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MY BAND 9 JOURNEY | IELTS Speaking Exam Experience & Tips
8K views
Feb 9, 2024
In this video, I shared my experience of taking the IELTS Speaking exam. To be specific, I talked about what exactly happened before, during, and after my speaking test. I shared my answer to the question, Where are you from?, in the introduction of the test, and in Part 1, I answered one question about robots. Also, I talked about the conversation I had with my examiner after the exam, and more importantly, I gave my advice as a band 9 achiever to all the test takers. Make sure not to miss it! EBOOKS = Please send an email to: [email protected]. (I apologize, the link for my ebooks is not working, so if you're interested to buy my ebook, please send me an email instead. Thank you.) 00:00 What The Video Is About 00:28 Shout Out To Band 8.5 & 8.0 Achievers 01:33 The Schedule Of My Exam 05:44 - During the Speaking exam [Intro & Part 1] 06:51 Shout Out To Band 7.5 Achievers 07:31 PART 1 09:11 PART 2 10:00 PART 3 11:16 After Part 3 Conversation with my examiner 12:55 MY ADVICE AS A BAND 9 achiever 14:38 Shout Out To Band 7.0 Achievers 14:58 Final ADVICE 15:26 Ebook
View Video Transcript
0:00
I want to share with you all my entire experience of taking the IELTS speaking exam
0:05
As you know, I get a bad night. I want to tell you exactly what happened before taking the exam, during the exam, and after taking the exam
0:15
So, this video is not an instructional video, which is completely different from my normal videos
0:22
I just want to have a chill storytelling video today. So, let's begin
0:28
First of all, I would like to give a shout-out to my viewers who shared their success with me, and hopefully, you'll be inspired
0:35
They all watched my videos and applied all the things that they learned and passed the IELTS speaking exam
0:42
First, we have a Band 8.5 Achiever, Frances Guillermo. According to her, she got 8.5 by following my way
0:50
I'm so happy to hear that. Next, we have Zia Chad. She got a Band 8, and she was appreciative of my work
1:00
That means so much to me, Zia. Thank you. I'm sharing this because I want you to be motivated
1:06
I want you to keep working on improving your weaknesses, so you can make your dream a reality, like Frances and Zia
1:14
Well, I'll be sharing more Achievers later for Bands 7.5 and 7
1:19
Welcome to IELTSdragon. My name is Julius. If you want to support me, just give me a like or subscribe to this channel
1:26
I'll be posting videos related to IELTS speaking. Okay, so let me start sharing my story
1:37
So, I took the exam on a Saturday. In the morning, I had my written exam
1:42
9 to 10 was listening, 10 to 11 was reading, 11 to 12 was writing
1:49
And my speaking exam was scheduled at 4.25 in the afternoon. Can you imagine the agony that I experienced taking all the exams in one day
2:01
Well, I couldn't do anything about it because IDP Philippines arranged my schedule, so I had no choice
2:08
As we know, taking the written exam is actually mentally draining, exhausting
2:15
because we need to put all our energy into it. So, it's like I already spent my 100% mental energy in the morning for that written exam already
2:27
So, nothing left for speaking. Well, the written exam finished at 12 noon, and I needed to wait for more than 4 hours
2:36
for my speaking test since it was scheduled at 4.25 in the afternoon
2:42
So, the waiting time was crazy. That was terrible. You can imagine how it was so tiring to wait for such a long period of time
2:51
after finishing the written exam at 12 noon. So, it's like the agony was really prolonged
2:58
The struggle was really there. That was undeniable. Anyway, the written exam was held in one of the function rooms in a hotel
3:07
which was really good and really comfortable. After lunch, I decided to stay in the lobby because I had nowhere to go
3:14
So, I needed to stay there while waiting for my speaking test
3:19
And at 3.30, I decided to go to the IDP office where my speaking test would be held
3:26
Well, it was just a few walks from the hotel where the written exam was conducted
3:34
When I got into the office, I immediately registered. And I was so nervous because I saw some test takers waiting for their turn for their speaking test
3:46
who looked really anxious. So, I felt like I was absorbing their energy
3:53
While I was sitting in the corner, one of the staff who helped me with the registration
3:59
told me that I might be called earlier since I was early
4:03
And you know what? I was very happy to know that because all I wanted then was to finish my exam
4:08
I was already mentally exhausted. I was really tired because I woke up at 5 in the morning that day
4:15
I had my stressful written exam until 12 noon. Yeah, all I had in mind was to really complete the test
4:25
And thankfully, the examiner called me at 4 in the afternoon. I was very happy to hear my name
4:33
What's funny was that the man sitting next to me also stood up
4:42
He also stood up. So, both of us stood up and we realized that we have the same name
4:47
So, the examiner smiled at us and he read the last name
4:53
And thankfully, he was really referring to me. So, I followed him heading to the speaking test room
5:00
And when we got inside the room, I actually greeted him and I smiled at him
5:06
Well, normally, I smile whenever I feel so stressed out because it's my way of relieving my stress
5:13
And I was so happy then because he smiled back at me and that made me feel so relaxed
5:19
After that, I did not immediately sit. I was waiting for him to say
5:24
Have a seat. Because, yeah, it's my way of showing my respect to him
5:30
especially that he is in his late 40s or perhaps early 50s
5:36
So, I waited for him to say, Have a seat. It's also my way of expressing courtesy
5:46
And the exam started. The introduction was really smooth. I was confident because, you know
5:53
the intro questions are very easy. And of course, I didn't sound rehearsed
5:58
I was just expressing myself in a more natural way. For example, when my examiner asked me about my residence
6:05
Where are you from? I just simply answered like this, I'm from San Fernando, which is a small town located in the southern part of this island
6:15
Well, if you love hiking, my town is one of the best choices for hiking
6:20
Something like that. Although it wasn't true that my town is a good choice for hiking
6:27
I just said that because I wanted to sound more conversational. And at the same time, I was showing my flexibility when it comes to grammar to my examiner
6:39
Even though it was just an introductory part, I was already thinking of the criteria, especially grammar and fluency
6:47
That's what I did. And it definitely worked. To motivate you more, here are 7.5 achievers
6:54
First, Nesrine Sapigal. She watched my videos 5 days before her exam and considered my tips useful
7:03
Successfully, she got 7.5. Next, we have Brony. It's a dream come true for him to get 7.5
7:11
Congratulations, Brony. We also have Bariya. She said my tips were useful
7:17
Sunel got 7.5 as well. Good job. And Charlie being grateful for getting 7.5
7:24
I hope you'll be the next person to get 7.5 or even higher than that
7:29
I'm excited for you. Now, let's proceed to part 1. I was asked about shopping and robots
7:38
Well, the topic of shopping was very easy because, you know, it's relatable
7:43
However, the topic of robots was a bit challenging for me then
7:48
because I didn't have any experience of playing robots when I was a child
7:53
Well, when I was a kid, I didn't have a lot of toys. Well, I had toys, but they're not robots
7:58
They are toy cars. Besides, I spent most of my childhood days outside playing with other kids
8:07
So basically, I didn't have any experience of playing robots. I remember I was just being honest with one of my answers
8:15
I said, Honestly, I didn't have any experience of playing robots when I was a kid
8:20
because I didn't have one. However, if someone gives me a robot now, I'll be happy
8:26
And I think that'll be a good start for me to get to know more about robots
8:31
Something like that. I sounded natural and spontaneous. Well, anyway, there is no right or wrong answer in IELTS
8:40
The examiner is checking your ability to express your thoughts in English naturally
8:45
confidently, and clearly. The examiner doesn't care if you have the best ideas or the most boring ideas
8:53
It doesn't matter at all. Even if you make things up or you're not telling the truth, that's really okay
9:01
Because it is your ability that is checked by your examiner. Your ability to express your thoughts in English confidently, naturally, and clearly
9:15
All right, let's move on to part two. Well, I was able to talk for two minutes here, delivering my monologue
9:21
The examiner stopped me because obviously my time was over. Do your best to talk for two minutes, if possible
9:28
because it's your chance to show off your English communication skills to your examiner
9:34
Don't waste your time. Maximize your time in this part. Well, I don't want to talk more about part two in this video
9:41
because I already created a video about how I got a bad night
9:45
where I talked about the techniques that I used in part two
9:49
So if you haven't watched that video yet, click the link in the description or in the comment section below
9:56
You will surely be able to learn lots of things in that video. Okay, let's move on to part three
10:06
I must say I had a great discussion with my examiner here
10:10
He interrupted me several times because I believe he wanted to challenge me more
10:15
He wanted to know more of my English skills. He wanted to know my flexibility in expressing my thoughts using the English language
10:23
which was actually fun because I was able to express myself even more
10:29
Although there was one question that I didn't quite understand, still I was able to manage it confidently because I had techniques
10:38
I prepared techniques in part three. Well, if you are interested to know the techniques that I used in part three
10:46
that helped me get the highest band score, you can get a copy of my ebook if you're interested
10:53
I'll put the link in the description or in the comment section
10:57
In that ebook, I talked about the things that I did in part three
11:02
that definitely helped me express my ideas even more. And I also talked about how I handled interruptions
11:10
So if you're interested, check the link in the description or in the comment section below
11:20
So after part three, the examiner said that the exam was over
11:24
and then he stopped the audio recorder. I was very surprised because he started talking with me
11:30
He spent time talking with me. He started a conversation talking about how dangerous the internet was
11:37
how vulnerable our personal information online, something like that. And I just commented that what he was saying was true and it's the reality now
11:47
It's something that we couldn't do anything about, something like that. Then he suddenly asked me why I needed to take the IELTS exam
11:55
And then I told him that I really wanted to study New Zealand
11:59
and IELTS scores are actually a requirement for studying in New Zealand
12:06
Then he said I would do well in New Zealand and he believed that I would get a better job in New Zealand
12:13
Hearing those words from him really made me feel so good. I felt his sincerity
12:19
Somehow he's wishing me the best. And yeah, I felt happy hearing those things from him
12:27
Then suddenly he said, Julius, get out of here. Get out of here
12:34
So I actually laughed. Well, both of us laughed and I just simply thanked him
12:40
And then I left the room and I was so happy leaving that room
12:45
I was relieved because finally my exam was over and I could do something else with my life
12:52
No more IELTS. I realized that the exam is not difficult at all
13:01
You just have to speak naturally and confidently, but not cocky. Nobody likes someone who is cocky or someone who is overconfident of their English skills
13:13
to the point that they always find mistakes in others' English communication skills
13:18
Don't be like that. Express yourself naturally, practice and be confident with your English communication skills
13:27
If I made it getting the highest band score, there's no reason why you can't make it
13:34
Well, we may differ in skills or circumstances, but if you're willing to put your 100% effort or maybe more than that
13:44
then you can definitely get it. The problem with some students is that they are complainers
13:51
They are not problem solvers. Well, I read a lot of comments on my previous videos
13:58
Some were saying it was hard, they couldn't express themselves confidently, something like that
14:07
Well, that's a problem. They complain a lot. They don't find solutions on how they can improve themselves
14:17
They don't criticize themselves in a constructive way. They don't find solutions
14:24
That's the problem. If you're like that, then don't expect that you will get band 7 or band 9
14:32
No, you really need to put in effort if you want to get a band 7 or a band 9
14:38
Here are the band 7 achievers. Abby, Sherbet Lemon, Dorcas, Marjonna, and Sigrid Marie
14:48
Congratulations on your success. I'm very happy that my videos helped you
14:53
You guys did a great job. Good luck in your future endeavors
14:58
Well, treat the exam as a natural or a normal conversation. Express yourself naturally and confidently
15:04
Avoid sounding rehearsed or calculated because that will not help you achieve your target band score
15:12
And avoid using big words, especially if you don't know how to use them correctly
15:17
Because if you do that, you'll end up sounding trying hard. And that sounds very unnatural
15:24
You have to avoid that. Anyway, if you're interested to get a copy of my ebooks about the recent cue cards
15:32
with sample ideas or sample monologues, collocations, and topic vocabulary, and an ebook for the techniques that I used in part 3 that helped me get a band 9
15:44
please check the link in the description or in the comment section below
15:48
Anyway, thank you so much for watching this video. Until next time, have a lovely day. Bye