At a glance
| Week | Focus | Daily tasks (about 2 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Understand the test | Learn the format and band scores, one Reading question type a day, one Task 1 report, 10 minutes of speaking |
| Week 2 | Reading and Listening | One Reading passage and one Listening part a day, review every wrong answer, start an error list |
| Week 3 | Writing and Speaking | One Task 2 essay a day with feedback, Task 1 every other day, record one cue card answer |
| Week 4 | Timed practice | Full timed sections, one complete practice test, revise your error list, rest the day before the test |
1Days 1 to 7: learn the test
Read the format and band score pages first. Then spend each day on one Reading question type, starting with True False Not Given and Matching Headings. Write one Task 1 report this week so you know the structure.
2Days 8 to 14: Reading and Listening
Do one Reading passage and one Listening part a day under timed conditions. For each wrong answer, write a one-line reason in your error list: misread, distractor, spelling, word limit or ran out of time.
3Days 15 to 21: Writing and Speaking
Write one Task 2 essay a day and get it checked by someone with strong English. Record yourself answering one cue card a day and listen back for repeated words and long pauses.
4Days 22 to 30: timed practice and review
Take full timed sections and at least one complete practice test. Spend more time reviewing than testing. Go through your error list every day. Take the last day before the test off.
5If you work full time
Split the two hours: 45 minutes before work for Reading or Listening, and an hour in the evening for Writing. Use your commute for vocabulary review and speaking practice in your head. Six days a week is enough. Rest on the seventh.
Up next
Reading & Writing diagnostic
A short check of where you stand
Written by the AdmitVerse team. Last reviewed on . AdmitVerse is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council or IDP. For official rules and test dates, see ielts.org.