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Overcoming IELTS Challenges – My Journey to an 8.5 Band Score
- Nairaland
- Nov 10, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
🧲 Title
From 7.5 to 8.5: A strategic IELTS journey that actually worked
⚡ Hook
My first IELTS run left me with 7.5 overall and a stubborn 6.5 in Listening. It wasn’t enough, but I learned how to turn weakness into a plan. Here’s what I did, what worked, and what I’d do differently next time.
📌 IELTS Snapshot (People-like-me)
🎯 Goal:
Elevate overall IELTS score by targeting weaknesses, using structured prep and coaching to reach 8.5+ with balanced section scores.
🌍 Context:
First attempt in 2014 after four months of prep.
Speaking was done first, with the rest a week later.
Second attempt in 2015, driven by a need for a smarter plan and better results.
🗓️ Timeline:
2014: First attempt — 7.5 overall; Listening 6.5 (noted weak area).
2015: Second attempt — 8.5 overall; Listening 8.0, Writing 9.0, Reading 9.0, Speaking 8.0.
Later: Attempted Computer-Delivered Test (CDT) with the same overall band.
⛓️ Constraints:
Budget: $15 for a 15-day online tutoring program.
Time: Four months of prep for the first attempt; structured approach for the second.
Test-day sequence: Speaking first on both attempts, then others.
Outcome:
2014: 7.5 overall; Listening 6.5.
2015: 8.5 overall; Listening 8.0; Writing 9.0; Reading 9.0; Speaking 8.0.
CDT attempt: same band score; minor section differences.
🧾 Evidence:
Present: Score reports and notes from two attempts; mention of online tutoring; CDT experience summarized.
🧭 The Journey
The path began with a careful but imperfect plan. In 2014 I tackled IELTS with roughly four months of study, pulling from a mix of videos, official textbooks, and PDFs. I booked the Speaking section first, then warmed up the other sections the following week. On test day, confidence helped me push through, but the result told a clearer story: a solid overall, yet a stumble in Listening (6.5) that held me back.
Frustration didn’t derail me. In 2015 I re-registered with a distinctly more intentional game plan. I joined a 15-day online tutoring program for a small fee, and I used that time to pinpoint weaknesses and build targeted strategies. The plan wasn’t about more study, but smarter study—structured practice, guided feedback, and deliberate drills aimed at the exact gaps I had shown in the score report. Before the next test, I made sure to arrive early, settle in, and treat the day as a performance I could influence, not a roll of the dice.
That second attempt paid off in a big way. The overall score jumped to 8.5, with Listening up to 8.0 and the other sections hitting 8.0–9.0. It wasn’t luck; it was a shift in where I invested time and how I practiced. The takeaway was clear: identify weaknesses, then address them with a clear plan and support when needed. Without that strategic approach, improvement would feel more like luck than skill.
Afterward, I even tried the Computer-Delivered IELTS and saw a similar band result, though with small differences in section scores. The core lesson stuck: strategic study plus proper coaching can translate into real, repeatable gains. If you’re preparing for IELTS, don’t just study—study with a map, measure results, and adjust quickly.
That’s the essence I want others to take away: learn from mistakes, yes, but also build a plan that compounds your progress week after week.
💡 What Worked (Xperify Insights)
✅ Insight 1 — Identify and fix weak spots with data-driven focus
Why it worked: Targeting the specific bottleneck (Listening) allowed efficient use of study time and raised the overall score.
Do this next 👇
Pull your last score report and list each section with a score and a confidence note.
Identify the weakest two modules to prioritize first.
Create a 2-week sprint focused on those modules with timed drills.
Track error patterns (question type, topic, or habit) and adjust practice accordingly.
Use short, daily reviews to reinforce corrections.
Schedule a mid-sprint checkpoint to reallocate time if needed.
Works best when: You have a concrete score from a real test and a willingness to iterate.
Might not work when: You skip the data review or don’t adjust practice after the first check.
Evidence note: Present — the author explicitly identified weaknesses and targeted improvement.
✅ Insight 2 — Structured prep + coaching yields results
Why it worked: Formal guidance helped turn vague goals into actionable steps and provided feedback you can’t get from self-study.
Do this next 👇
Enroll in a short, targeted coaching or tutoring program aligned with your weak areas.
Set a clear 15–20 day plan with built-in practice, feedback, and review.
Include a mix of practice tests and skill drills each week.
Use templates for writing and speaking to build consistency.
Schedule a mock exam under timed conditions at least once per week.
Review mistakes with someone who can explain “why” not just “what.”
Works best when: You have a specific improvement target and can access guidance.
Might not work when: You rely solely on self-study without feedback.
Evidence note: Present — the 15-day online tutoring program is documented as a turning point.
✅ Insight 3 — Be prepared on test day; small rituals matter
Why it worked: Arriving early and being in a calm, prepared state reduces nerves and raises performance reliability.
Do this next 👇
Plan logistics to arrive at least 45–60 minutes early.
Do a light warm-up: quick reading or listening drills, light stretch, and a calm breathing routine.
Confirm test-day materials and equipment are ready the day before.
Avoid last-minute cram sessions that spike anxiety.
Treat the day as a performance with a steady rhythm.
Works best when: You tend to get anxious or run short on time on test day.
Might not work when: You don’t simulate test-day conditions in practice.
Evidence note: Present — the author notes arriving early and feeling more prepared on the second attempt.
✅ Insight 4 — Small changes compound: even similar results can come from better structure
Why it worked: Even though the CDT yielded the same band score, the approach difference kept the learning process alive and improved stability across sections.
Do this next 👇
Use a consistent practice cadence for several weeks, even if the overall score plateaus.
Maintain section-specific drills to keep a balanced skill set.
Compare different delivery formats (paper vs. computer) to understand your adaptability.
Keep a log of section-by-section progress to spot subtle shifts early.
Reassess goals after every major practice milestone.
Seek feedback on any persistent weaknesses, even if scores look close.
Works best when: You want durability across formats and avoid skill erosion.
Might not work when: You overfit to one format and neglect others.
Evidence note: Present — CDT showed similar overall performance with some section variation; the broader strategy remained important.
🗓️ 7-Day Mini Plan (simple + realistic)
Day 1:
Gather previous score reports; list top 2-3 weak areas.
Set a clear score target for the week (e.g., boost Listening by 0.5, maintain other sections).
Day 2:
Intensive Listening drills (30–45 minutes) focusing on weak area; timed segments.
15-minute quick-review of mistakes and quick fixes.
Day 3:
Reading practice: 2–3 passages with strict timing; note wrong questions and reasoning.
Create a one-page quick-reference for common mistakes.
Day 4:
Writing practice: Task 1 data description + Task 2 essay outline; review with a mentor or template.
Practice under time constraints; aim for clarity and structure.
Day 5:
Speaking practice: Part 1–3 mock interview; record and self-review; note pronunciation and fluency targets.
Get quick feedback if possible.
Day 6:
Full practice test under exam-like conditions (timed sections, no interruptions).
Immediately review all errors and categorize by type.
Day 7:
Rest and light review; adjust the plan for next week based on what improved and what didn’t.
Prepare a concrete plan for the coming two weeks: which drills to intensify, which to cut back.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Treating IELTS prep as endless guessing rather than a structured plan.
Ignoring the data from your score reports and not focusing on weak areas.
Relying only on self-study without feedback or coaching.
Overemphasizing one section and neglecting others.
Skipping full-length practice tests or simulating test day conditions.
Not building a strategy for time management across sections.
Forgetting to log progress or adjust plans after setbacks.
Underestimating the value of test-day routines and mental prep.
🧠 If You're Like Me…
You’re not just chasing a score; you’re chasing a reliable system you can trust under pressure. With the right focus, a bit of coaching, and a practical plan, you can move from “good enough” to consistently strong IELTS performance. It’s about steady progress, not miracle jumps. Stay curious, measure what matters, and keep iterating.
🔎 Provenance
Source platform: Nairaland Forum
Posted date: 2019-11-10
Author: EnglishWithJosh
Transformation note: This is a rewritten, structured summary for learning; original credit remains with the author.
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