Got 8.5 on my first attempt as a non-native speaker
I will certainly try to keep it short, but I do apologize in advance if I fall.... short in this regard. Okay, I would’ve seen myself out, but it’s not every day you get an 8.5. I will post four separate comments that go into detail for each module, so you’re welcome to reply if you’d like more assistance.
Personally, I did most of my preparation through IELTS Advantage, so I’d recommend checking them out. I found their free guides quite helpful.
Listening: Part 1 is usually easy, and the same was the case here. For Part 2, it was a toss-up as there was a map and a match-the-columns quiz, with the map being something I was hoping to avoid thanks to my unfamiliarity with compass directions. Thankfully, there was a small compass in the top right corner of the illustration, and it came in handy whenever I wanted to confirm whether my intuition was accurate.
Parts 3 and 4: Now, these parts are the most difficult of the lot. I'd strongly advise against relying on hearing keywords as they were misleading at times. Knowledge of synonyms proved to be crucial in Part 4, and in general, you will find that they play an important role across all four modules of the IELTS exam.
Reading: I generally tried to skim where I could and spent some time scanning carefully when I was confused about an answer. I tried to complete it within 35-40 minutes, knowing I may have marked some answers incorrectly. I then had enough time to recheck every answer carefully and indeed found a few incorrect upon revisiting. Having struggled with T/F/NG during preparation, I wasn't thrilled to find two variations of it on the exam and I strongly suspect they’re the reason why I didn’t get a band 9.
Writing: I skipped task 1 and went straight to task 2.
Question: Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Planning: I spent 5-7 minutes planning out the essay. I outlined the major details for both sides alongside relevant examples. Having a base on which you’ll build your essay is fundamental in my view.
I wrote 281 words, and it was done with 25 minutes left on the clock. I went back to task 1 without revising because the sneak peek I had of it made it obvious it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, and because my brain just blanks out if I try to revise something I just got done with. If you’re someone like me, I’d recommend doing the same.
Due to the complexity of the line graph, I had to write 220-230 words for task 1 and was even stuck on coming up with a good summary for it. Thankfully, I managed in time and still had 3-4 minutes left to revisit the second task. I made a few improvements which weren’t necessarily about grammar but about ensuring that the essay would flow smoothly without any hiccups.
Speaking: Honestly? I was so fixated on treating the examiner like a friend that I had almost forgotten it was an exam. I had a great time conversing with them, and even though there were minor hiccups like me being unable to recall the word ‘volatile’ and having to settle for ‘highly unstable’, it went well all things considered.