Why Memorized Language Can Hurt Your IELTS Score

Relying on memorized language can significantly reduce your IELTS score.

Examiners are trained to spot rehearsed answers, making your responses seem unnatural and robotic. Tutorials, podcasts, and websites which give you lists of words to use, or templates (to cut and paste from the questions) may drag your score down to 5 or 6 because they don’t provide enough natural, spontaneously generated language for the examiner to positively award a high band score.

Examiners must not mark memorized language. If part of your first paragraph in the essay is copied from the question, as commonly instructed by IELTS cowboy schools, IELTS examiners are instructed to erase it from the test and deduct words.

If they suspect a template, they can mark it down for lacking personality (lexical resource) and/or not addressing the question but rather ranting on the topic (task achievement). An IELTS essay should show the writer’s voice and personality, not just facts. It is not a report, it in an opinion or discussion essay.

For instance, if you use a world like ‘plethora’ in the wrong context that is also an indication of band score 5 (while if it was well used it could be an indication of an 8). I’ve heard candidate say they have a plethora of friends- that is a 5 because the word has been used out of context. So, don’t just use words some Youtuber ‘expert’ tells you are a 9.

Memorized monologues often lead to rushed speech, poor pronunciation, and repetition, further lowering scores. Avoid memorizing and focus on genuine language use to succeed.

Let me know you experience with memorised words and templates. In my next blog I will give you tips for vocab for IELTS & PTE.