Memorising Answers for IELTS? Don’t Do This

Never memorize speaking or writing answers in IELTS, such as whole essays or chunks of sentences. Some students think that they master this test after memorizing scripted answers and use it in the test. But examiners can easily spot it and reduce your score.

In case, if you receive a question that you are not prepared for, then you will be nervous in the test. So, memorising is not a practical solution. It is a bad idea that you must avoid in IELTS.

Should You Memorize Speaking Answers?

Memorisation is the approach to tackle the speaking test, but it poses some challenges. It is a bad idea that students should avoid. You should not Memorise answers. To understand why you need to avoid this, let us take a given example.

Task

"Do people in your country use public transport or private transport?"

Response A (memorised)

Australia is a diverse country, and because of hectic schedules, people use different types of transport options. Just like in my hometown, it has all facilities such as taxis, buses and trains. So people prefer to use public transport rather than private transport.

Response B (Natural response)

“Hmmm. It’s hard to say, because it depends on whether you are based in a small town or large city. I suppose in the countryside, people depend on their own cars, because I have to admit, there are barely any services put on for them at all.

In the big cities, like Melbourne, there are various options for public transport and the roads are so jammed with cars, that catching a bus, or a train will be less problematic. Not sure about trams though, as they move along at a snail’s pace, I would say.”

In response A, some of the memorized information does not match to question well, unlike response B. In the first response, it is not clear why being a diverse country is connected to public transport, these facts can also be linked to private transport. Also, this question is about people in your country, there is no need to talk about all facilities in your hometown. So there is a big problem with unclear answers that arise when you memorize it. It also does not match the question.

If we look at response B, it emphasizes some words and expresses the real knowledge. It talks naturally without planning, and sounds better in front of an examiner because you use more rhythm, stress and intonation.

Should I Memorize IELTS Writing Answers?

No, you should not memorize the writing answers. The people who prefer memorization can use the same sentences for different writing questions, but there are risks in it. Let us check with the given example.

Task

Some people think it is good for primary school children to have a mobile phone to take everyday to school. Do you agree with this statement or not?

Response A (memorised)

Mobile phones are used widely in our lives. Some people claim that it is useful for primary school children to bring one with them daily, while others oppose this claim and challenge the notion. I am a supporter of this view, and the following paragraphs will explain the arguments and provide a plausible conclusion.

Response B (natural response)

Carrying phones to school is common these days, and some people have suggested that primary school learners possess one, take it with them to school each day. This essay explains why this view is justified for family and safety coordination issues.

The Risk of Memorising Answers

You must be aware of the risks of Memorising Answers and why examiners spot it and give you a low score. As we know, the IELTS test is conducted to test your ability to communicate in English naturally, not to recite lines you have learned.

If you use memorised answers, then it comes as unnatural. Examiners are well-trained to detect repetition or over-practiced phrases and reduce fluency and coherence scores in speaking. If your ideas sound forced or generic, then it also impacts your writing band

Another risk is that memorised responses do not prepare you for unexpected questions asked in tests. In speaking, the examiner asks follow ups questions and topic variations you didn't expect. If you memorise the few answers, then you may struggle or freeze to respond properly. It lowers your score and confidence.

So memorised answers give you a false sense of security. You may feel ready because you have rehearsed dozens of responses, but the reality is that your ability to think on foot and construct sentences is what matters actually. Without this skill, you feel pressure in tests and lose your concentration.

Memorising answers may be a shortcut for test takers, but in IELTS, it does not work. The exam rewards your ability to think critically, communicate naturally and use English flexibly. By focusing on fluency, vocabulary and ideas, you can develop real skills and achieve the desired band score.