IELTS Study Plans (4, 8, and 12 Weeks)
These plans provide a structured weekly schedule covering all four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Choose a plan based on your available time and starting level.
How to Choose a Plan
Match the plan to your timeframe and current level. If you have less time or are further from your target band, a longer plan gives more room for foundation work. Shorter plans assume you already have a solid base and need focused exam practice.
4-Week Plan
- Week 1 — Full practice test to baseline. Review format and band descriptors. Focus on Listening and Reading: one full section each, plus question-type review.
- Week 2 — Speaking: practise Parts 1–3 structure. Writing: Task 1 and Task 2 introductions, planning. Listening and Reading: timed sections.
- Week 3 — Full Writing Task 1 and Task 2 under timed conditions. Speaking: full Part 2 long turns. Listening and Reading: full tests.
- Week 4 — Full mock tests. Targeted revision on weak areas. Light practice to stay sharp before the test.
8-Week Plan
- Week 1 — Baseline test. Familiarise with format. Introduce all question types for Listening and Reading.
- Week 2 — Listening: full practice; Reading: timed sections. Speaking Part 1 practice. Writing: analyse model answers.
- Week 3 — Speaking Part 2 structure and practice. Writing Task 1 (Academic report or GT letter). Reading: full timed test.
- Week 4 — Writing Task 2: planning and full essays. Speaking Part 3. Listening: full test. Reading: focus on weak question types.
- Week 5 — Full Writing tests (Task 1 + Task 2). Full Speaking mock. Listening and Reading: timed practice.
- Week 6 — Integrated practice. Review band descriptors. Target weak areas across all skills.
- Week 7 — Full mock tests. Timed conditions. Detailed error analysis.
- Week 8 — Light revision. Final full test. Rest before test day.
12-Week Plan
Phased approach: foundation → build → exam readiness.
- Weeks 1–4 (Foundation) — Baseline test. Understand format and band descriptors. Build vocabulary and grammar. Introduce each skill: Listening and Reading question types; Speaking structure; Writing task types. Light timed practice.
- Weeks 5–8 (Build) — Full section practice for Listening and Reading. Full Speaking Part 1, 2, 3. Full Writing Task 1 and Task 2. Start full timed tests. Identify weak areas.
- Weeks 9–12 (Exam readiness) — Full mock tests under exam conditions. Targeted drills on weak areas. Review band descriptors. Light taper in final week.
Daily Routine Template
Adjust based on your plan and available time:
- 30 minutes — One skill focus (e.g. one Listening section, one Reading section, or short Speaking/Writing task).
- 60 minutes — Two skills or one full timed section. Include review of errors.
- 90 minutes — Full Listening or Reading test, plus short Writing or Speaking practice. End with error analysis.
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