Should you memorize answers to common IELTS Speaking test questions or Writing questions?
So many students spend time doing this but does it really work?
Today you’ll find out if there’s a shortcut to memorizing IELTS answers.
You’ll get top advice from a former IELTS Examiner who has graded hundreds of Speaking and Writing tests for 14 years.
Don’t forget to get your estimated target score. Answer 7 quick questions and get an immediate estimated score. Go here to take the quiz now.
Watch the video now with former IELTS Examiner Jessica Beck.
Thank you to subscriber Harman Mahil for asking about this topic.
The question was, “How are examiners trained to spot memorized answers?”
First of all, am I even qualified to answer this question?
Yes, I am, because I was an IELTS Examiner for 14 years.
As far as Speaking goes, you have no idea what all of the questions are that will be on your exam.
There are thousands of possibilities!
Thus, it’s impossible to memorize thousands of answers.
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Should you memorize Speaking answers?
It’s impossible to memorize answers to every possible IELTS Speaking question. There are too many of them.
What if, though, you memorize answers to some common questions, and the examiner actually asks you those. Then, those answers are a 9.
However, the examiner doesn’t just grade you on a couple answers.
She/he listens to everything you say, on the whole test. So, your other answers will obviously not be a perfect 9, and the Examiner will know your true level.
What about Writing answers?
As to Writing, again, there are thousands of possible questions.
Sure, there might be some standard topics, like education, or the environment, but there are a multitude of variations on those topics as well.
So, again, you cannot memorize all the possible essays you’d have to write.
What happens if you memorize an answer?
On test day, if you copy out a memorized essay, it almost certainly will not be answering that specific question. You might not even look closely at the question.
What if you get lucky, and the question is exactly for an essay you’ve memorized? Then you get a 9 for Writing Task 2.
However, your other IELTS scores will show your true level, maybe a 6 (or lower, since you spent time memorizing essays and not actually studying for IELTS).
Then, that 9 is marked for review, and you are found out.
Don’t memorize sample answers!
Thank you subscriber Asad Oripov for asking today’s question.
This subscriber wondered if he should use the sample IELTS Speaking answers provided on many apps, in books, and online.
First of all, never memorize answers and then use them on the test.
These are not your ideas- they don’t reflect your life, your experience, your country, or your culture.
Thus, they are not natural or ‘appropriate’, which your answers must be if you want a 7+ on IELTS Speaking.
If you use answers that aren’t yours, it will directly affect your Fluency and Coherence, Vocabulary and Pronunciation scores.
You can, however, use other people’s sample answers to learn the variety of ideas and examples that are possible to give on the Exam.
You can also pick up new and interesting vocabulary, and mimic natives to improve your pronunciation.
In short, learn FROM sample answers, but do not memorize them.
Watch the video now!
What should you do instead of memorizing?
Don’t memorize answers. Don’t waste your time trying to remember answers to common questions.
Instead of trying to take shortcuts that never work, put in the effort to actually improve your English, and practice the IELTS strategies.
That is the only thing that will get you the high score you need on all questions and all sections of the test.
Takeaway
Want to pass IELTS?
Set your goal and target score, get an organized study plan, put in the time, and make it happen.
Don’t try to take shortcuts and cut corners. It will never help you succeed.
In our online IELTS course, 3 Keys IELTS, we give you all the strategies and practice you need to score highly on all parts of the IELTS exam.
What questions do you have from today’s video lesson?
Let us know in the comments below.
