How to Get Band 8 in Each Section of the IELTS Test?

Wish to score a band 8 in each section of the IELTS test? This article will provide you with efficient strategies and tips to score IELTS band 8 in each section. A band 8 in the IELTS score is considered excellent; Therefore to achieve that candidates must focus on improving their language skills and enhancing their strategies to crack the exam.

Enhancing your vocabulary and practicing paraphrasing techniques are crucial factors to excelling in this exam and scoring band 8 in all sections. Each section of the IELTS test requires a specific set of skills and practicing those skills will help you in getting your dream score. Go through this article for important tips and hacks to get a Band 8 score! you must understand.

You must aim to score 89% in the IELTS reading and listening section to score IELTS band 8. Before moving on to the guidelines and tips to score IELTS band 8, you must understand the structure and pattern of the test, which is given below in the table:

Also Read: IELTS Band Descriptors: Know the Band Description of All Sections

You will need to answer 40 questions based on the audio clips that will be played for you. Your ability to identify the main purpose and understand these clips will be evaluated. Tips to improve your performance in the IELTS listening test are given below:

1. Improve your vocabulary

Read newspapers, magazines and books to learn new words and phrases and enhance your vocabulary. Always write down any unique terms you hear, as this will help you remember them throughout the exam.

2. Improve your listening skills

It is important that you concentrate on understanding the main purpose of the audios during the listening test. To score better, jot down the main ideas and any information you think is relevant. Write a basic summary based on your notes, requested in the question. Improve your listening skills by listening to podcasts regularly as this will give you an idea of how to understand spoken words better.

3. Focus on the flow and signal words

Pay more attention to the words in the audio you hear that imply particular characterizations, Introductions, key stages, thoughts, and conclusions. Be on a lookout for keywords and emphasize them in your answers to get a better score.

There will be 40 questions in the IELTS reading section. The question types can vary from match the following, MCQ’s, True/False/Not Given, to sentence completion questions. Given below are some tips to help improve your score in the IELTS reading section:

1. Improve your reading speed

As time management is a crucial aspect of this test, you should aim to practice reading quickly and finding the answers to the question to complete tasks on time.

2. Find keywords

Every question contains a set of keywords that lead to the answers. Try and remember where these keywords are located in the given passage to give precise answers. You can also use paraphrasing to figure out how strong the keywords are.

3. Skim and scan the passage

Skimming refers to quickly reading the whole text in 3-4 minutes and highlight the keywords and relevant parts while doing so. Scanning means identifying any information rapidly, usually, without understanding the whole passage. Skimming and scanning are skills that will help you go through the passage quickly, identify important information and accurately answer questions.

4. Always pay attention to grammar

Grammar will help you identify the correct answers in a short amount of time. Often candidates struggle to pinpoint the answer due to not having good grammar skills. Therefore it is important that grammatical precision is focused on.

Fluency and comprehension are important skills for the IELTS writing section. Your vocabulary, grammar and how well you are able to form sentences, will determine your score. Given below are some tips to help you score better in the writing section:

1. Cohesion and Coherence

Examiners usually look for easy to read answers and you should be able to do that. Try and use less common connectors to make your answers stand out and captivate the attention of the examiner. Your unique responses can become one of the most important factors in your overall test score improvement.

2. Stay within the word count

For international students, writing descriptive yet concise answers within word count can be challenging but it is crucial to score well in the written test. Writing long answers to questions with small word count will not only waste your time, but also affect your scores, therefore make sure you stick to the word count.

3. Improve your vocabulary

If you want to score a band 8 in the IELTS exam, then expanding your vocabulary’s will definitely help you a lot. Try and use new words to showcase your English skills, but make sure they fit the context correctly. However do not try to tweak any word even if it does not fit the sentence.

4. Write original answers

Do not write your answers by copying the question and try not to force words into sentences where they don’t belong. Stay true to the meaning and context of the question and answer in your own words.

The IELTS speaking test will mark how well you are able to do daily conversations. An examiner will converse with you and test the extent of vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency and accuracy. Given below are some helpful tips to score well in the speaking test:

1. Do not stress much over your accent

Do not worry much about your accent as a non native English speaker, as the examiner will understand. If your pronunciation and communication skills are good, your accent will not affect your overall score.

2. Avoid using fillers

Try to speak confidently. Avoid using fillers like “um” while speaking, as the examiner may think you lack the necessary language skills. Try and use idioms and phrases to make a good impression on the examiner and score well.

3. Use a variety of speaking styles

Avoid being monotonous with your pronunciation of words. Try and use modulate your voice and emphasize on keywords. This will definitely help you create a lasting impact on the examiner’s mind.

Related Articles:

• IELTS Average Score: Across Worldwide and India
• Section-wise IELTS Exam Paper Pattern, Question Types
• How to prepare for IELTS?
• IELTS Exam Syllabus 2024 (Section-Wise)

Achieving a band 8 in each section of the IELTS test requires patience, dedicated practice, and effective test strategies. It will really help your score if you focus on grammar skills, read diligently, listen to podcasts regularly and practice for tests with a timer. With the right mindset and attitude, you can increase your chances of achieving a band 8 on each section of the IELTS test. Remember to be patient because excellent scores can only be achieved with long term efforts.

What are the benefits of getting 8 bands in IELTS?

Getting a high score in IELTS (Band 8 or Band 9) can benefit you in various ways. It can increase your chances of getting admission to top universities, improve your prospects for job opportunities abroad, enhance your visa application process, and give you an advantage in scholarship applications.

How to get each band 8 in IELTS?

In order to get 8+ band score in IELTS test, one should get 89% of the marks. IELTS reading and listening tests have 40 questions, in which 36 questions should be answered each in order to get an 8 band score.

Will I get scholarship if I get Band 8 in IELTS?

Generally, a candidate is required to score 6.5 on the band scale. Any score higher than 6.5 only increases your chances of selection for the IELTS scholarship by the British Council.

In the IELTS reading test, how many reading passages are there?

There are three reading passages for the academic paper and three passages for the general training paper in the IELTS reading test.

How many components does the IELTS speaking test have on average?

The IELTS speaking test consists of three parts: Part 1 is a question-and-answer round; Part 2 is a conversation round, and Part 3 is based on onboard concerns.