21 FEB 2026 – IELTS exam prediction

21 FEB 2026 – IELTS exam prediction (HARD LEVEL)

LRWS STRATEGY + DOs & DON’Ts**

LISTENING (Hard)

Expected Difficulty

• Fast pace

• Heavy paraphrasing

• Self-corrections

• Distractors in Parts 3 & 4

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Part 1 – Form / Sentence Completion

Likely contexts:

• Insurance enquiry

• Medical registration

• Contract changes

• Car rental details

How to Start (Strategy)

• Read questions before audio

• Predict word type (number / noun / name)

• Underline keywords

DOs

✔ Write answers as you hear them

✔ Use capital letters

✔ Check spelling of names & places

✔ Listen for corrections (“sorry, I meant…”)

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t wait for “perfect clarity”

✘ Don’t add articles (a / the)

✘ Don’t exceed word limit

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Part 2 – MCQ + Map Labelling

Likely topics:

• Campus expansion

• Transport hub redesign

• Science park layout

How to Start

• Look at the map first

• Fix north direction

• Identify landmarks (entrance, café, car park)

DOs

✔ Follow direction words: opposite, next to, beyond

✔ Cross out options once audio rejects them

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t assume direction from habit

✘ Don’t guess early

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Part 3 – Matching + MCQ (Trap Zone)

Likely themes:

• AI in education

• Psychology research

• Business innovation

How to Start

• Focus on opinions, not facts

• Track who agrees / disagrees

DOs

✔ Listen for attitude words: I doubt, I suppose, I disagree

✔ Match meaning, not keywords

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t follow names

✘ Don’t panic if opinions change

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Part 4 – Notes / Summary

Likely lectures:

• AI ethics

• Renewable energy

• Neuroscience

• Climate adaptation

How to Start

• Predict noun form

• Expect paraphrasing

DOs

✔ Write singular/plural carefully

✔ Stick to word limit

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t change word form

✘ Don’t add grammar

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READING (Hard)

Time Control

• Passage 1 – 15 min

• Passage 2 – 20 min

• Passage 3 – 25 min

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Passage 1 – T/F/NG + Matching Info

Themes:

• Automation

• Data privacy

• Workplace mental health

DOs

✔ TRUE = same meaning

✔ FALSE = opposite meaning

✔ NOT GIVEN = missing info

✔ Read 2 lines above & below keyword

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t use outside knowledge

✘ Don’t assume

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Passage 2 – Headings + Sentence Completion

Themes:

• Education policy

• Urban sustainability

• Public health systems

DOs

✔ Read first & last sentence only for headings

✔ Predict grammar before filling blanks

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t match headings by keywords

✘ Don’t read full paragraphs

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Passage 3 – Summary + MCQs (Danger Zone)

Themes:

• AI & cognition

• Genetics

• Climate modelling

DOs

✔ Eliminate 3 wrong options

✔ Look for extreme words (always / never)

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t choose from “feeling”

✘ Don’t rush

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WRITING (Hard)

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Academic Task 1

Likely visuals:

• Two-chart combo

• Table

• Process diagram

Structure

Intro → Overview → Body 1 → Body 2

DOs

✔ Clear overview (highest, lowest, trend)

✔ Group data logically

✔ Compare, don’t list

DON’Ts

✘ No opinions

✘ No conclusion

✘ No copied words from question

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GT Task 1 – Formal Letter

Likely types:

• Complaint

• Request

DOs

✔ Clear purpose in first line

✔ Formal tone throughout

DON’Ts

✘ No slang

✘ No emojis

✘ No missing sign-off

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Task 2 – Essays (Hard Types)

Likely formats:

• Discuss both views + Agree disagree 

• Problem / Solution

• Two-part question

Likely topics:

• AI replacing teachers

• Data privacy

• Climate migration

• Mental health & work pressure

DOs

✔ Clear opinion in introduction

✔ One idea per paragraph

✔ Real examples (not fake stats)

DON’Ts

✘ Don’t sit on the fence

✘ Don’t repeat ideas

✘ Don’t overuse idioms

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SPEAKING (Hard)

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Part 1 (Jan–April 2026: 1–70)

DOs

✔ Answer + reason + detail

✔ 3–4 lines only

DON’Ts

✘ No yes/no answers

✘ No memorised lines

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Part 2 (Cue Cards 1–68)

Structure

Past → Detail → Feeling → Result

DOs

✔ Use 2 idioms max

✔ Stay natural

DON’Ts

✘ No list-style speaking

✘ No overacting

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Part 3 (Abstract Follow-ups)

DOs

✔ Compare past vs present

✔ Give reasons + example

DON’Ts

✘ No one-line answers

✘ No personal stories only