How to Get 8 Bands in the IELTS Test in Each Section?

Achieving a band 8 in IELTS Academic or General has never been easy. Students in IELTS academics and working professionals in IELTS general have to attempt the IELTS strategically to gain a band 8 and fulfil their dream of settling abroad. Band 8 in IELTS means that the English language proficiency of a person is at an advanced proficiency level to communicate with native English people or understand the requirements of native English people. How to get a band 8 in IELTS in one month can be answered and achieved by the student attempting the exam if the exam is given strategically.

This Story also Contains

1. 8 Bands in the IELTS Test - Introduction
2. Understanding the IELTS Test Format
3. Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Listening
4. Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Reading
5. Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Writing
6. Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Speaking
7. General Preparation Tips for All Sections
8. Conclusion

8 Bands in the IELTS Test - Introduction

Achieving a band 8 in IELTS demonstrates a candidate's level of language competency and helps boost confidence in settling abroad. Candidates with advanced-level English language skills can sustain themselves much better than those struggling to understand or communicate well in English.

What Does Band 8 in IELTS Mean?

• A person with band 8 will have full command over the language with rare inaccuracies.

• A person with band 8 can easily handle detailed argumentation.

• The candidate with band 8 is easily able to communicate and is accepted by top universities as well as preferred for high-ranking jobs.

Why Aim for Band 8 in Each Section?

• Showcase excellent English language skills

• Increased chances of getting higher points for immigration, and also the selection of the best universities.

• Boosts confidence and minimises the efforts of re-taking the exam.

Understanding the IELTS Test Format

How to get a band 8 in IELTS will be answered quickly if the students have a proper understanding of the exam structure and its requirements. Students or working professionals attempting the IELTS should know the different modules the exam is divided into and the mode of its delivery. IELTS can be attempted as both a pen-and-paper-based offline exam and a computer-based online exam. Depending on their comfort, individuals are free to select either online or offline ways of attempting the IELTS. Also, there is neither a difference in the format of the exam nor a change in the evaluation criteria.

1. Overview of the Four Sections

The IELTS is divided into four modules with differences in time duration and the number and types of questions asked. Students thinking about how to get a band 8 in IELTS must understand the format of the exam as an initial step.

2. Scoring Criteria for Band 8

How to get band 8 in IELTS can be achieved easily if the students attempting the exam know the way it is evaluated and the way their language will be judged.

3. Common Myths About Scoring High

As students start preparing for the IELTS exam and start interacting with many aspiring and preparing students, they also indulge themselves in believing certain myths about the IELTS exam. Listed below are some of the myths; you should always refrain from believing them.

• Attempting the IELTS exam at a rural location may give a high band score.

• Only native English speakers score bands 8 and 9

• Use of British English and not American English

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Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Listening

Scoring band 8 in listening is often thought to be easy. However, it requires consistent attention and focus on what is being spoken and what is being questioned in the question paper. How to score band 8 in IELTS in one month is achievable if the student is focused and has consistently practiced.

1. Understand the Question Types

The IELTS listening module is divided into four sections and has to be attempted for a duration of 30 minutes. Each section has different types of questions and has to be dealt with by following smart strategies and focused attention on the listening audio that is played. The types of questions asked in the listening section are as follows:

• Multiple choice

• Matching

• Plan/map/diagram labelling

• Form, note, table, flow chart completion

• Sentence completion

• Short-answer questions

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IELTS Listening Preparation

2. Improve Your Listening Accuracy and Speed

Achieving a band 8 in the IELTS can be a relatively straightforward task if students concentrate and practice listening to native English speakers. Some of the best platforms to improve your listening skills can be found by listening to audio at:

• Listen to authenticated IELTS podcasts, TED talks, and English News channels

• Listen to different accents of native English speakers and try to identify the synonyms and paraphrased ideas.

3. Practice with Authentic Materials

How to get a band 8 in IELTS if students just use any random material and practice their listening skills? Well, that is not possible, so the usage of authenticated material will help in better performance and avoid any waste of time. Some of the preferred resources are as follows:

• Cambridge IELTS practice books: consider all the series

• Burlington IELTS practice books and Online portals.

• Consider listening to authenticated native English podcasts and developing the required attention by penning the difficult words and main points.

4. Tips for Time Management During the Listening Test

To gain Band 8 and above in the listening section of the IELTS exam, students need to manage time efficiently and remember that the audio is not going to be repeated for them. Some of the basic and most effective time management tips for listening are:

• Use the 30 seconds given to read the questions effectively

• Highlight the keywords in the question, and as the audio starts, listen attentively till the end.

• Remember that the answers will follow the sequence.

• Practice under timed conditions.

Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Reading

Band 8 in IELTS reading is not easy; however, if effective strategies are followed by consistent practice and become a routine, nothing is difficult. Both Academic and General IELTS reading have 3 sections and 40 questions to attempt overall; the basic difference is explained below:

1. Skimming and Scanning Techniques

Skimming and scanning will help you score the most accurate answers; however, this technique, although being most famous, does not help many students as they fail to follow it in the right way or are not able to retain the scanned words and information. One of the best ways to raise your scores in IELTS reading is to follow the Annotation technique:

• Read the instructions carefully

• Read the question statement and understand what it is asking.

• Start reading the passage and highlight the nouns, numbers, and their description to reach the most accurate answers.

2. Handling Different Question Types Effectively

IELTS reading has a different set of questions, and each question type has to be attempted following different tips and strategies of IELTS reading. Some of the different types of IELTS reading questions are as follows, and each question type should be practiced logically.

• Completion type of questions: use contextual clues to reach the exact answer.

• True / False / Not given or Yes /No/ Not given: Match the exact meaning of the question statement to the information given in the passage.

• Matching type of questions: Focus on the main idea of the paragraph.
  
  

3. Building Vocabulary for Reading Success

IELTS reading practice will give students an immense chance to enhance their English vocabulary. Some of the perfect resources to practice apart from the Cambridge or Burlington series of books is to expose yourself to reading a lot of different topics published and written by native English people. Other strategies for developing English Vocabulary to gain 8 bands in IELTS reading are as follows:

• Make a vocabulary journal and note all new words in it.

• Make sentences with the new words you have learned.

• Start using the words in your daily language.

4. Practice Under Timed Conditions

Practicing under timed conditions is mandatory as students have to manage time for attempting 40 questions while reading all the long passages and understanding them. The ideal time to attempt each question should not be more than a minute. Effective time management per section will be like:

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IELTS Reading Preparation

Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Writing

How to get 8 bands in IELTS writing is the most researched question, as it is very difficult for non-native English language users to score so high. However, if strategic and formal writing styles are followed with consistent effort, there is are high chance of securing band 8 or even more.

1. Understand the Assessment Criteria

Depending on the version of IELTS: Academic or General, students should understand the assessment criteria and practice writing techniques, keeping them in mind.

The basic criteria to understand are:

• Task response/ task Achievement

• Coherence and Cohesion

• Grammar range and accuracy

• Lexical resources

2. Structure for Task 1 and Task 2

IELTS writing tasks have to be structured properly to score high bands. Practice the below-mentioned structure and get your writing evaluated regularly to enhance your skills.

3. Use of Formal Language and Complex Sentences

Some of the basic tips to score a band 8 in IELTS writing are as follows:

• Use of accurate transitional words and linking words

• Avoid contractive words

• Use complex and compound sentences
  
  

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing

Some of the common mistakes to avoid in IELTS writing are as follows:

• Using simple vocabulary

• Major grammar errors in subject-verb agreement

• Mentioning off-topic statements

5. Practice and Feedback: Keys to Improvement

Scoring Band 8 in writing is possible with consistent effort and the right mentoring. Students should not shy away from seeking help from IELTS expert trainers and getting their writing work evaluated regularly. Evaluation of the IELTS writing tasks will help students gain and work on any conceptual knowledge required. It will help in the development of the accepted academic style of writing, expressing thoughts and making reports.

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IELTS Writing Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 2

Strategies to Get Band 8 in IELTS Speaking

Securing Band 8 in IELTS speaking is easy if students practice well on various topics and have a natural ability to express ideas and thoughts.

1. Know the Format of the Speaking Test

The speaking section of the IELTS exam is a 1-1 exam conducted by the official IELTS body, either in-person or online on a video call, as selected by the student at the time of enrollment.

IELTS speaking is conducted for 15 minutes and is divided into three sections. This is the same for both General and Academic IELTS.

2. Speak Fluently and Coherently

To score band 8, the student attempting the IELTS should have never flow of language and should not fumble or hesitate in sharing ideas or speaking at length on the given topic. Speaking fluently does not mean that you speak at a speed with no relevance. Fluently and coherently specifies being on the topic and maintaining the natural pace of language without using fillers.

To develop fluency, students should develop vocabulary on various contextual topics.

3. Use a Range of Vocabulary and Grammar Structures

You will be able to prove fluency and coherence when you have mindful ideas and thoughts on various topics. Maintaining a journal to keep a record of all new vocabulary words and practicing the words using various techniques can be of immense help in retaining all the new words acquired. While you practice constructing sentences on the new vocabulary, also be mindful of the grammar structures that can be used. Gaining conceptual accuracy in forming accurate grammar structures can lead students to score above band 8 in the IELTS speaking section.

4. Practice with a Partner or Record Yourself

One of the best tips for scoring high bands in IELTS speaking is practicing with a speaking partner, or an even better way is to use the recording option available on your device. After recording your voice speaking on the cue card, listen to it. You will surely be able to identify your mistakes and avoid them in the future.

5. Tips to Stay Calm and Confident

Do not panic, especially if you are not able to expand on the given topic or feel you do not know about the given topic. The best way is to express that you do not have much awareness about the topic and just expand on what you feel and have in mind at that time.

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IELTS Speaking Preparation

General Preparation Tips for All Sections

Some of the general tips for scoring Band 8 in IELTS are as follows:

1. Set a Study Plan and Stick to It

From acknowledging the format of the IELTS to understanding the strategies to attempt different types of questions in the IELTS, students need to maintain consistency in practice. Consistency can be maintained only by following a perfect study schedule that has a distribution of various sections that need practice. The study plan should also be modulated to meet the urgent recoveries that should be made to score high.

2. Take Mock Tests Regularly

Attempting the IELTS mock test regularly will help in analyzing the current band score and the need for improvement required to reach the targeted score. Also, this will help students experience a real exam feeling and be able to manage time wisely.

3. Get Professional Guidance If Needed

If you feel you are stuck, do not be hesitant or shy in reaching out to an IELTS expert trainer, as they will be able to help you overcome your weaknesses and give you strong strategies that will help you boost your IELTS band score.

Also Read:

• Common Mistakes in IELTS

• IELTS Writing Band Descriptors

• IELTS Test Day Tips

Conclusion

To achieve success in acquiring admission to your dream university or settling abroad for a work visa or permanent residency, the road starts with scoring a high band score in IELTS. Students must not be overconfident about language skills and must work with consistency to reach this level.

1. Final Thoughts on Scoring Band 8

Some of the final tips to score band 8 and above in IELTS are as follows:

• Check and decide your target score.

• Practice from authenticated IELTS material only.

• Do not hesitate to seek help from IELTS expert trainers

• Do not cram or learn cue cards

• Gain accuracy in achieving Task response, Grammar range, vocabulary, and maintaining coherence and cohesion.

2. Motivation and Consistency Are Key

If you wish to live high high-standard life and come out of the normal life you are living, scoring high in IELTS is mandatory. Get up and pledge to maintain consistency in gaining language skills, and start your journey.

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal: She is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalized instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.