Just wanted to share my story. Three years ago, when we started the whole process of CA at age 40, my score was 370, but I knew that was not everything. Tried all possible ways including SUV program, business stream, Atlantic pilot for NB and a hell a lot of other stuffs. Nothing worked out. Discussed with my employer for a transfer and landed here in Canada on work permit. With LMIA exempted ICT transfer, my score went to 420, but still no signs of light at the end of tunnel.
IELTS sucked me left to right for almost two years. For some reason, I never got 8777 and always ended up with one paper being 6.5. If all goes fine, I had other troubles like headphones not working or noise at outside the room (it was a hotel building), but I was determined that one day it will happen. I had started improving all papers with practice, except for writing. Subscribed to an online review teacher and started watching movies, reading novels day and night. After almost 20 attempts, I got that magic number 8/7/7.5/7. Now my score is 446, but holly molly, the target score is now >450. And my birthday is around the corner in two months!
Nevermind, looks like we are not done yet. Both I and my wife are gonna sit for ielts again, hoping to get another .5 in any of the papers. If she managed to get 7, then our score will go to 450 with me completing 3 years in Canada by then. Let's see !! Pray for us friends !!!