in focusing on your strengths, addressing your weaknesses, and applying the right techniques for each section.