IELTS Academic Exam Experience – Lessons & Mistakes

Here’s a breakdown of my IELTS Academic test experience, including my mistakes and key takeaways:

1. Writing Test – Poor Time Management

• Spent 40 minutes on Task 1, including 10 minutes wasted in the restroom.

• Had only 20 minutes left for Task 2 (the more important section).

• Managed to write only 3 paragraphs—no time to proofread, expand points, or add a conclusion.

• Expected a 6 but scored a 7.

2. Listening Test – Unexpected Distractions

• Could hear the conversations of other test-takers, which was very distracting.

• Listening was supposed to be my strongest section, but this affected my performance.

• Score: 7.5

3. Speaking Test – Overuse of Filler Words

• My biggest issue was using “You know?” too often.

• Otherwise, I spoke fluently and confidently.

• Score: 8.0

4. Reading Test – Surprisingly Easy

• Used the British Council Premium Practice Test and never scored above 6.5 in mock tests.

• Expected a 7 at best, but the actual test was easier than the mocks.

• Improved skimming & scanning skills helped me manage time efficiently.

• Score: 8.0

5. Final Results & Reflection

✅ Overall Score: 7.5 – Better than I feared!✅ Key Lessons:

• Time management in writing is crucial—Task 2 needs more focus.

• Minimize distractions during listening.

• Be mindful of filler words in speaking.

• Mock tests can be harder than the real exam, so practice with good strategies.

Would I do things differently? Absolutely. But in the end, I performed better than I expected!

Shared By Aliyu333