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Mastering IELTS as a Nigerian: Tips, Strategies, and How It’s Scored

Let's Japa Team | February 16, 2025

💡 Did You Know?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most trusted exams for academic and immigration purposes. Understanding how the test is graded and preparing strategically can make a huge difference in your score. In this blog, we break down the grading criteria and share valuable tips to help you excel in each section

Preparing for the IELTS can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can boost your performance and achieve your target band score. Below, we explore each section of the test along with practical tips to help you succeed.

1. Reading

In the Reading section, you’ll be tested on your ability to comprehend written texts and answer related questions accurately. Here are some strategies to improve your score:

Practice Regularly:
Read a variety of materials—newspapers, magazines, academic journals—to build speed and accuracy in understanding main ideas, details, and keywords.
Skim & Scan:
Quickly skim the text to grasp the overall meaning, then scan for specific keywords or details when answering questions.
Manage Your Time:
Practice under timed conditions so you can gauge the pace required to complete all passages without leaving questions unanswered.

2. Writing

The Writing section assesses your ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively while demonstrating strong grammar and vocabulary. Consider these tips:

Plan Before You Write:
Spend a few minutes brainstorming and outlining your essay. This helps structure your response logically and ensures your ideas flow smoothly.
Familiarize Yourself with Different Essay Types:
Whether it’s an opinion, argumentative, or discursive essay, practice organizing your thoughts for each type.
Focus on Language:
Work on accuracy in grammar and sentence structure. Expanding your vocabulary through reading and practice can enhance your writing style.

3. Speaking

The Speaking section is a face-to-face interview that evaluates your spoken English skills. Boost your confidence and score with these techniques:

Speak Fluently:
Practice speaking English daily—engage in conversations, join language exchange groups, or practice with native speakers.
Use a Variety of Vocabulary & Grammar:
Avoid repetitive language by incorporating synonyms and different sentence structures in your responses.
Prepare for Common Topics:
Familiarize yourself with frequently discussed themes such as hobbies, family, education, and work. Practice responding to typical questions to build coherence and fluency.

4. Listening

The Listening section tests your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts. Here are some tips to help you excel:

Diversify Your Listening Sources:
Listen to different accents and speeds through movies, TV shows, documentaries, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Improve Your Note-Taking:
Develop shorthand techniques using abbreviations and symbols to capture key points while listening.
Focus on Context:
Pay attention to the speaker’s tone, context, and intent. This can help you anticipate information and understand nuances beyond the words.

Finally, How Is IELTS Scored?

On test day, each section—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—is assigned a band score from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). The overall band score is reported in whole or half bands (e.g., 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5).

Below is a table outlining the IELTS band descriptors:

Point	Level	Description
9	Expert user	Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8	Very good user	Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriateness. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex, detailed argumentation well.
7	Good user	Has operational command of the language, although with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6	Competent user	Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5	Modest user	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, although is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4	Limited user	Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3	Extremely limited user	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2	Intermittent limited user	No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1	Non-user	Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0	Did not attempt the test	No assessable information provided

Remember, consistent practice and focused preparation are key to achieving a high band score in IELTS. By understanding the grading criteria and using these targeted strategies, you can confidently approach the test and showcase your English proficiency.

Use our resource hub for free IELTS study material for reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Best of luck on your IELTS test!