One of the main differences between a Band 7+ candidate and a lower-level candidate is the ability to use a range of grammatical structures. Lower-level candidates tend to repeat the same simple tenses all the time (e.g. present simple, present continuous, will + infinitive) and they often use them incorrectly.

If you want to get a high band in the IELTS Speaking test, you have to show that you can use a variety of grammatical structures. Many candidates try to use the present perfect tense because they think it will help them get them a high band -- but they often use it incorrectly. In this post we will look at four wrong ways to use the present perfect.