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Simone Braverman

Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and the author of several renowned IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005, Simone has been committed to making IELTS preparation accessible and effective through her books and online resources. Her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.

IELTS Results competition winners in April 2022

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, used to say, ‘Hard work creates luck’. Looking at today’s list of ‘lucky’ winners who got these remarkable IELTS scores, we couldn’t agree more!

These people worked really hard to pass IELTS, and today is a great day to show them our appreciation!

IELTS results competition winners of April 2022

Academic Module

  • 1st place – Anugrahita Nirmala from Indonesia, Band 8
  • 2nd place – Afkar Ahmed Seyed Ahmed from Sri Lanka, Band 7.5
  • 2nd place – Aghogho Aguigwo from Nigeria, Band 7.5
  • 2nd place – Sarah Zia from Pakistan, Band 7.5
  • 3rd place – Yu Tsen Yeh from Taiwan, Band 7
  • 3rd place – Shiroshi Jayathilake from Sri Lanka, Band 7

General Training Module

  • 1st place – Neha Mehta from India, Band 7

Congratulations to the winners! To mark this happy occasion we are sending certificates of achievement to the winners’ email addresses. Winning IELTS results will also be displayed in the IELTS-Blog hall of fame – so if you won, please feel free to show them off to your friends!

How did they score so well?

When someone gets a great score in IELTS, it’s never by accident! That is why we’re always trying to find out from the winners how they did it. It feels amazing to see our students win! Anugrahita Nirmala (Band 8) and Yu Tsen Yeh (Band 7) used our writing correction service to find out how to increase their Writing scores. Shiroshi Jayathilake (Band 7) prepared by doing our online practice tests to improve her IELTS skills. Helping them succeed in IELTS was a privilege for us!

As for the other winners – we would love to hear from you, because when you share your stories and tell us how you studied, you are helping thousands of test takers, preparing for their exams right now. Any useful tips will be posted on IELTS-Blog.com, so everyone can use the same technique and get a better score in their own exam this month.

Did you know? IELTS results competition runs every month, and everyone is welcome to participate. Learn how to enroll here.

IELTS essay, topic: Is studying at university better than getting a job straight after school (opinion)?

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 6 Academic book, Practice Test 27

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people believe that studying at university is the best way to develop oneself, learn new skills and find a well-paid job. Other people believe that more is learned from getting a job straight away after school and learning whilst working.


Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

There are many ways to learn new knowledge and skills. Traditional educational routes, such as school followed by college or university is one route that is generally accepted and respected by today’s society. It can be argued, however, that this is not always the best way. A more vocational route can be more appropriate for certain people and for particular jobs.

Universities generally have deference given to them and, due to this, most schools tailor their programs to help students get university admission. Universities usually have respected and highly qualified teachers who have the knowledge and the skills to take their students to very high levels of knowledge and expertise. The very difficulty of gaining admission, getting through the duration of the course and passing final exams ensures to employers that graduates have the necessary self-discipline, intelligence and ability to get through the courses.

Universities are also particularly well suited to the teaching of various subjects, for example, medicine, law and literature and these subjects need students’ full-time attention in order to do well. Although vocational experience is necessary, a certain grounding in basic concepts to a high-level is important. Once this knowledge has been acquired, students can then integrate their knowledge with practical understanding.

This, however, is not the case for all areas of learning, especially ones where the quantity of high level knowledge is not required or is possible to be learned whilst working at the same time. Young people studying to be an electrician or a plumber are good examples. To do this work well requires a lot of experience, yet also a sound understanding of theory. The learning here can be and is done working and studying at the same time, often through apprenticeships and vocational courses involving significant amounts of work experience.

Therefore, in my opinion, there are more ways than one to acquire a profession. Whether learning should take place at university alone or whilst working depends on the course and the end job.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays