[IELTS Test Write-up]

School and major: Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), fifth year

Score: 6.5

Test date: 2025/11/07

[Study Takeaways & Preparation by Section]

[Listening]

For listening, Wordgod prep school helped me rebuild my understanding of the question types instead of just doing practice questions. The instructor especially stressed predicting keywords, recognizing synonym paraphrases, and how the questions in each Section are built, which gave me a better sense of direction when actually answering. Classes also analyzed common traps, such as distractor options and changes in speaking speed, so I could stay focused on the real test and not get misled easily. Through repeated practice and review, my listening comprehension and answering consistency both improved noticeably.

[Reading]

Reading had always been the section I was relatively confident in, but after the prep course I realized I still fell short on time management and question-type strategy. Patrick taught us how to quickly get the main idea of a paragraph, make good use of skimming and scanning, and take suitable steps for different question types (such as True / False / Not Given and Matching headings), as well as the parallel reading method. All of this not only helped me answer faster but also cut down on time wasted overanalyzing details.

[Writing] Writing is one of the sections where I think I improved the most. Before, I was only at about 5 to 5.5. Patrick at Wordgod prep school made the IELTS writing scoring criteria clear to me, and I learned how to respond to the prompt, organize paragraphs and use more varied sentence patterns and vocabulary. Patrick goes through the structure of model essays sentence by sentence and points out common mistakes, such as unclear arguments or overly colloquial expressions. Through constant revising and practice, I gradually became able to write logically clear essays that meet academic standards.

[Speaking]

In the speaking course, Wordgod prep school offered lots of chances to actually speak, whether with the instructor or with classmates, which was very important to me. The instructor not only taught us how to extend our answers but also corrected pronunciation, word choice and grammar errors on the spot, so I could express my ideas more naturally. Through mock test sessions redeemed with study points, I gradually got over my nerves and learned to answer questions in a more organized way.

[Study Plan]

After finishing the prep course, it was actually quite a while before I took the test. I was glad I hadn't forgotten much, and I'm grateful to my classmates from the prep course for giving me the notes and material I was missing. I mainly practiced with the Cambridge past papers in the 雅思哥 (IELTS Bro) computer-based test app, doing one full test a week for about three weeks, while reviewing key points from my old handouts and materials. I also kept to my test-day schedule for two weeks so I could put everything into the final stretch, and in the end I met the school's minimum requirement as I'd hoped.

[Test-Day Report]

It's computer-based. You can practice on the 雅思哥 software beforehand to get used to the interface, and try to practice your typing speed too. Listening uses over-ear headphones, so no need to worry about not hearing clearly, but students who wear glasses may find them a bit tight.

Listening

Part 1: rock-climbing staff training, all fill-in-the-blank

Part 2: a trip to Spain, some fill-in-the-blank

Part 3: students observing chimpanzees, writing up their reflections

Part 4: Rembrandt's paintings, all fill-in-the-blank

Reading

Passage 1: dinosaur extinction

Passage 2: starting a business in New Zealand

Passage 3: a photographer in Australia

Writing

The first chart was a line graph, the second a bar chart

The line graph showed population change from 1976-2010, and the bar chart below showed changes in where they lived, only for 1976 and 2010, with three bars: rural, towns and cities

Speaking

Part 1 asked a lot about hometown: how long you've lived there, whether you think it's good, and then whether you think it needs to change

Part 2 asked about a time you got lost: when, with whom, and what happened

Part 3 asked whether you think foreigners who come to Taiwan get lost, your thoughts on getting lost, whether they use technology, and what kind of people are more likely to use technology

14.​Words of encouragement for other test takers:

IELTS is just a tool for studying abroad. Give it your all, and don't get too hung up on the result.

[Score Report]