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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.

Preparation tips from successful IELTS test takers

Today, just in time for those of you taking the test this Saturday, I have some more preparation tips. These came from people who have proven themselves successful, by securing IELTS results of Band 8.

Hoang and Seema, the winners of our IELTS results competition in June and July, wrote and shared their tips for success.

Hoang said:

“In order to get a good result, just practice, practice and practice. Read a lot. In fact, read everything (in English), that is within your reach: newspapers, novels or even leaflets given to you on the streets.

Watch English-speaking programmes whenever you can to improve your Listening skill. Don’t be nervous and you will achieve the best result.”

Seema said:

“I realized that to succeed in IELTS exam or rather any exam there are two requirements, and they are:

1. Sound knowledge of the subject.
2. Sufficient practice.

I owe my English knowledge to strong foundation in school! But yes, the exam was easy for me as I practiced according to the exam pattern for 2 weeks.

For this purpose books and study material by British Council was of immense help and so were vast materials available at various sites, including IELTS-BLOG. My score would have been definitely better if I had practiced more.

My suggestions to score high is practice the IELTS related materials again and again, preferably for a month or two, if English basics are clear.

Do not panic. Stay cool.

Follow the guidelines given especially for the writing module. Writing part is the most difficult one for me, but if approached systematically it becomes easy.

I had done speaking practice for just 2 days, but will advise to do more and practice in front of a mirror or a friend.”

Thank you, Hoang and Seema!

IELTS test in Saudi Arabia – August 2010 (Academic Module)

IELTS exam questions and topics were shared by S from Saudi Arabia (thank you!), who remembered the following:

Listening test

Section 1. An interview between a researcher and a visitor to a country for tourism purposes.

Section 2. An interview with a cinema manager.
Questions: a drawing of the cinema location and a schedule of films we had to complete.

Section 3. A discussion between 2 university students and their mentor.

Section 4. A presentation of a research about an old building.

Reading test

Passage 1. Agricultural tourism.
Passage 2. Photography.
Passage 3. The effect of the increased amount of salt in the Australian land.

Writing test

Writing Task 1 (a report)

We had a table describing oil consumption of some regions in the world as a percentage of world oil consumption in 2004 and also a prediction for 2014.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

Some people say that modern children’s games affect negatively the development of their skills compared to traditional games. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Speaking test

Interview

– What is your full name?
– What do you do, work or study?
– Did you enjoy your first day at work? Is it important?

Cue card

Talk about a school you went to in your childhood, please say
– what school it was,
– where it was,
– describe the classrooms,
– what you remember about the teachers.

Discussion

– What is better, a small or large a class?
– What do you think about teaching social subjects in schools and how it should be done?