Hello everyone, Thanks a lot for all the wishes on my previous post.

I am here to share my experience n

then the links will follow at end of the post. This is gonna be a huge post so go through patiently, also I
will attach this same post in word document n post it in files section.

FYI – This was my second attempt.

First attempt – L 6.5 /R 8.5 /W 6.5 /S 8 → Overall 7.5

Second attempt – L 8.5/ R 7.5/ W 8/ S 8 → Overall 8

LISTENING –

● The first tip is to get familiar with the accent especially British, American, NZ accents. These are
most commonly used in Listening. This can be done via sources online media. I have been
studying English since childhood and I am living in English speaking country so 95% of my
conversation every day is in English. I did not put any extra efforts on practicing English or
getting familiar with accents. If you do not converse in English daily, better you get familiarized
with accents n how they pronounce. It is tough for me to explain in words here.
● The second tip would be skimming through the question paper. They give you time to read the
questions ahead before beginning the recording. Utilize this time wisely.
Example – First two sections are easy. You don’t even need 1min to check those questions.. it
hardly takes few seconds. So if your done scanning the questions from 1-5 and u still have time,
go ahead with last section i.e. 31-40. The reason being, the last section is toughest and has
either three words/ number answers. When your given time for checking your answers after 1-
10 questions.. I feel strong need to not check them n waste much time, just scan through ur
answers and turn to other questions n scan them… this way you get time to understand the
questions twice.
● Third tip, If you are given a MAP / DIRECTION questions, scan them right after your 1-5 qn
answers are written (this should b done only when your okay with your previous answers n have
time left). For these type of questions, imagine yourself n analyze the questions or map ahead.
Write down left , right , diagonal, opposite in shortcuts on the map near the marking points ( I
mean A, B, C what ever is given). What happens is, when u listen to the audio you can easily
point which one is left right opp bla bla…. This way you won’t get panicked. If you mess up MAP
you can easily drop your score.. Last time same thing happened with me.
● Fourthly, you need not worry about spellings while writing in the question paper, you should be
careful while transferring the answers to the answer sheet.
● If your center does not provide you the head phones, then practice without headphones so you
can be accustomed to the volume levels. I made mistake of using headphone for practice as I
was given headphones back in India for my academic IELTS. In the USA they did not give
headphones n other students were like coughing, making noises which distracted m very badly
for the first time.
● Practice as much as you can for the Listening if you are not confident in English. Practice is key
and following above tips will give you ample of time to even review your spellings, n also get
chance to read the questions twice (one when you are asked to, another one is after you are
given time to check your answers).. But please be careful while turning your pages to read the
questions before you are asked to (invigilator may get hold of you doing this LOL).. Its kinda
unfair but at least better than IDP / BC looting our money just for sake of 0.5 :-/
READING –

● First and foremost, reading really requires patience, insight into the content given. This can only
be done if you practice Reading the most. This is for those who are not familiar with English.
Only first two sections are like straight forward, from there it would really be tough. You may
have to read the content twice at least or even thrice…
● Secondly, read the questions first and then read the content given.
● In first attempt I got 8.5, second attempt 7.5  but thatz okay.. happens ! I practiced a lot
during my ACADEMIC IELTS back in 2013 n academic reading is too tough compared to General.
So that experienced helped. I got a 7 back then. All I did was read every line pin point n write my
own notes beside the paragraph in 1-2 lines about what I understood from that particular
paragraph. This technique works best for those sections where you are given huge paras n asked
to do match the following (like match Section A, B…. with the respective option)
● Read as much as you can online, any English articles would do.
SPEAKING –

● If you speak in English daily, then just chill and practice the model questions available online.
● If you are not English speaker, then you need practice. First thing, try to talk in English with your
friends, family or at work daily.
● Second thing, the questions are very very common n are from daily life. You can find all of those
online.
● Thirdly, stand in front of mirror n practice the one minute questions. You need not hifi words or
English… just simple plain English would suffice, provided you are fluent with no ahh hmmm in
between. Even if you stop or do not know what to say, do not get panicked.
● I feel the examiners evaluate us on our fluency n confidence.. so if even you have no idea on
what they are asking, kindly ask them to repeat the question. They would do it.
● If you do not have anyone at home to correct your English, feel free to reach out to your friends
outside.. send them audio of your 1 min session. You can even send it to me via FB messenger. I
would be happy to assist you.
● I speak in English 95% of the time daily n my slang is also lil more or less towards American.. that
desi American slang LOL :D so I actually never practiced speaking.
● I m amazed for my 1 min question, I saw the exact question in one of the practice papers.
● My question was – what activity you would like to do on beach, tell me what you wanna do,
what do you need to do that activity, n why you wanna do it..
● My answer was – I wanna do BBQ on beach along with my husband as he was wishing to do that
for ages now… I would like to set up tent, bon fire, watch some good movie with him on
laptop..watch stars… (kinda real life goal LOL) I will be needing BBQ stand, coal, lighter,
marinated chicken veggies n stuff to do this.. I build my answer accordingly.
● Remaining questions follow on your 1min session. My questions were like – who are other
people who spend time at beach, what can you find under water, marine life bla blaa….

WRITING –

The beast here is writing, it even shakes the confidence n score of fluent English speaker at times…
● My academic n first GT writing score was 6.5. The mistakes I made was – did not prepare at all, I
did not put pen on the paper or practice. All I did was read some vocabulary, connectors, linkers,
letter writing samples.. everything with eyes n tried to register in mind. It was big BLUNDER. I
wrote as my heart n mind went on saying… did not bother about the structure.. all I know was
introduction, body n conclusion.. Brruhh !! How stupid I was…
● This time I got a DAMN 8.. yes 8 :D :D :D so below are the things that changed over the last
time..
● First thing, I gathered as much as writing material online… sample essays, sample letter writing( I
m okay with letter writing as I keep writing formal mails daily at work).. Essay has always been
night mare as I m afraid to keep my brain thinking for points n logic…I did not want to strain my
brain. I gathered vocabulary, linker words n many more( I will b sharing in a while)
● How did I prepare ?? Well sorry to say, this time even worse… I did not even put pen on the
paper..same old strategy.. eyes n mind were put into use.. for godsake do not follow me in this
… if your on weaker side then you may drastically loose points… I prepared a night before the
exam.
● How I prepared effectively? – all I did was followed one video from IELTS LIZ..she z amazing.
There are videos for which she charges 18$ … I got one of them… there are three I guess… Later
after my exam they were put on discount for 10$  neva mind..18$ were worth it.
● Okay here are my tips – IELTS GT writing revolves around 10 topics… they are very easy topics… I
will post in one link below(though it is meant for Academic) it helped me a lot to get familiarized
with kind of topics. So first thing get to know those 10 topics…
● Once you get to know those 10 topics, go through few band 7+ essays online and read them n
note down vocabulary related to those specific topics. You can find in the same pdf which I m
posting. They have breakdown all the vocabulary for each topic… memorize atlst few of those
words n how to use them… not Ratta(by hearting without even knowing meaning n how to use)
please exactly..
● After this next step would be, learn synonyms… there are some 50 words with synonyms in one
of the links below… memorize them as well… This way you can use a common word in more
effective way n it would look like less commonly used word n fetch you marks for vocabulary.
● Then, learn linkers, connectors.. I mean like – considerably, in accordance with, eventually etc…
these linkers would connect your sentences effectively. Do not use too long sentences.. this
would harm your score.
● Next step would be learning on how to start letter writing n how to end.. the patterns are
already given online… I will post them as well…. This way you can spend less time on letter
writing. Try to finish this sec 1 in 20min. not more than that.
● Now the major task… sec 2 – ESSAY WRITING. The strategy lies in perfectly drafting a draft n
then start writing. Even before that, you should know what are you asked for. Is it OPINION
ESSAY, ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY, BOTH OPINIONS essay… (follow IELTS LIZ for more details)
● It is just not INTRODUCTION, BODY n CONCLUSION. There is much more to these 3 parts that
contribute a 7+ band.
● It should have proper introduction- this does not mean write definitions n introduce the topic…
Examiners do not have time for that. B straight to the point. Your intro should have – your
point(if you agree then say you agree, if not say you do not agree) and also should have thesis
statement. Try to paraphrase the question in your words n elaborate.
 ● The body, the body should have your reasons for the essay. Make sure to break it down into 2
paras. So the BODY should have 2 paras which means para 2,3 are for BODY.
● Just the reasons do not suffice, you should have supporting points for that reason. Example –
saying sports are good for health n leaving wont fetch you marks.. you should prove why they
are good for health.
● Last para should be conclusion, again do not end abruptly saying you agree .. you should have
valid reasoning for that..
● The most important thing – more words do not guarantee more marks.. they are actually threat
factor.. Try to limit ur essay to 350 words or less.. not more than that. If you write more , there
are chances of more mistakes, no time to proof read… it is not how much you write..it is how
much you follow the structure, summarize all points in 250 words.
● Now my experience – SPORTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TIMETABLE AT SCHOOLS THESE DAYS.
HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK SPORTS ARE FOR THE GIRLS AND BOYS? (question is not
exactly same words, but the central point was how important sports for gals n boys)
● My introduction – sports play major role in upbringing and schools are doing commendable job
by making it must..in my opinion it is must. ( I elaborated on this)
● My body –
-- first para : Sports are important because they help gals n boys understand sportiveness. They
will be aware of healthy competition. Supporting points were – if they are sportive, they can
have happy n content life.. they can differentiate between healthy competition, winning,
loosing… they will appreciate failure with ease even in their own lives..bla bla..
-- second para : Sports improve the health. Supporting points – gals are considered weaker sex,
if they play sports they can discover their hidden potential on par with boys, boys are
considered more strong physically, playing sports will help them know their interests in
particular sport. Sports will reduce childhood obesity. It would eliminate risk of health issues
right from childhood.. I build my body on these points.
● My conclusion – More athletes, players are supporting the idea of introducing sports in school…
I believe sports are very important for overall growth… This can be done by introducing lectures,
talks by eminent sports personalities as children look up to them as idols..(see how I gave my
opinion n also how I supported my opinion n suggested how to make it must)
● Please practice if your not confident..DO NOT FOLLOW ME like last moment …I was lacking in
structuring the essay so I got 6.5 previously..but I was okay with my ideas n vocabulary. This
time I concentrated on structure.. STRUCTURE PLAYS KEY ROLE.
● Do not fret if you can not use hifi words or extraordinary English. I used very plain English with
effective words.
I hope these tips will help everyone… Below are the links I followed –

Writing –

1. https://www.vip-talk.com/books/vocabsecret/IELTS_Band9_VocabSecrets.pdf : this one has 10

models n topics for GT writing. Also, it has breakdown of topic related vocabulary. Very useful to
get familiar with Writing.
2. http://ieltsliz.com/vocabulary/ : all her topics are really useful. Go through her entire website n
videos on youtube.
 3. http://www.studyin-uk.in/blog/list-of-50-synonyms-for-ielts-score/ : this one is so damn useful..
read them at least 4 times n learn at least 2 synonyms for each word.
4. http://www.ielts-mentor.com/writing-sample/gt-writing-task-1 : this site has ample of samples
for both tasks.. few are really good..few are not upto the mark… but there are ample…if you
have loadza time go through every essays n letter writing.
5. http://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/
6. http://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
7. http://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/

SPEAKING –

1. http://ieltsmaterial.com/synonyms-for-commonly-used-adjectives-in-ielts-speaking-writing/
2. http://www.goodluckielts.com/2-3-1-IELTS_speaking.html
LISTENING –

1. http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-listening-tips.html
2. http://www.dcielts.com/ielts-listening/10-tips-for-listening/

READING –

You can find in the above links few reading sections as well.

Other useful links –

1. http://ielts-up.com/ielts-score-maximizer.html this link has good no of practice questions for all

modules.
Finally, GOOD LUCK to all the aspirants … Hope you cross this hurdle !!