“Every great success requires some kind of struggle, and good things really do come to those who work hard and struggle to pursue their goals and dreams they believe in.

-Lolly Daskal

If you’re a fellow aspiring UKRN (UK Registered Nurse) like me, you already know how crucial the IELTS Academic UKVI is in our journey. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires specific band scores before we can proceed to the full application process.

While the test is known to be challenging—especially the Writing module—let me share how I passed it in one take and what helped me along the way. 💪

📋 Updated IELTS Requirements

As of recently, the NMC accepts an IELTS certificate with the following:

• Writing: Minimum score of 6.5
• Listening, Reading, Speaking: Minimum score of 7.0
• Overall Band Score: At least 7.0

Yes—writing is the trickiest for most, and many take the exam multiple times. Thankfully, I hit the required scores on my first try. Here’s how I did it:

📌 Step 1: Set the Intention & Invest in Yourself

I resigned from my hospital job in October 2018 to fully focus on reviewing.
I enrolled at ACE Review Center for ₱5,000, which gave me unlimited review access for one year. Mahal, yes—but worth it.

Someone once told me:

“Great achievement is born of great sacrifice. Your level of investment often matches your level of success.”

And I held that close.

🧠 Step 2: Cultivate a Winning Mindset

Thanks to Lolly Daskal’s blog, I adopted these mindset-shifting beliefs:

• Trust yourself — success isn’t accidental, it’s created.
• Set bold goals and don’t stop until you reach them.
• Face your fears — growth lives on the other side of discomfort.
• Discipline > motivation — procrastination is the enemy.
• Be positive, not passive — give yourself permission to try.
• Struggle means you’re learning — keep going.
• What you think, you become.

These weren’t just affirmations. They became my daily reminders—literally posted on my wall during review days.

📖 Step 3: Know the Test Format Inside-Out

Whether you take the test through IDP or British Council, the format and scoring are essentially the same.

🔑 Key Tips:

• Don’t fall for myths (e.g., “IDP is harder”). I took mine with IDP because it was closest to me.
• Print the IELTS assessment criteria for Writing and Speaking.
• Read the “Information for Candidates” booklet from your test centre.
• Familiarize yourself with what examiners look for.

📚 Step 4: Build Real English Skills Daily

It’s not about memorizing tricks—it’s about living the language:

• Read books, articles, and editorials.
• Watch English content.
• Speak in English often (even with yourself!).
• Write essays, reflections, or mock letters.

Helpful Tips from Eton Institute:

✔ Record useful academic phrases
✔ Use monolingual dictionaries
✔ Don’t obsess over rare vocabulary
✔ Practice talking & writing about common topics
✔ Read English newspapers daily

🗓️ Step 5: Smart, Strategic Review Plan

I reviewed for 3 months and structured it around my learning style:

🗓️ November 2018:

• Day 1: Assessment test (100 items)
• Days 2–31: Daily lectures + strategy sessions at review center

🗓️ December 2018:

• MWF: Practice Tests (All Modules)
• TTH: Feedback & Coaching (Speaking + Writing)
• Saturday: Mock Exam
• Sunday: Rest + Church

🗓️ January 2019:

• Booked exam for February 2 (postponed from January due to Sinulog Festival)
• Continued same routine
• Church visit at Simala for prayer and guidance 🙏

📘 Module-Specific Tips

📖 Reading:

• Time each section: 20 minutes max
  • 16–17 mins: Answering
  • 3–4 mins: Transferring/checking
• Don’t panic if you don’t know every word
• It’s a vocabulary test—watch for synonyms & paraphrases
• Practice under both timed and untimed conditions
• Never leave blanks

✍️ Writing:

My weakest area—but I still made it through with a 6.5, the exact score I needed.

Tips that helped me:

• Practice timed writing to build speed
• Never write below the word limit
• Leave time to proofread and revise
• Know your common mistakes and watch out for them
• Plan your paragraphs before writing
• For Task 1: Focus on describing trends, not just the graph
• For Task 2: Analyze the question carefully & cover all parts

🛠 Go-To Resources

• IELTS Advantage
• IELTS Liz
• IELTS Fever
• IELTS Buddy

🎉 Results

🟢 Listening: 8.5
🟢 Reading: 7.5
🟢 Speaking: 7.0
🟡 Writing: 6.5
✅ Overall Band Score: 7.5

Final Thoughts

Success didn’t come from shortcuts. It came from sacrifice, strategy, and soul.
I studied smart, prayed hard, and believed in myself—even when I didn’t feel ready.

If I did it, so can you.
📍 Focus. Prepare. Surrender the rest.

With faith and fire,
AJ Gabriel
💌 UKRN in progress