How do you score 9 in IELTS?

It is absolutely true that nothing is impossible in this world. While preparing for IELTS exam, if you invest time along with right amount of dedication and practice, you can surely do well in your IELTS exam and can get the perfect IELTS band 9 that can help you in getting admission into a prestigious college or university located in an English native country.

A perfect score of 9 in the IELTS exam is a real dream which every test taker sees at a certain point. Therefore, candidates belonging to the non-English speaking nation, scoring 9 in IELTS might be a little bit difficult but not impossible at all. In this article, we are discussing some of the useful preparation tips for IELTS to score 9. It will help you in studying or working in the countries where English is used as a major language for communication.

What is considered a good IELTS score?

If an individual scores 9 it means he or she has fluency like native speaker in producing language and understanding it. Scoring 1 is not considered to study or work abroad. The test taker scoring 1 means that he/she knows only a few words and phrases in English.

The chance of getting a high score is quite unpredictable; actually it is based on the individual’s current level of English proficiency, hard work, focus, and dedication.

• Those who currently have a high level of English proficiency (Band 6.0 - 6.5), need focus on the learning skills using some of the best techniques, tips and apply the same to get the score. The candidates can learn some IELTS preparation tips regarding maximizing the score. Also, referring to the academic books is a great idea to lower the gap between the scores achieved and target IELTS score.
• Candidates need to focus on the parameters that need more attention, for instance, in your case IELTS Reading score is 5.5 while other skills are over 6.0, then you need to improve your reading skills by referring to the best available books.
• Don’t feel shy with your own style of pronunciation; rather look for ways to improve it. If you are preparing for the test by yourself, then you can take the help of a senior or anyone at home who might have given the test earlier or you can seek help from professors in your college.

Some useful IELTS preparation tips for scoring 9

To score 9 in an individual module, IELTS test-takers need to show their proficiency in each respective area, so that they can get the desired expected results.

Focus on IELTS Speaking skills

Speaking is sometimes a hard task but what makes an actual difference is to speak in your non-native language. Regularly, most of us might communicate in our respective languages but at the time of the interview with the pro expert evaluator. In IELTS Speaking one needs to show abilities in English so that it can make an everlasting impression on him/her. 

Be your own judge

Nobody can help in a better way than the way you can help yourself. In this modern world, take the benefit of technology which has gifted you recorders and smartphones and use it to listen to your recorded voice and pen down the points of improvement in your speaking skills. When you will listen to your recorded voice, you can be able to judge and rectify those two grounds that need improvement including pronunciation and other errors.

Start watching English TV Shows

More you listen to English as a language, the better your performance will be during the exam. Watching English TV shows and movies are yet another important way to witness significant improvement in IELTS exam. You can watch many great English shows that will be entertaining and will help in improving your English language as well; try to follow the way they talk, their accents, and pronunciation as well.

Don’t try to finish quickly

You might feel exhausted by speaking for almost 15 minutes in a non-native language but this is the only way that can help you in achieving your goals. Don’t try to complete your studies at the earliest, as this is the only way you can hit the goal and win the match. It is important that you must answer all the questions rather than cutting it, in short, to end the studies at the earliest.

Listen to more sample recordings to boost IELTS Listening skills

You need to listen carefully to what is being said during the recording in the IELTS test as you don’t get a chance to listen to the conversation again in the test. The audio is mostly recorded with a native English speaker therefore you have to listen with concentration. One of the biggest drawbacks of the IELTS Listening test is that you test takers get one chance only to hear the recording. The more you listen to the sample recordings, the better you will be able to enhance your listening skills.

Pay detailed attention to spellings

Since the Australian and British accents are quite different from the normal English which we have learned to speak. The only way through which you can overcome your fear is by hearing more sample recordings that will make you familiar with the language before giving IELTS test. Also while listening to the sample recordings, you must use a pencil to write down important notes. You should give more attention to the spellings. During IELTS exam, you will be asked to write down all your answers in the answer sheet using a pencil and not a pen.

While Reading, focus on the details

You might assume that reading English is not that difficult task, but actually, it’s not and you need high reading and good observation skills to read the language like a pro. Preparation tips to score 9 in IELTS is to focus on each little detail which will eventually help you to boost your observation skills.

Spare some time effectively to read the instructions carefully

This is yet another important preparation tip that can help you in scoring well in the IELTS exam; try to give each and every question an equal and reasonable time by reading between the lines. In case you have spent more time on reading some questions, then it might give you less time for other questions which can make the situation more stressful for you. So try to utilize your time effectively so that you can attempt all the questions asked in the exam and before proceeding further, try to read instructions carefully. You need to read each and every stated instruction carefully so that you can maximize your chances of scoring high.

Read everything asked in the exam

In IELTS writing section, you will get 60 minutes to express yourself which might seem less time, but this is something where you need to make a difference. By reading English newspapers or novels, you will eventually be able to broaden your horizon. The more you practice, the better you will be able to boost your reading skills, practice will not only to boost your reading skills but also helps attempt all the four IELTS modules.

Some other useful tips

• In case you currently have a high level of English proficiency and you just need to learn and accumulate some more techniques and preparation tips then start practicing those skills and techniques to score high in the exam. You can easily download IELTS sample papers online to practice at home.
• In case you are worse at one IELTS skill as compared to other modules, then you need to focus more on it. For instance, your IELTS Reading score is 5.5 while other skills are more than 6.0, then you need to improve your reading skills and can buy the best books that can help in your reading skills.
• IELTS test takers are advised to learn at least 10 English Collocations and New Words each day on some of the most common topics in IELTS (which include technology, education, health, media, and world economy among others) so that you can enhance in learning new vocabulary
• To improve general level of English proficiency, you must get involved in practicing English for a minimum of 6 hours a day. Start writing and speaking in English as much as possible.

What are the IELTS scores needed in Canada?

The top renowned universities based in Canada require the below IELTS score for the international applicants:

• University of Toronto: International students need to have an overall band score of 6.5, with at least a score of 6 in each exam section.
• University of British Columbia: 6.5, with a minimum score of 6 in every exam section.
• McGill University: Overall score of 6.5, with no minimum score required in each section.

IELTS scores required in USA

• California Institute of Technology: Overall score of 7
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): 7 although this can differ between departments.
• Harvard: 7.5 with a score of 7.5 or above in each band score.

Along with applying at the top universities of USA and Canada, the individuals need to confirm the specific entry requirements for the university and program in which they are applying.

Above-mentioned preparation tips can help you in doing well in the IELTS exam and by adhering to the above-mentioned tips and suggestions, you can easily score high in the IELTS. It is useless and pointless to aim for a band of 9; rather your focus should be incremental improvement in your performance and use of the English language daily. Language is not an exact science that you learn and understand instantly; rather you need to invest your time and efforts understanding the language. You might not get an IELTS band of '7 each' but getting an overall IELTS band of '7’ is not that a daunting task. With the same kind of dedication and efforts, you soon will be able to get an overall IELTS band of 9, if you are ready serious about the test and have good mentors, tutors who can guide you in the right way.