How to Get a 9 Band in IELTS Listening

To receive a 9 Band in IELTS Listening, you must strive to achieve a near-perfect (39) or perfect (40) score in the listening section. Although this is a rather difficult task, this blog will guide you through strategies to help you get a 9 band in listening.

1. Understanding the IELTS Listening Test

The Listening test is split into four sections, each containing 10 questions. Thus, the total number of questions in the Listening section is 40. The test will typically last about 30 minutes, and then you are given 10 minutes to rewrite your answers on the answer sheet. Additionally, you are only allowed to hear each listening section once so there is no room for error.

For more information, please check out our in-depth blog explaining the question types.

1.1. Section 1: Social Context

The first section of the IELTS Listening section is usually a social context. This section is typically an interaction between two people set in an everyday context. Examples could range from a phone call about a cruise trip to a conversation about a service. The questions often involve completing forms, notes, tables, or diagrams.

1.2. Section 2: Monologue in a Social Context

The second section of the IELTS Listening section is a monologue on a certain broad topic. It could be something like a speech about local facilities. These questions are mostly multiple-choice questions, labelling a diagram, or matching information with each other.

1.3. Section 3: Educational or Training Context

The third section of the IELTS Listening test is a conversation between up to four people in an educational or training context. Examples could be a discussion between an English tutor and his students—questions mostly involve multiple-choice questions, matching, and note completion tasks.

1.4. Section 4: Academic Lecture

The final section is a one-speaker monologue on an academic subject like a university lecture. The common tasks for this section are note completion, summary completion, and multiple choice questions.

2. Strategies to Score Band 9 in IELTS Listening

Let’s dive into the strategies to help you score a band 9 on the listening test.

2.1. Know the Test Format and Question Types

Before you take the IELTS Listening test, you must know exactly how the test is formatted and what questions you might encounter. Understanding the structure of each section and the common question types will help you manage your time better and focus better. Thankfully, we covered the test format previously.

2.2. Develop Strong Listening Skills

The IELTS Listening test tests how well you can listen and interpret the speakers’ words; you must develop strong listening skills. This can be done through regular practice. Try to listen to various English audio materials daily that spark your interest, such as TED talks, news, or podcasts. You can also take this a step further by incorporating active listening strategies. While listening, try taking notes and summarizing what you hear. After that, try to predict what the speaker might talk about next. This will train your brain to anticipate information and stay focused. Additionally, ensure you are exposed to different types of English accents, such as Australian, Canadian, British, and American. This is paramount because the IELTS Listening test includes a mix of accents.

2.3. Use Practice Tests Wisely

When using practice tests, don’t just go through them mindlessly. Try to simulate the test conditions as accurately as possible. By doing so you are able to get used to the pressure and timings of the actual exam. Use our IELTS practice materials to ensure that the tests are realistic. After each practice test, you must make correction notes. Review your answers, and write down why you got certain questions wrong. This way, you can fully understand your mistakes and improve your weaknesses. You can also use the tapescripts provided with the practice tests to follow along and understand where you might have missed information. This can help you recognize where distractors are placed and improve your comprehension.

2.4. Effective Time Management

To score a near-perfect score you must also efficiently manage your time. Use the time before each section to read through the questions so that you know what information is important and what to listen for. Also, highlight the keywords in the questions that can help guide your listening. Again, we must focus on the relevant information and avoid distractions. Don’t panic! If you miss an answer, stay calm and move on to the next question. There is nothing you can do if you miss an answer, so stay calm and don’t miss any more questions.

2.5. Pay Attention to Details

When certain details like numbers and dates are stated, be meticulous with them, as even a small mistake can cost you points.

2.6. Practice Note-Taking

When you take notes for the listening test, you develop a shorthand system. A system where your notes are clear enough to help you during the answer transfer time but also is short in length. Only focus on noting down the relevant information, such as important names and specific details mentioned in the questions.

2.7. Post-Listening Review

Use the extra 10 minutes at the end of the listening test to carefully transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Check for spelling and grammatical errors because that can also cost you points. Double-check every question and that you transferred every answer correctly.

Scoring a Band 9 in the Listening section is hard, but it is not impossible. Adhere to the strategies referenced here and you can achieve a near-perfect score in the listening section. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!