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This post comes from a question we were asked about doing an IELTS preparation course.  They said that they had joined a 3-month IELTS preparation course in India to get Band 7.  They got band 6 after 3 months preparation.  They did a Full IELTS writing with us and we showed them why their writing was Band 6.0 and what they needed to do to get higher marks.

The biggest problem that this person faces is that their English level is not high enough and it doesn’t matter how many IELTS preparation courses they do, they won’t get to Band 7.0.  This is due to a big misunderstanding that lots of people have about IELTS.  There are no shortcuts with IELTS, no hacks, no tricks, no cracks.  It is an in-depth reading of your English level.  If your English is advanced then you will get Band 7+.  If your English is intermediate, then you will get Band 5.0 – 6.5.

So, if you do IELTS and get band 6.0 overall then you need to go back to studying General English, not an IELTS preparation course or IELTS practice test after practice test.  You need to raise your overall English level.

What can we do here at upmyielts.com? 

Let’s say you do the IELTS exam and get 6.5 in IELTS writing.  You have no idea why you got 6.5.  It could be

• you aren’t answering the question in enough detail
• you aren’t supporting your ideas
• your supporting examples are too vague
• your use of grammar is not accurate enough
• you make mistakes with linking words

There are too many variables.  This is where we can help you.  If you do an essay with us, we can show you exactly what is stopping you from getting to Band 7.0.  We can show you exactly what you need to do to get to Band 7.0.

What we find is that people are making mistakes that they don’t even know they are making. When we highlight these problems, it is a real wake-up call.

Now, you can finally start working on improving this aspect of your writing. 

Now, you actually know what the problem is. 

Now, you can start realistically aiming for Band 7.0. 

Whatever you do though, do not book another IELTS exam until you know what the problem is.  This process is exactly the same for speaking.

If you want your IELTS writing evaluated by an IELTS writing examiner you can book a full writing test here.

If you want to do an IELTS speaking test with an IELTS speaking examiner, then you can book one here.  Have a look at the example report on the page to see the level of detail in the report.