The IELTS exam can feel like a high-stakes challenge, but for Indian students aiming to study abroad, it’s also a golden opportunity. To understand what really works — and what doesn’t— The Free Press Journal spoke to two Indian students who’ve walked this path: Deep Bhadja, now pursuing a Master of Electrical and Microsystems Engineering at OTH Regensburg, Germany, who scored an impressive 8 band, and Abhishek Lakhani, a student of Automotive Software Engineering at TU Chemnitz, Germany, who scored a 6.5 band. Their experiences offer a mix of sharp advice, hard-earned lessons, and practical tips.

Common Preparation Mistakes

For Deep, one big mistake is overestimating what last-minute prep can do. “Relying purely on practice and studying just two weeks before the exam doesn’t cut it,” he says. “Immersion matters — the more English content you consume daily, whether it’s news, YouTube, movies, or novels, the more naturally you improve. But that doesn’t mean skipping preparation altogether. Immersion often leaves out grammar, which is critical for a high score.”

Abhishek agrees that coaching centres aren’t magic. “Lean on yourself, not just on coaches. The real gains come when you write essays, record yourself speaking, and take mock tests on your own,” he says. He also warns against falling for flashy language: “Skip the fancy words if you’re not 100% sure how to use them. A clean, well-organised essay beats a confusing one every time.”

Both stress the importance of writing practice. Deep says, “Don’t just read essays — set a timer and start writing yourself. Writing is often the most challenging part.” For Abhishek, timing is everything: “Time yourself religiously. Nothing wrecks confidence like realising two minutes before the end that you’ve only written half your Task 2 essay.”

When it comes to reading and listening, Deep swears by novels: “You naturally practice reading skills and, in your mind, you’re speaking the words, which helps with pronunciation and grammar.” Abhishek adds, “Don’t ignore speaking and listening. IELTS is about using English in real time—chatting with friends in English, listening to podcasts, and practising under timed conditions.”

Common Exam Day Mistakes

For the speaking test, Deep’s advice is simple: “Start having monologues with yourself, either in front of the mirror or in your head. Nervousness hits hard if you’re not used to speaking.”

In the listening section, he cautions against looking back: “Don’t dwell over missed sentences. If you try to remember the previous answer, you might lose the current one too.”

Abhishek emphasises reading instructions carefully. “Read every instruction twice. Missing one detail, like ‘answer in no more than two words,’ can cost you points,” he says. On speaking: “Treat the speaking test like a friendly chat. You’re not being grilled — just talk naturally. If you stumble, take a breath and keep going.” And don’t rush out of the exam hall: “Leave time to double-check. Even five minutes at the end to fix an apostrophe or a tense can bump up your score.”

Biggest Challenges in Preparation

Abhishek points out that many students get tripped up by the gap between textbook English and real-world English. “Most of us grow up on formal, ‘Indian’ English, but it doesn’t always match the accents, idioms, and pace you’ll hear in the test,” he says. Grammar also sneaks up as a challenge: “It’s amazing how easily we slip on articles, tense consistency, or subject-verb agreement.”

Fear of speaking is another hurdle. “I’ve met students who knew they’d bomb the speaking test before they even started — just because they were terrified of making mistakes,” says Abhishek. His solution: “Practice until speaking feels normal.”

Both agree that consistency beats cramming. Abhishek sums it up: “Cramming might work for physics formulas, but language skills grow over time. Aim for a little practice every day instead of a marathon right before the exam.”

Advice for Other Students

Abhishek offer practical, battle-tested advice:

Start early. Even 30 minutes a day over two months is better than a last-minute panic.

Use real IELTS materials. Official Cambridge books or trusted online simulators will give you the most accurate feel for question types and timing.

Record and review. Hearing your own speaking practice helps you catch pronunciation and fluency issues you’d never notice in the moment.

Get someone to give feedback. A tutor, a friend who’s already taken IELTS, or even an online forum can point out blind spots.

Keep your cool. As Abhishek puts it, “Clear communication trumps perfect grammar. As long as the examiner can follow your ideas, you’re on the right track.”

At the end of the day, both Deep and Abhishek believe that success in IELTS isn’t just about mastering the test — it’s about building genuine confidence in using English.