Ngô Bảo Điền, IELTS 7.0: "The day I got my results, my mother cried because, thanks to IELTS, I was accepted into my dream university."

The Journey to a 7.0 IELTS Score after a Failed Attempt

In his first attempt in January 2023, Điền reluctantly received a 6.0 score. While this demonstrated a solid level of English, it wasn’t enough for him to enter his dream university. Previously, Điền had studied IELTS at outside centers, but the intense university exam preparation schedule, lengthy commute times, and rushed meals left him exhausted. Unable to attend all the classes, Điền decided to enroll in Prep, dedicating all his remaining energy to self-study.

With Prep, Điền set a clear goal: to reach a 7.0 within two months. Determined, he committed 5-6 hours daily to study lectures, complete practice exams, and review mistakes. Recognizing that his weakest skill was Speaking, Điền dove into rigorous practice, pushing himself to the limit.

Methods to Improve Weaknesses in Speaking and Writing

After an initial assessment, Điền quickly identified that he needed to focus on Speaking and Writing, his two weakest skills.

For Writing, he regularly practiced using Cambridge materials and honed his skills in a virtual Writing room.

As for Speaking, Điền spent up to three hours daily in the virtual Speaking practice room. This allowed him to develop ideas within fixed time limits and practice presenting them confidently and fluently. Điền shared, “In the virtual Speaking room, I used what my teachers taught me about structuring responses, vocabulary, and Prep’s sample answers to complete simpler sections and familiarize myself with test formats.”

Each time he practiced Speaking, Điền would study the sample answers suggested by Prep. He meticulously reviewed grammar and vocabulary to identify mistakes and noted corrections for future sessions. After practice, he carefully recorded vocabulary and sample answers to integrate them into future responses.

Điền expressed strong appreciation for the virtual Speaking practice room, saying, “Before, I lacked confidence when speaking. But just by using the virtual room, I became more fluent and gained a mindset similar to being in the actual exam, which helped me speak much more smoothly. Each time I practiced, I’d receive scores based on real criteria, like having a judging panel there, so I knew where I often made mistakes. Luckily, in the real test, Part 1 was exactly what I practiced at Prep, which made me feel so confident!”

Thanks to Điền's continuous, serious efforts and the dedicated guidance from Prep’s teachers, he performed excellently in the exam room. Điền remarked, “Thanks to Prep, I no longer felt lost in Speaking and finally achieved the score I wanted.”

IELTS Preparation Tips to Achieve 8.0 in Listening & 7.5 in Reading

Since Điền focused most of his time on Speaking and Writing, he didn’t dedicate as much to Listening and Reading. However, he developed his own strategies with Prep to maximize his strengths in these sections.

For Listening, Điền followed Prep’s lecture videos closely and practiced diligently with Cambridge materials. He especially enjoyed the tips from his teachers, which he applied immediately after each practice test, consistently yielding positive results.

Regarding Reading, Điền noted that this section requires a solid vocabulary foundation and time management skills. Therefore, he allocated specific times to each part and carefully reviewed new vocabulary after every practice test. In addition to Prep’s lectures, he also concentrated on Cambridge practice tests in Prep’s test bank, finding them closely aligned with the actual exam format.

Perseverance and Determination Drive Điền to Achieve His Dream

One of Bảo Điền's most memorable moments was going to bed at night, feeling the pressure and worry about possibly "missing the target again." Điền shared, "If I didn’t score at least 7.0, I wouldn’t get into my dream university. I’d already disappointed my parents once, so this time I was truly determined to make them proud. When the results came, my mom cried because I had finally achieved a 7.0 IELTS score and got into the school I wanted."

Reflecting on his journey of dedicated, intense study over the past two months, Điền feels immensely proud of himself and his results. He offers advice to other IELTS learners: "Try to study for IELTS as soon as possible, don’t put it off too long, as that just increases the pressure when you have less time. Only when you’re relaxed and giving it your best can you achieve good results. Also, to build strong reflexes, practice consistently in the virtual Speaking & Writing rooms.”

With his 7.0 IELTS score, Bảo Điền plans to continue his academic journey at RMIT in Australia after university. Prep thanks Bảo Điền for sharing his IELTS preparation story and wishes him continued passion for language and success in his new journey.

An IELTS certificate can open a “world” of opportunities. At Prep, high-quality online IELTS courses—from foundational to advanced levels—help learners achieve their desired IELTS band scores. As a leading “expert” in smart learning and test prep, Prep continually enhances its platform with the latest tech features to address any challenges students face in IELTS preparation.

To learn more about the Prep for IELTS course, call the hotline at 0931 42 8899 for more details and a free consultation.