Shadowing Practice: IELTS Tips You MUST Know Before Your Test - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.

195 sentences

If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.

Sarah was devastated.

After months of preparation, she failed her IELTS test by just half a band.

The reason?

A simple mistake she made 24 hours before the exam.

In this video, I'm going to share with you four incredible stories about four students

that made one small change to their preparation 24 hours before the test that made a huge difference to their score.

Each story focuses on one key area

that you need to address the day before your test if you want to get the best score possible.

Stay tuned because what you do the day before your test could make or break your IELTS score.

Meet Sarah.

She was a brilliant student with dreams of studying international business in London.

Sarah should have easily got a band eight, but she made three critical mistakes in the 24 -hour period before her exam.

Number one, cramming.

I stayed up all night trying to memorize vocabulary and practice answers.

I thought if I could just cram a little more information into my brain, I'd do better on the test.

Number two, isolation.

I shut myself in my room, avoiding everyone, especially my family.

I was so focused on studying that I didn't want any distractions.

Number three, negative self -talk.

I kept imagining all the ways I could fail.

Every time I made a mistake, I convinced myself I wasn't ready.

These approaches might sound very familiar to you.

It is natural that we want to cram as much information in as possible

and work as hard as possible to give us the best possible chance.

But as we're going to learn, it can backfire.

By the time I got to the test center, I was exhausted, anxious, and my mind was a mess full of half -remembered words and phrases.

I could barely focus on the questions, let alone give good answers.

And the result?

Burnout, anxiety, and a disappointing 6 .5.

Sarah's confidence was completely shattered when she saw her result

and she was about to give up on her dream of studying business in London.

But in order to help her, I used this technique that you can use at home to identify the root cause of the problem.

So I asked her on the night before the test, why were you so stressed out?

I might fail.

Why are you so afraid of failure?

I'll let my family down.

Have you spoken to your family about this?

we have a winner.

This is the real reason why she was so stressed the day before her test.

So she had to have a very hard conversation with her parents

and I'll let you know how that went in a second but let me tell you about her next attempt.

How she prepared 24 hours before the test that massively boosted her score.

So here's what she did.

Number one she set a cutoff time.

I stopped all IELTS preparation at 6 p .m the day before the test.

It was hard at first.

I felt like I should be studying every minute but Chris convinced me that rest was just as important as practice.

Number two, relaxation activities.

I took a long bath, did some light yoga and listened to calming music.

It was the first time in months I'd allowed myself to truly relax.

Number three, positive visualization.

Before bed I spent 10 minutes imagining myself feeling confident and performing well on the test.

I pictured myself calmly answering questions and writing fluently.

Number four, early bedtime.

I was in bed by 9pm to ensure I got a full 8 hours of sleep.

I used to think sleep was a waste of time, but I realised how crucial it is for my mental clarity.

Number 5, morning motivation.

I read encouraging messages from my mum and dad over breakfast.

It reminded me that I had a support system and that my worth was not determined by a test score.

These changes might sound simple, anyone can do them, but those changes had a profound impact on her test score.

When I walked into the test center this time, I felt like a different person.

I was calm, focused, and actually felt confident.

For the first time, I wasn't fighting against panic and stress during the test.

I was able to think clearly and express myself well.

And the result, she got an 8 .5 on test day.

Now being calm, focused, and relaxed is very, very important.

And you can achieve that by doing similar things to Sarah, but you need to identify the root cause problem.

When she was able to sit down and speak to her parents she realized

that her parents loved her more than getting a high band score

or moving to london and getting a fancy degree she realized

that she was much more than her test score once she realized

that like many many things in life she realized

that all the worry all the stress was in her imagination if you are feeling stressed if you're feeling worried

Try using that technique by asking yourself several times, why?

Why are you stressed?

Why does that matter?

Why do you care about that?

Why does that make you scared?

And get to the root cause problem and then address that problem and it will fix 80, 90 % of your stress -related issues.

And finally, once you identify that problem, if you don't know how to fix it, share it with a friend, a family member, someone you trust.

A problem shared is a problem halved.

Next.

Let's talk about Ahmed.

His lack of practical preparation nearly cost him his chance at a prestigious MBA program.

Let's look at what he did and have a think about why he got a much lower score than he deserved.

I woke up to my alarm feeling confident, but as I checked the test center address,

I panicked and realized it was much further than I thought.

I rushed to get ready, but then I couldn't find my ID.

By the time I found it and left home, I was already running late.

Then the morning quickly went from bad to worse.

There was unexpected traffic and I arrived at the test center 20 minutes late, sweating and stressed out.

They almost didn't let me in to take the test.

By the time I sat down, my heart was racing and I couldn't focus on the questions.

To make matters worse, the deadline for the MBA program was within two weeks, so he needed his second attempt to go without a hitch.

Here are the five things that he did in order to guarantee the best possible result.

Number one, reconnaissance mission.

The afternoon before, I did a practice run to the test center.

I timed the journey and familiarized myself with the building.

It gave me peace of mind knowing exactly where I needed to go.

100

Number two, document preparation.

101

I laid out all my required documents and packed my bag the night before.

102

Three, multiple alarms.

103

I set three alarms and asked a friend to call me as a backup.

104

And before, backup transportation.

105

I arranged a free ride with a friend in case there were problems with public transport.

106

Knowing I had a plan B really helped me relax and sleep well that night.

107

Number five, tech stack.

108

I made sure my phone was fully charged.

109

I had the test center's location stored in the maps, all of my IDs photographed, stored in my phone, and even the test center's contact information.

110

These things might seem excessive, but they made a huge difference to him on test day.

111

The night before the test, I felt so much more relaxed.

112

I knew I had everything prepared so I could focus on getting a good night's sleep instead of worrying.

113

I woke up calmly to my first alarm, had time to have a good breakfast and arrived at the test center with 45 minutes to spare.

114

I even had time to relax and do some deep breathing before the test started.

115

And the result, he went from 6 .5 to 8 just by taking those practical steps

116

and he was able to do his MBA program.

117

Now meet Mai.

118

In the 24 hours before her test, Mai made some unhealthy choices.

119

Number one, she pulled an all -nighter.

120

I thought if I studied right up until the test, I'd remember more.

121

I didn't want to waste time sleeping when I could be studying.

122

Number two, caffeine overload.

123

Drank so much coffee before the test that my hands were shaking and I couldn't sit still.

124

Number three, skipped meal.

125

I was just too nervous to eat properly and I thought I'd feel more alert if I was hungry.

126

Her approach might sound very familiar to you.

127

Many students believe that if they cram in as much information as possible, they will do better on test day.

128

But it's important to remember that the IELTS test is not a memorization test.

129

It is not a knowledge test.

130

It is a communication test.

131

And in order to clearly communicate in English, you need a clear, focused mind.

132

Halfway through the reading section, it was like hitting a wall.

133

My eyes couldn't focus on the words.

134

My brain felt foggy.

135

And I just started making silly mistakes.

136

And the result of her ignoring her physical preparation meant

137

that her score was far lower than what was required for her PhD.

138

I was devastated.

139

I'd studied so hard, but my scores didn't reflect my true ability at all.

140

I realized I had sabotaged myself with my last minute preparation tactics.

141

So for her next attempt, what we did was show her that her mental performance was linked to her physical performance.

142

And we focused far more in helping her body perform well so that her brain could perform well on test day.

143

So here's what we did.

144

Number one, sleep.

145

I went to bed early and aimed for eight hours of sleep.

146

I also avoided screens for an hour before bedtime to help me fall asleep more naturally.

147

Number two, balanced nutrition.

148

I had a nutritious dinner the night before, grilled salmon, rice and vegetables.

149

And for breakfast on test day, I had oatmeal with fruit and nuts.

150

It gave me steady energy without making me feel sluggish.

151

Number three, hydration.

152

I made sure to drink plenty of water, but not so much that I needed bathroom breaks every 20 minutes.

153

I also avoided too much caffeine because that ensures you get a good sleep and means you're not running to the bathroom.

154

Number four, light exercise.

155

I did a 20 -minute yoga session in the morning to energize my body and calm my mind.

156

It helped me feel relaxed but alert.

157

Number five, brain food.

158

I packed some nuts and dark chocolate for a quick energy boost during the breaks.

159

Number six, comfortable clothing.

160

Being physically comfortable during the test was way more important than I realized

161

and her score jumped from 6 .5 to 7 .5, and she was able to start her PhD.

162

Carla's a software engineer, and she was used to speaking English every day at work.

163

But the day before the test, she made a crucial mistake.

164

I spent the whole day relaxing, watching Spanish movies and chatting with my family in Spanish.

165

I thought I could just switch to English mode on test day.

166

When I started the speaking test, it was like my brain was stuck in Spanish.

167

I knew what I wanted to say, but the English words weren't just coming out smoothly.

168

I kept hesitating and making small grammar mistakes I wouldn't usually make.

169

This situation is very, very common.

170

So on test day, you're going to be stressed out.

171

And when you combine that with maybe speaking in your native language for a few days before the test,

172

and you're suddenly expected to switch into English.

173

It's a bit like an athlete trying to go into a big game without stretching and warming up first.

174

So after speaking to Carla, it was very obvious why they didn't get the score that they needed.

175

So 24 hours before their next test, we did a few things.

176

Number one, English only.

177

I committed to using only English for the entire day before the test.

178

It was challenging at first, especially with my family, but it really helped me get into the right mindset.

179

Number two, immersive listening.

180

I listened to English podcasts on IELTS related topics during breakfast and my commute.

181

I chose topics like education, environment, technology, things that often come up in the IELTS test.

182

Number three, active reading.

183

I read English news articles and books all day.

184

I made sure to read actively summarizing main points and noting new vocabulary.

185

Number four, speaking practice.

186

I had lunch with English speaking colleagues and deliberately steered our conversation towards more complex topics.

187

I even told them about my IELTS test, and they were happy to engage me in more formal discussions.

188

Number five, English entertainment.

189

In the evening, I watched English YouTube videos and a movie without subtitles.

190

Now, some of you might be thinking, isn't she cramming?

191

Isn't she exhausting herself?

192

No, there's a huge difference between cramming for a test and just operating in English.

193

But if you're feeling tired, If you don't want to be watching English movies and reading English books,

194

just do nothing but try to get into that English warm -up 24 hours before your test.

195

And you've guessed it, Carla was able to jump to a massive score and get the job of her dreams in America.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence

IPA PracticeMaster every sound

VocabularyBuild your word bank

Vocab GameLearn while playing

Scan QR

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Same Channel

300

FOR YOU

Recommend Video

219 sentences

The 7 Mistakes Locking Your IELTS Score at a Band 6.0

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

35 sentences

SEtalk: Sleep Is Not a Waste of Time

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

52 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made in Your Life | Band 7+ Answer

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

201 sentences

IELTS Listening Tips and Tricks - How I got Band 9 TWICE

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Mock Test | Band 8 Sample Answers (Daily Life & Habits)

291

21 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Mock Test | Band 8 Sample Answers (Daily Life & Habits)

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

671 sentences

The Writing Makeover That Took Her Essay From 6 5 to 8 5

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

641 sentences

1 Hour IELTS Listening October Part 3 | Podcast with Test & Transcript 2026 #ib8

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

556 sentences

IELTS Test with EX EXAMINER!!!! + Language and Tips

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

182 sentences

This Method Took Her From Band 5.0 to 7.5

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

156 sentences

Get Better at IELTS Reading in 13 Minutes

IELTS PrepCambridge Exam PrepUniversity Students

420 sentences

How to Get Band 9 in IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This speaking lesson is built on the video “IELTS Tips You MUST Know Before Your Test”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: test, English, score, hour. This video has 195 sentences and 2269 words to shadow. The speech runs for 12:05. The speaker talks fast, about 188 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 81% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
preparation noun	/ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/	The act of preparing or getting ready.
relax verb	/ɹɪˈlæks/	To make something loose.
alarm noun	/əˈlɑɹm/	A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
topic noun	/ˈtɑpɪk/	A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest.
practical adjective	/ˈpɹæk.tɪ.kəl/	Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis.
technique noun	/tɛkˈniːk/	The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements.
boost verb	/buːst/	To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up.
alert adjective	/əˈlɝt/	Attentive; awake; on guard.
crucial adjective	/ˈkɹuː.ʃəl/	Essential or decisive for determining the outcome or future of something; extremely important; vital.
convince verb	/kənˈvɪns/	To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
examination noun	/ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/	The act of examining.
panic noun	/ˈpænɪk/	Overwhelming fear or fright, often affecting groups of people or animals; (countable) an instance of this; a fright, a scare.
backup noun	/ˈbækˌʌp/	A reserve or substitute.
yoga noun	/ˈjoʊ.ɡə/	Any of several Hindu or Buddhist disciplines aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity; especially a system…
vocabulary noun	/vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/	A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
stress out verb		To become stressed.
sit down verb		To assume a sitting position from a standing position.
warm up verb	/ˌwɔː(ɹ)m ˈʌp/	To become warmer.
come out verb	/ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/	To be discovered; to be revealed.
lay out verb	/ˌleɪ ˈaʊt/	To expend or contribute money to an expense or purchase.
stay up verb		To remain awake; to not go to bed.
wake up verb	/ˌweɪk ˈʌp/	To stop sleeping; to awake.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

Why are you so afraid of failure?
I'll let my family down.
Have you spoken to your family about this?
Why do you care about that?
Why does that make you scared?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	Have you spoken · you've guessed
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	was required · was linked

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 32 contractions and reduced forms, such as didn't, I'd, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: clothing /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/, bath /bɑːθ/, breathe /bɹiːð/, athlete /ˈæθ.liːt/, unhealthy /ʌnˈhɛl.θi/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/, crucial /ˈkɹuː.ʃəl/, examination /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, rush /ɹʌʃ/, shake /ˈʃeɪk/
Long words — get the stress right: preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/, examination /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, devastated /ˈdɛv.əˌsteɪ.təd/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like preparation, relax, alarm.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

Shadowing Practice: IELTS Tips You MUST Know Before Your Test - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Download App

IELTS Speaking Interview - Band 9 Example

What Makes a Band 9 Speaking Answer?

The ONLY IELTS Writing Task 2 Strategy You Need

IELTS Speaking Test - Almost Perfect Band 8

Can You Fix This IELTS Speaking Answer?

Get Band 9 After Learning These Speaking Tips

IELTS Speaking Test- Perfect Band 9

This Student Made Band 9 Speaking Look Easy

IELTS Speaking Band 6 vs Band 9 Answer

How Do I Improve My Reading and Listening?

How Do I Get A Band 9 in IELTS Speaking?

IELTS Speaking Test: Perfect Band 9 Score [+ Free Speaking PDF]

IELTS Speaking Tips + Tricks: The Ultimate Guide

This Is What Band 9 IELTS Speaking Actually Sounds Like [+ Free Speaking PDF]

"What is your name?" IELTS Speaking Band 9 Answer

IELTS Speaking Secrets Every Student Should Learn

IELTS Speaking Band 5 vs. Band 9 – See the Difference!

The Advanced IELTS Speaking Answers That Get Band 9

Band 9.0 IELTS Practice Speaking Exam [+ Free Speaking PDF]

IELTS Speaking Mock Test - Band 8 [+ Free Speaking PDF]

The 7 Mistakes Locking Your IELTS Score at a Band 6.0

SEtalk: Sleep Is Not a Waste of Time

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Difficult Decision You Made in Your Life | Band 7+ Answer

IELTS Listening Tips and Tricks - How I got Band 9 TWICE

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Mock Test | Band 8 Sample Answers (Daily Life & Habits)

The Writing Makeover That Took Her Essay From 6 5 to 8 5

1 Hour IELTS Listening October Part 3 | Podcast with Test & Transcript 2026 #ib8

IELTS Test with EX EXAMINER!!!! + Language and Tips

This Method Took Her From Band 5.0 to 7.5

Get Better at IELTS Reading in 13 Minutes

How to Get Band 9 in IELTS Writing Task 2

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?