Some journeys to IELTS success are paved with discipline, hope – and a lot of late nights.
This is the story of one student who couldn’t afford a tutor, failed her first attempt, and still made it all the way to Band 8.
Her story moved me deeply – not just because of the result, but because it shows what’s possible when someone combines faith, strategy, and consistency. She told me:
“It was a journey of faith, patience and determination…”
Let me walk you through what made the difference for her – and how you can follow in her footsteps.
What Went Wrong the First Time?
She first took the IELTS in May last year, and here’s how she scored:
- Listening: 7.5
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 7.0
- Speaking: 7.5
- Overall: Band 7
A strong result – but short of her target. Many students stop here. But not her.
Instead, she prepared her mind, took a breath, and started over.
How She Changed Her Approach
Here’s what she did differently the second time around:
- Started with the hardest skill (Reading)
- Studied 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
- Read model answers to past questions daily
- Didn’t avoid any module – worked on all four skills
- Used my blog and email materials to sharpen Speaking and Writing
“I subscribed to your emails, and I can say it’s one thing that greatly helped me with my speaking and writing.”
And when her test date was unexpectedly delayed by 3 weeks? She didn’t give up. She stayed focused and kept preparing.
The Result?
She passed – with Band 8.
This time, she booked after two months of focused, structured preparation. And when her score came in, she sent me a message that I’ll never forget.
🌟 In Her Own Words (Full Story)
“It was a journey of faith, patience and determination. I’m a returning test taker, so I had to be on my A-game to make it work this time. It was quite devastating when my first result came in with a Band 7 in May 2024 (Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.5). I had to prepare my mind first – I allowed myself to get through the past failure, then focused on going for it again.
2025 came in and I set a goal for 3 months. I started preparing actively in February. First and foremost, I read about what the test entails from the official website. This gave me the knowledge of each module and helped me understand what I needed to get my required Band score. Though having to start reading for the test all over again was difficult, I saw myself doing it.
The second thing I did was read the success stories of others who made high band scores, so I set out on the journey to achieving my goal.
Furthermore, I came across your site online while searching randomly for pages where I could get questions and model answers. I subscribed to receiving your emails, and I can say it’s one thing that greatly helped me with my Speaking and Writing.
I made sure that I practiced for at least 3 hours, 5 days each week. I attempted several past questions, not leaving any module behind. Reading was where I got a 6.5 in my first attempt, so I started with it – that was the hardest part for me. My scores were very low in the beginning for like some weeks, but I didn’t give up.
Conclusively, the test cannot be written in haste. I booked after two months of intensive study. One thing that was about to pull me back was when my test date was changed. My hopes were high that I was already at the end of the journey, alas, 3 more weeks were added. I got discouraged when I received the email, but I continued in the energy-and now I am here today as a Band 8 test taker.
I will also like to thank you once more. May you find help in time of need, you will not be stranded of divine wisdom and strength. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall continue to abide with you now and forever more.
It cost me an arm and a leg to register for the test. I would have loved to get a tutor, but I couldn’t afford it. But your blog was of immense help to me. I look forward to seeing your academy very great and top of the list in the nearest time to come. Really, my heart prays for you, and I will always remember you on this journey.”
What Can You Learn From This?
- You don’t have to be perfect at the start (her Reading scores were low!)
- Faith and resilience matter just as much as practice techniques
- You need strategy + practice – not just motivation
Want the Tools for Success?
If you’re preparing for IELTS on your own – whether it’s your first, second, or final attempt – these are the resources that make REAL difference:
