English · Exam preparation
An ielts preparation online tutor who marks to the band descriptors
Most candidates stuck at 6.5 do not have a vocabulary problem. They have a specific band descriptor problem, and it is usually coherence or task response.
- British Council & IDP
- CEFR B2
Who this is for
Is this the right course for you?
University applicants, skilled-visa candidates, and anyone who has sat IELTS before and needs a half band they cannot find on their own.
What you cover
Inside the IELTS Academic course
- A diagnostic against the four public band descriptors
- Writing task 2: task response, the half band most candidates are missing
- Writing task 1: describing data without padding
- Speaking: fluency, coherence and developing an answer past two sentences
- Reading and listening technique under exam timing
- Two full timed mock tests with band-level written feedback
IELTS preparation here starts from the public band descriptors, because they are published and because almost nobody reads them.
The half-band problem
A candidate stuck at 6.5 across several attempts is usually losing marks in one identifiable place. Diagnosing which descriptor is the difference between targeted work and another six months of general English.
Task response
The single most common writing failure is answering the topic instead of the question. It is a reading and planning problem more than a language problem, and it is fixable in weeks rather than months.
IELTS Academic questions, answered properly
How do I get from IELTS 6.5 to 7.5?
Usually by fixing one or two specific descriptors rather than by studying more English. In speaking, it is commonly coherence and the ability to develop an answer. In writing, it is almost always task response — answering the exact question rather than the general topic. A tutor who marks against the public descriptors can tell you which of the four is costing you the half band.
Should I take IELTS Academic or General Training?
Academic for university admission and most professional registration. General Training for most immigration routes, including to the UK, Australia and Canada, and for some work-related purposes. The listening and speaking sections are the same; reading and writing differ. Check the requirement in writing before booking, because the two are not interchangeable.
Is IELTS harder than TOEFL or PTE?
Not harder, different. IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test with a human examiner, which some candidates prefer and others find harder. PTE and TOEFL are computer-scored, which rewards consistency and clarity of delivery over rapport. The right choice usually comes down to what your institution accepts and which format suits you.
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