Some students ask if they can get a band 9 using "Firstly, Secondly, Finally".

Is the phrase "First and foremost" better than "Firstly"?

The answer is NO.

Using simple organising language like "Firstly, Secondly" makes you focus on the REAL CONTENT of what you are writing - topic vocabulary, collocations, examples. This is what the examiner wants to see.

Spend your time preparing ideas, opinions and examples for IELTS topics, not learning alternative ways to write "Firstly".