Thanks for your article a lot! I'm preparing for IELTS too and I'm having the test in a couple of days. Once I did get bands 8 and 7.5 in the official reading and listening mock tests respectively and this is a similar experience, we used the same method too. And I have the same feeling as yours, this comment is just for sharing. It is really frustrated to study English for IELTS, you gotta be back on your feet over and over again. And you did it. The best wish for you and your future, good luck.