IELTS study plan for the time you have

A plan for each timeline, from more than three months to less than one, with what to work on first.

The first page of the IELTS study plan PDF

What's in the guide

7 pages in 6 parts. Find the part you need, then turn to its page.

Know your starting point
Five questions to answer before you plan: your level, your target, your time, your hours and your main problem.
Page 2
More than three months
Build your English first, then learn the tasks, then add time limits.
Page 3
Around three months
Find your weak points, work on each task, then take full mock tests.
Page 4
Around one month
Pick two or three things to fix, and practise them against the clock.
Page 5
Less than one month
Decide what can change before test day, and check your test-day details.
Page 6
Your weekly review
Five questions to ask yourself at the end of each week.
Page 7

Tips from the guide

Start with evidence. If writing feels weakest, find out what holds it back: ideas, order, vocabulary, grammar or time.
Keep a list of your mistakes. “I missed the paraphrase” tells you what to practise. “I got question 18 wrong” doesn't.
Two essays you rewrite after feedback can teach you more than five essays you never look at again.

A plan for one month

With four weeks left, you can't fix everything. Pick the few changes most likely to get you to your target.

From page 5 of the guide.

Week 1: find your priorities
Take a realistic practice test and compare it with your target. Choose two or three things to work on. If your reading is strong but your Task 2 ideas are thin, don't split your time evenly.
Week 2: work on your weak spots
Study strong answers and rewrite your own. Record your speaking and check how clear it is. In reading and listening, practise the question types where you keep losing marks.
Week 3: add time pressure
Practise with a timer. Check that your strategies still work when the clock is running, and keep getting feedback on writing and speaking.
Week 4: get ready
Take your last full practice test early. Go over the mistakes you keep making, check your test details and keep the last few days light. Don't learn new phrases at the last minute.

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Common questions

How long should I prepare for IELTS?

It depends on your level now, the band you need and the hours you have each week. Some students need months to build their English. Others are close to their target and need a few weeks of focused practice. The guide has a plan for each case.

Can I prepare for IELTS in one month?

Yes, if you're close to your target. Use the month to fix two or three weak points and practise against the clock. If you're far below your target, think about moving your test date. Taking the test again and again without fixing the cause costs money and time.

Should I take a full mock test every week?

Not at the start. First learn the tasks and build your English. Full mock tests matter most in the last weeks, when you practise under real test conditions and look for patterns in your mistakes.

Is the PDF free?

Yes. Enter your email and it downloads at once. Your email also opens a free Leap English Pathways account, where you can practise IELTS and get a band for every reading and listening test. Every PDF on this site is open to that account. Pro adds feedback on every speaking and writing answer.