Lindsay McMahon
"The English Adventurer"
Jessica Beck
"Director of IELTS Training"

Do you need to move your IELTS score from a 6 to a 7?

Last week we showed you how to move from a 5 to a 6 on Speaking.

Today let’s talk about how to move from a 6 to a 7.

It’s not an easy jump but with today’s episode you will get on the right track.

We’ll show you exactly how to spend your time to move your score up to a 7.

To make this jump you need to push yourself and do the right things when you prepare.

Remember, just listening to this episode will not increase your score.

Here is what you need to do:

#1) Fluency and coherence

To get a 7 you need to be flexible with your linking words and use the linking words correctly.

In Speaking Parts 2 and 3 use linking words to organize your ideas in your responses. In Speaking Part 1 you don’t need to use linking words because it’s more casual.

In Part 3 use more high-level linking words.

The other key is your ability to keep speaking. A “6” student will say “um,” “well” and will hesitate.

A “7” student has no problem continuing speaking.

This kind of student is confident and does not hesitate.

Get some speaking models and sample answers. Read them out loud in front of the mirror.

Get a native speaker to practice with. Work with an IELTS professional.

#2) Vocabulary

This is an easy way to push up your score.

You need flexible vocabulary. Use idioms, phrasal verbs, and expressions.

Check out our episodes on work idioms for IELTS Speaking, family idioms for the Speaking test and others.

However, remember that you need to practice these new vocabulary terms in real conversations and in your practice tests.

Be specific and use the right terms. Do not use general terms like “people” or “things.”

Make your vocabulary interesting and “native like” and you will be a “7” student in this category.

#3) Grammar

This is not a great area to focus on because it’s very hard to get a 7 on grammar.

To get a 7 you need to have mostly error-free sentences. It’s very hard to do this if you have a short amount of time to prepare.

Make sure you have a variety of sentence structures.

It takes years to make this jump so you might want to spend your time on other areas when it comes to the Speaking test.

Learn more about our IELTS grammar philosophy at All Ears English.

#4) Pronunciation

This is an easy way to increase your Speaking score.

This is fun to improve and it’s totally possible.

You can’t do it in a day or two but with a good study plan you can do it in a few months.

To get a 7 the examiner needs to understand you.

You can still have your accent but it shouldn’t affect the examiner’s comprehension.

If it’s easy to understand you then you will get a 7 for pronunciation.

The next thing is the intonation and stress.

Put emotion in your voice.

Tell stories in the Speaking test that you care about so that you will have feeling in your voice.

Check out this episode on How to Be a Drama King or Queen on the Speaking test.

Remember, these tips are just the starting point.

We are showing you what you need to focus on but now you need to get the daily study plan, do the practice exercises, and put in the time.

If you want more information on our course which contains all of these focus areas, check the video at the top of this page and get into our course for $1 for the first 3 days.

Let us know your questions in the comments.

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