9 Effective Tips to Improve IELTS Listening Score to Band 6.0

Reaching Band 6.0 in IELTS Listening is a common goal for many candidates. In this article, IDP shares 9 effective tips to help you reach that score.

Before starting your IELTS Listening practice, it's essential to understand the test format. The Listening test consists of 40 questions divided into four parts:

• Part 1: A conversation between two people about daily life or social topics (10 questions)

• Part 2: A monologue related to everyday life (10 questions)

• Part 3: A discussion between 3–4 people on academic or training topics (10 questions)

• Part 4: A lecture or academic monologue (10 questions)

To score Band 6.0+, you need around 23–25 correct answers. Parts 1 and 2 are generally easier, as the topics are more familiar and the vocabulary is less complex.

Recommended Target per Part:

• Part 1: 9–10 correct answers

• Part 2: 9–10 correct answers

• Part 3 and 4: 5–7 correct answers

Since you get only one chance to listen and one minute to read the questions beforehand, building a strong foundation for Parts 1 and 2 is essential before progressing to Parts 3 and 4 and eventually full test simulations.

Listening practice should be done daily. This skill is considered one of the easiest to score high in IELTS. Develop both active and passive listening habits to improve your comprehension:

• Active Listening: Focus fully on the audio, understand the content, and take notes to enhance memory and understanding.

• Passive Listening: Listen without the need to understand every word. This method helps with subconscious absorption and pronunciation. Combine it with reading transcripts to improve recognition.

Recommended Sources:

• TED Talks: Over 3000 videos covering various topics.

• Podcasts: Google Podcast, VOA Learning English, Vietnam Innovators, Podcast in English.

• YouTube Channels: IELTS IDP Vietnam, IELTS Face-Off, I’m Mary (passive listening), Shark Tank US, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Before starting your preparation, define a clear overall band goal and Listening target. It’s best to aim slightly above your current level to stay motivated. Break large goals into smaller tasks with deadlines.

Example: If you're currently at Band 4.0 and want to reach Band 6.0 in 3 months, plan a roadmap that includes raising your Listening from Band 5.0 to 6.5 in stages, such as learning 100 new words every two days.

Use a daily To-Do List and reward yourself after completing each small task to stay consistent.

Relying only on "IELTS hacks" found online will not help you improve your core English skills. IELTS Listening requires real comprehension, which is also essential for future communication. Instead of memorizing shortcuts, focus on learning vocabulary, understanding sentence structure, and practicing more.

These two techniques are extremely effective for identifying important information during the test.

Tips:

• Preview questions and underline keywords before the recording starts.

• During the audio, jot down critical words like names, places, times, or figures.

• Use abbreviations to keep pace with the recording.

• Practice 30 minutes daily, gradually increasing audio speed.

Note-taking and underlining not only improve listening skills but are also helpful in real-life scenarios such as meetings, lectures, and group discussions.

Dictation, or listening and writing down exactly what you hear, is a powerful language learning technique. It helps improve both comprehension and vocabulary retention.

Steps:

• Choose 3–5 minute audio clips from reliable sources (e.g., TED, BBC, IELTS books).

• Listen and write down what you hear, pausing after each sentence or 5–10 words.

• Compare your notes with the transcript and correct mistakes.

• Listen 3–5 more times to reinforce pronunciation and understanding.

Regular dictation practice will boost your listening accuracy and vocabulary range, which is crucial for Band 6.0+.

Focus is key to effective listening. Without it, you may miss important information or misunderstand the question.

Focus Tips:

• Eliminate distractions, especially smartphones and unnecessary apps.

• Study in a quiet, well-lit environment.

• Maintain physical well-being: get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise.

• Try listening with instrumental music in the background, take short breaks every 30 minutes, and avoid multitasking.

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8.1 Recommended Books:

• Cambridge IELTS Series: Contains real past exams.

• Collins Listening for IELTS: Ideal for Band 5.0 and above with 12 units covering all question types.

• Complete IELTS: Offers levels from Band 4.0 to 7.5. Use the 5.0–6.5 book if your target is Band 6.0+.

8.2 Recommended Websites:

• BBC Learning English: Great for short and repeatable audios.

• IELTS Listening Test: Updated weekly with diverse topics.

• Elllo.org: Audio and video lessons with 2500+ resources.

• Listen-and-write: Great for dictation with easy-to-follow daily content.

• Breaking News English: Offers interactive listening tasks and vocabulary by topic and level.

8.3 Mobile Apps:

• IELTS by IDP: Free access to 400+ IELTS videos, free mock tests, and tips.

• 6 Minute English: Quick listening practice with vocab lists and quiz.

• VOA (Voice of America): Offers news and podcast-style English listening content with transcript and dictionary support.

One month before your exam, start practicing full-length mock tests. Choose official test centers like IDP or practice at home using online platforms.

Mock exams will help you:

• Get familiar with test conditions

• Practice time management

• Identify strengths and weaknesses

• Apply listening techniques in real context

Improving your IELTS Listening to Band 6.0 requires consistent practice, the right resources, and smart techniques like note-taking, underlining, and dictation. Stay committed, practice daily, and you will see progress. Good luck with your preparation!