Dman. i took the ielts test about 18 mths ago . I managed to get 8.5 and above in all the tests to gain the maximum 20 pts. Putting your name in the correct place on the paper will more or less get you the 5 pts.!!! Unless you are completely stupid you will get 10pts at the minimum. Half the people at Rugby college where i took the test couldnt speak a sentence of english.. Download the test papers from years gone by, and practise .
In the listening test where you are listen to a tape whilst answering multi choice questions, if you miss an answer just carry on listening and answer the following questions, and dont panic. I was sat next to a teacher , who did miss a question, and by time she realised what was happening she had fell behind in the following questions.
The oral test, they give you a subject and you have to talk about it for a few minutes. i got a stupid subject about did the internet an influence to the elderly !! The teacher had to talk about her favourite sports team.!! All they want is for you to speak coherantly, with your words in context.
For the written part ( 2 or 3 different parts to this), Learn how to write a letter correctly as this comes up nearly every time. same with writing on the topic provided. i.e start-middle-finish
The test is really not hard at all , just dont be nervous !!!