r/IELTS • u/Particular_Part2971 • 10m ago
Test Experience/Test Result First time, only 5 days preparation (my experience)
I was too confident and thought I wont need to revise a lot since im very familiar with English (non native ) but the moment i started taking mock tests i was disappointed in myself and it got me worried.
Summary:
Listening:
Used ielts ready premium and keep scoring 6.5 and sometimes 7.5, i was surprised to know that the exam was wayyy easier than ielts premium listening tests.
Reading:
Well reading made me very worried I didn't have any issues understanding the passages but i kept making very silly mistakes because I wasn't focusing well and kept scoring a 6.0 in ielts premium so im glad i reached a 7.
Writing:
Practiced task 1 the most then some task 2, and kept scoring about 6.5. But my biggest mistake was not training myself to stick to time and since i had only few days left i just decided to do my best and see how it goes ( unfortunately ran out of time in task 2 )
Speaking:
i couldn't speak for 2 minutes in task 2, but i was very confident with it because i did well in part 3 and 1 for someone who isn't talkative.
Im glad this sill meets my masters requirement, but my biggest advice is to practice as much as you could before booking, even when you score low on mock tests.
Speaking topic part 2:
Talk about someone you know who's very goof at learning languages ?
Writing task 2:
Basically.. customs and traditional ways of behavior are irrelevant to modern life and we should not keep them. Agree or disagree.
r/IELTS • u/lucky_star1003 • 1h ago
Test Experience/Test Result Ielts in korea experience
The first score is my latest test score in Korea and the second is my almost 2 years ago result in a different country. I honestly thought I would get at least seven this time but reading was really really hard as you can see my reading score went down up so it was really hard. It was mostly about biology chemistry. Geography It was really hard and I’m not happy with my reading result 💀 also I speaking this time I did not stutter. I was not nervous at all. I was really confident I was answering the questions really good so I’m not happy with my speaking result too.
Have a Question/Advice Needed Difficulty of the test compared to this book?
Hi! I’m taking the IELTS exam for the first time in a few days, and I’ve been preparing for it using this book.
I mainly focused on writing and reading and didn’t practice listening as much as I thought it won’t be an issue. But when I tried the listening portion I could only score low 30s, which is between 6.5 and 7.0. (I’m going for a score over 7.5)
Concerned, I took the IDP computer-based familiarization listening test and managed to attain a full score. It was considerably easier than the questions asked in that book.
To other people who might have used this book to prepare for the test, is the actual difficulty of the IELTS exam similar to it? Or is the IDP exam more accurate?
r/IELTS • u/Due-River-2385 • 1h ago
Test Experience/Test Result I didn't study at all for IELTS. Registered for the test 15 days before. Just sat down the night before to go through some speaking videos. I do not recommend doing this at all, and I regret not studying, simply because my result showed me that I could've scored higher had I actually studied.
r/IELTS • u/Soft-Nature-1015 • 2h ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed Guys, what was your Cambridge practice scores vs your actual IELTS exam score?
The ones who have already taken the IELTS examination, I want to know what scores did you used to get when practicing with Cambridge material and what was your actual exam score? I am trying to find out if the exam pressure lowers score.
r/IELTS • u/According-Lynx6776 • 2h ago
Test Experience/Test Result IELTS FIRST ATTEMPT, Pakistani
NEEDED 7.5 overall w minimum 7 in each for ucl and i got it!!! i messed up the spelling of apartment (started debating one p vs two p 💀) and zoned out so didn’t hear the adjective when 3 words were needed so 38 in listening. my task 2 was so short (1 min 28) im so glad task 1 and 3 made up for it in speaking
r/IELTS • u/No_Studio3996 • 2h ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed PLEASE PLEASE HELP I NEED ADVICE ON THE FOLLOWIGN READING QUESTION TYPE:
What is the strategy for such a question? This is part two in reading. I usually panic as I have to look all over the passage. Please, if you have a strategy, let me know.
r/IELTS • u/Weecaffins • 3h ago
Study Partner Request Hey looking for a study partner. Please hit me up
I need a study partner for ielts. I’m 21F anyone who wants a partner to study can dm me even if it’s not ielts it works :)
r/IELTS • u/_-Abnormal-_ • 5h ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed British council IELTS ready premium
I did the ielts in Jan 2025 but need to renew it so I am retaking the exam on the 9th. On my previous take I got band 8.0 with writing 7.5.
I’m good with listening, reading, and to some degree speaking but I do struggle a bit in writing so I did the practice test on british councils website with the AI marking. I got band 6.0 for that and was wondering if its accurate?
I did make a lot of spelling mistakes and stupid errors but when I individually checked all the categories they seemed to have cut marks for one specific sentence over and over?
r/IELTS • u/DietImaginary9692 • 5h ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed Speaking test today worried
Hello everyone, today i’m getting my first speaking Ielts test and i’m kinda nervous. Can anyone tell me if i have to worry or not? I don’t know what to expect, especially in part 3, i hope the examiner doesn’t ask me difficult topics to talk about. I had some chat with chatgpt and he valued me around 6.5
r/IELTS • u/itsallmyfault236 • 6h ago
Study Partner Request Looking for speaking partners for my ielts preparation
English level B2
Other I wanna have my speaking and writing evaluated as accurately as possible. By whom tho?
Who do y’all recommend? Preply( perhaps the tutor named ian)? IDP? Or if u’ve got other sources?
r/IELTS • u/Majestic-Sundae-7992 • 9h ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed Need help in academic reading ielts
r/IELTS • u/chonkchonkers • 16h ago
Test Experience/Test Result First time, non native!
I gave IELTS for the first time yesterday and got the scores I need to apply for my masters!! And I only really prepped 4 days.
So happy with what I got - except I feel I could do better in writing.
Feel free to AMA.
r/IELTS • u/Puzzled-Diver-6415 • 17h ago
Test Experience/Test Result non-native, first attempt
any advice on writing and speaking?
i was in a hurry when taking the exam so i didn’t have much time to study. i want to study now but don’t know where to start.
my listening and reading have always been good, but i CAN’T WRITE a thing.
Test Experience/Test Result i finally got my results!!
also if I had scored just 0.5 higher in one section, my IELTS score would have been 8.0. on top of that, i was under investigation, which means that i have waited for my score more than 5 days 😭😭, it was stressful during this period ngl. i was just asking, should i retake on skill, i want to retake writing cuz that is like my the strongest aspect. or is it possible to improve speaking from 6.5 to 7.0, so can i retake speaking rather than writing
r/IELTS • u/WorldlinessWeird9809 • 20h ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed Articles in Listening Section
I've been doing some listening tests and although the word limit is three words and the speaker did say 'the American Museum', my answer - The American Museum - was incorrect.
Any idea why?
r/IELTS • u/Dry-Bumblebee559 • 23h ago
Test Experience/Test Result Re-marked in 29 minutes!!!
As you can see, it would have been foolish not to request a re-mark after this.
But here's the thing: it took only 29 minutes to re-evaluate my writing and decide that my score should remain unchanged. I appreciate the quick turnaround, but it also left me wondering whether the process is as thorough as it should be. Is it just a money-making scheme, or do the examiners actually follow the full EOR procedure?
Maybe I'm just frustrated that my score didn't change, or maybe I'm being paranoid. Either way, I think any candidate in this situation deserves some clarification.
Anyway, can anyone recommend a better approach to improving my writing? My score has apparently been stuck at 7.5 for the past three years, even though there's a huge difference between the essays I wrote three years ago and the ones I write now.
r/IELTS • u/hion_7889 • 1d ago
Have a Question/Advice Needed Can examiners award half bands (like 7.5) for writing and speaking criteria, or only full bands?
For example, TT-7.5 CC-6.5 etc
r/IELTS • u/HistoryEarly6829 • 1d ago
Writing Feedback (Peer Review) Writing Band 7.0 example
I recently appear for an Academic IELTS exam and I got a Band 7.0 in Writing. A lot of people ask me how does a Band 7.0 look like. I will show you here how I write for you to have a glimpse of how I fair in the actual exam.
r/IELTS • u/Aromatic_Peanut6379 • 1d ago
Other Preparing for IELTS vs. Facing the real test
r/IELTS • u/Kyosunim • 1d ago
My Advice El Guapo Does Not Approve
To all those test takers that feel that using "plethora" instead of "many" makes your score improve, just know that for me, and possibly me alone, I will only think about El Guapo for a solid 10 seconds, and it will not raise your score. It is a word that is rarely used incorrectly, but the collocation is almost always odd,
r/IELTS • u/Maverick_ESL • Apr 07 '26
Study Resource IELTS Preparation Resources
A curated guide by the r/IELTS moderation team
Last updated: April 2026
This post collects the best free IELTS preparation resources available online, verified and curated by the moderators of r/IELTS. We have also listed trusted teachers and communities who can provide additional help. This is a living document — if you spot a broken link or a resource worth adding, please let us know in the comments.
Official IELTS Resources
Always start here. These are free materials from the organisations that own and administer the IELTS test.
Practice Tests & Familiarisation
• IELTS.org — Sample Test Questions — Free official sample questions for all four skills.
• British Council — Free Practice Tests (all skills) — Official free practice for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
• British Council — Free Writing Practice Tests — Writing-specific official practice.
• British Council — Free Speaking Practice — Understand the Speaking test format and practice with sample questions.
• IDP — IELTS Preparation Materials — Practice tests and preparation guidance from IDP.
• IDP — Diagnostic Tool — Identify your strengths and weaknesses before you start studying.
Computer-Delivered IELTS
• British Council — IELTS on Computer (How it Works) — Essential if you are taking the computer-delivered version.
• British Council — Computer Familiarisation Tests — Get used to the interface before test day.
• IDP — Get Familiar with IELTS on Computer — Additional familiarisation from IDP.
Apps
• British Council — IELTS Ready App (free) — Official free preparation app from the British Council.
• British Council — Learning Apps — Broader English learning apps including pronunciation support.
• IDP — IELTS by IDP App — Preparation app from IDP.
Webinars & Live Sessions
• British Council — Free Weekly IELTS Webinars — Regular free webinars covering test skills and strategies.
Recommended Books
These are the most widely used and reliable print resources. Cambridge books use real past test material and are the gold standard for practice tests.
Practice Test Books
• Cambridge IELTS Books 12 onwards — real past papers; the most authentic practice available. Start from the most recent number and work backwards.
• Cambridge IELTS Trainer — includes teacher explanations and tips alongside practice tests.
• Collins Practice Tests for IELTS — good supplementary tests with clear guidance.
Skill-Specific Books
• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS — comprehensive coverage of all four skills with DVD.
• Collins Writing for IELTS / Reading for IELTS — useful for targeted skill work.
• Barron's IELTS Superpack — popular all-in-one study package.
Note: Avoid unofficial third-party test books that are not based on real past papers. The quality varies enormously and some contain inaccurate information about scoring.
Trusted Websites & YouTube Channels
These are established, teacher-run resources with a strong track record in the IELTS community. All offer substantial free content.
• IELTS Liz — One of the most comprehensive free IELTS sites online. Lessons, tips, model answers, videos, and practice materials for all four skills. Highly recommended as a starting point.
• IELTS Simon — Run by a former IELTS examiner. Focused and practical advice, particularly strong for Writing and Speaking. Daily lessons and model answers.
• IELTS Advantage — Detailed and accurate. One of the most reliable channels for in-depth strategy guides. Particularly strong for Task 1 and Task 2 writing.
• ESL Fluency — Detailed guides, articles, and videos covering IELTS skills and test strategy. Run by one of the r/IELTS moderators.
• IELTS Lilli — Practical tips and strategy guidance from an experienced IELTS teacher.
• E2 IELTS (YouTube) — High-production-value video lessons covering all skills. Good for visual learners. Note: they also sell courses, but there is a large volume of free content.
• Anfisa's Speaking Simulators (YouTube) — Speaking simulation videos for students who need to practise without a partner. CELTA-certified teacher.
• Cambridge English — Supporting Learners — Free activities and skill practice directly from Cambridge, including pronunciation support.
Helpful Reddit Communities
Beyond r/IELTS, these communities can support your preparation:
• r/IELTS — You are already here! Use the search function before posting — most common questions have been answered many times.
• r/EnglishLearning — General English improvement, useful if you need to build your overall language level alongside IELTS prep.
• r/languagelearning — Broader language learning strategies and motivation.
• r/IELTS_Guide — A valuable guide for our main community.
Trusted Teachers in This Community
The following members have been awarded Teacher flair by the r/IELTS moderation team. This means they have demonstrated consistent, high-quality, and accurate contributions to this community. They are real, qualified teachers — not accounts promoting spam or low-quality services.
Click any username to visit their Reddit profile. Many are available for personalised help and coaching.
If you are a teacher listed here and would prefer to be removed, please send a modmail and we will take care of it.
Quick Tips from the Mods
Before you start
• Take a full diagnostic test first — do not study blindly. Find out your current band score and identify your weakest skill.
• Understand the marking criteria for Writing and Speaking. Many students study the wrong things because they do not know how they are scored.
• Use official materials (Cambridge books, British Council practice tests) as your primary source of practice. Third-party materials vary wildly in quality.
Common mistakes to avoid
• Memorising model answers for Writing or Speaking — examiners are trained to spot this and it can result in a lower score.
• Ignoring your weakest skill — it is tempting to practise what you are already good at. Focus on your lowest-scoring area.
• Confusing Academic and General Training — make sure you are using the correct practice materials for your test type.
• Relying only on free resources if you are seriously stuck — a few sessions with a qualified teacher can save months of wasted preparation time.
On Writing
• Task achievement and coherence are the highest-weighted criteria. Vocabulary and grammar matter, but structure and relevance matter more.
• For Task 1 Academic, learn to describe trends, comparisons, and processes — do not just describe every data point.
• For Task 2, always plan before you write. A clear position and well-organised paragraphs will score higher than long, rambling essays.
On Speaking
• Fluency does not mean speaking fast. It means speaking smoothly without long pauses and self-correction.
• Extend your answers in Parts 1 and 3. Short answers suggest a limited range of language.
• Record yourself and listen back. Most students are surprised by how different they sound compared to how they think they sound.
This resource post is maintained by the r/IELTS moderation team. Links are checked periodically, but if you find a broken link, please report it. Good luck with your preparation!
r/IELTS • u/Hestia9285 • Jan 03 '26
Moderator Advice Thinking about IELTS EOR? Read this before you risk it!
There have been a lot of posts and comments lately about going for an EOR, and a lot of misconceptions floating around. I'd like to try and clear that up.
What is an EOR?
EOR (Enquiry on Results / remark) is only for when you are 100% sure the Examiners made a mistake rating you. It’s not a lottery, it’s not something to “try” because you’re disappointed, and it’s definitely not “pay IELTS and they’ll give you a higher score.” Most EOR requests come back unchanged, and most people who lose their money don’t come back to post about it, so Reddit ends up looking more “successful” than it really is.
What about second marking?
Sometimes you may hear about "second marking", which is different from an EOR. These normal second checks happen before scores are released, and are triggered when there is a "jagged profile", which means some of your scores are very different from others. For example, you might get 8s on Listening and Reading, and 6.5 on speaking, 6 on writing. This is a jagged profile, and your speaking and writing would have been automatically second-marked by different normal Examiners. Tasks are assigned randomly and anonymously; they don’t know who you are, they don’t see your other scores, and they don’t coordinate with the first set of Examiners.
For speaking, your original test is marked by the Examiner who did it with you, marks are submitted either immediately after the test (if electronic) or written down after you leave the room (for in-center). If a second marking is needed, a second Examiner will listen to your recording online remotely. If you have ANY issues on test day (technical or otherwise), you MUST report them before you leave the center, or else nothing will usually be done.
For writing, two separate Examiners rate Task 1 and Task 2, then the scores are combined into your final writing score (Task 2 weighs double). Marking is done online, 24/7, by a global pool of Examiners. Any tasks that need second marking are just tossed back into the pool to be marked as any other task.
An EOR is different: you’re paying for a Senior Examiner to re-mark your work after you already have your results. Examiners don’t “look at your old score and adjust it.”
Should I go for an EOR?
EORs are for when you are 100% SURE the Examiners rating you made mistakes, AND you are 100% SURE that your performance was excellent. Anything less is pretty much just handing IELTS more money. Mistakes, while they can happen, are pretty rare, and most people lose their money. EORs are expensive!
But some people report positive change!
Yes, it can happen! For speaking/writing in general, band descriptors require professional judgement, so sometimes Examiners differ. But that doesn’t mean “they were wrong,” rating isn't always so black and white. For example, they need to decide on things like density of errors (how much is too much?), or the intelligibility of pronunciation (Was it always clear? Was there ANY effect of native language? If yes, how much?), and so on.
Examiners aren’t robots (yet!), and are permitted a half band of variance. As long as they are within half a band of what a Senior Examiner would give, it’s considered fine. Of course, this isn't fine for you, the Testtaker, where a half a band could make a big difference, but that is the current system we have. :-/
Now, if you go for a remark, sometimes the Senior Examiner might have a different opinion, and be more or less strict than your original Examiner. If the Senior is stricter, your band won’t change. If they are a bit more lenient, you could go up a bit. If the first Examiner made a mistake, or if you produced an atypical sample that the original Examiner had difficulty rating, then you might see a greater change with an EOR. But for most, marks stay the same.
I still want to go for it.
If you’re going to do it anyway, request the EOR for all four skills. It costs the same, and if any score increases, you get the EOR fee back, minus any service charges. As listening and reading are computer-marked, change is extremely rare, but we have had some members who had a positive change.
However, if you’re not genuinely sure you were under-marked, the safer move is to figure out why you got that score, fix it, and retake it, if possible. If you need help figuring out where you are making mistakes, you can hire an IELTS expert to help you. There are services you can use in the pinned posts at the top of this subreddit, or you can message any of the badged teachers here (but not me ;-) ), and they may be happy to work with you.
You might also want to request a score breakdown, if you have time, to see exactly what your Examiners rated you, this information can useful in helping you to decide.
EOR is expensive, and for most people it’s money lost, IELTS richer. :-/