An IELTS Study Plan can help you when you are confused about how to start preparing for IELTS and how to organise your time.
No matter how much or how little time you have to prepare, these IELTS Study Plans will guide you so you can prepare well for the IELTS Speaking Test.
Below there are study plans for
- 2 days
- 1 week
- 1 month
- 2 months
Download Your IELTS Study Plan PDF
Table of Contents
How to Prepare for IELTS
There are 2 things you need to work on to prepare for IELTS
1. Improving your overall level of English
2. Getting a good understanding of how the test works, and practicing test questions.
For most students the most important of these is the first, their overall level of English.
I suggest spending about 30% of your time on exam technique and 70% developing your language skills.
Unfortunately, most students do the opposite! They spend most time looking for tips, and focussing on exam technique.
That’s a bit like focusing all your time on the wrapping of a present rather than the actual gift. The actual gift, I mean your language ability, is the most important.
If your language foundation is missing, it takes longer to reach your desired score!
Start your IELTS Preparation with a Mock Test
The first step I would recommend everybody is to do a mock test, so you can know your present level.
Then if you know you have a Band 6 level now, and say your goal is Band 7, then you have a lot of work to do on improving your language.
One service I recommend for mock tests is Preptical. They offer different packages and you can get a 10% discount with the the link above.
How much time do I need to prepare for IELTS?
For All 4 Skills
If your language level is already at the level your need, then you could probably prepare for IELTS in 6 to 8 weeks (studying 2-3 hours a day), mainly focusing on understanding the test and doing test practice.
This is for all 4 skills.
If your language level is not at the level you need, then your first focus should be to improve your overall level of English first.
Cambridge Assessment suggest it takes approximately 200 guided learning hours to move up one level on the CEFR (which is approximately one band on IELTS).
This might take 9 months to improve one band on IELTS, studying 6 hours a week.
It might take 10 weeks to improve one band on IELTS, studying 20 hours a week.
This is approximate and it also depends on,
- your language learning background
- how aptitude for language learning
- your exposure and engagement with English outside of ‘lessons’
So, if you are at band 6 level, you may need around 200 hours to move to a band 7.
After that you will also need to work 6 to 8 weeks on understanding the test and doing test practice.
IELTS Speaking Skill
If you already have the level of English, you could probably learn exam technique in one week.
I would also suggest you follow this with one week of intense exam practice.
Study Plans for IELTS Speaking
My focus here is on preparing for IELTS Speaking.
First of all, I will say, I am a big fan of following a course, because a course gives you,
- Guided learning
- Combination of improving overall language and exam technique
- Organisation of materials
- A systematic approach to study
However, not everyone can buy a course, and so, as a believer that everyone should have equal access to quality education, I have developed these study plans.
Here we have 4 different study plans to prepare for IELTS Speaking, depending on how much time you have.
Just remember if you only have 2 days, or one week to prepare, you will not improve your English level in that time.
In one or two months then yes, you can start to make some significant improvements in your overall level, as well as exam technique.
How to Use the Study Plans
- Choose the right study plan for you, depending on how much time you have to prepare for the IELTS Speaking test.
- Download the plan you need below.
- Choose a regular time and place where you are going to follow your plan everyday. It is really helpful to choose the same time and even the same place in your house where you will study everyday; this helps develop the study habit and it is easier to keep to.
- Follow the instructions in the plan (click on the links to find videos and resources) and tick off each activity when you have completed it.
- Use the Learning Cycle below to help you learn better and more effectively.
This is how the Learning Cycle works:
- Typically, you see me using or presenting some new words in a video
- You can pause the video and repeat those words
- Make a note of how to use those words (collocations, prepositions, word form e.g. noun)
- Try to make your own sentences with the word
- Each day or at the end of the week, review these new words and test yourself.
Download Your IELTS Study Plan PDF
Summary
Remember, there is no ‘best’ way to prepare for IELTS.
Everyone learns in a different way.
Some people are independent and talented at learning languages and can do 100% self-study.
Other students may need a tutor some of the time, or even all of the time. That’s fine, know yourself, and then choose the path best suited to you and your learning style.
Overall, you will do well if you,
- spend time with the language
- notice things
- take notes
- practice lots
I hope you enjoy your IELTS Study Plan, and let us know in the comments below which one you have chosen and what you think of it.
Let’s share ideas and learn together as a community to become Successful IELTS Speakers!
53 thoughts on “IELTS Study Plans: Free PDFs”
i want to start right now and i have maximum 6-month time. with you plan i will pass the exam. thanks for your help.
Good luck, I am sure you can do it!
Hey Keith, I’m a big fan
I wonder if there is any way I can get the PDF or PowerPoint slides of your YouTube videos. I can’t write anything due to my injury and I’m quite sad that I can’t write the points and lessons to review later. I have found some of the video materials on the website but not all of them.
Most of the PDFs are available for free on my website here: https://keithspeakingacademy.com/ielts-speaking-free-live-lessons/
and here: https://keithspeakingacademy.com/blog/
Hi Keith ,
In my last attempt, I got 6.5 band in speaking. Now,I am preparing exam again.This time I wanna get 7.0 Band in speaking. There is 0.5 band below . How I can reach to that point and second of all , how much time i have to given ?
I hope you’ll reply my msg.
Well im not Keith but he answered all of your questions right on this page
“Study Plans for IELTS Speaking”
“How much time do I need to prepare for IELTS?”
you should read it again 😉
Hello Keith I found you recently your lesson brilliant and useful.But I couldn’t find your study plan for listening and reading
I only have study plans for IELTS Speaking.
HELLO SIR.
I dont see where i can check my English level now (mock test) despite the fact that i dont enter an IELTS TEST yet. so am wondering how could i know my overall language?. and i have one month for perparing that full course. so please response me.
You could get a rough idea of your level (at least language knowledge) with this test – https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/general-english/
hello
Hello Mr.Keith,
I am not one of your regular student, my name is Navid, from Iran. I enjoyed your videos a lot and with your teaching, I got 7 in Ielts speaking recently. Thank you a lot and good luck. it is my pleasure to know you and I am going to continue watching & listening your videos and guidance.
Best regards,
Navid
Congratulations Navid on your Band 7!
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Thank you teacher.
You are very welcome!
Could you give a list of vocabulary which is used for IELTS writing? Thanks in advance!
This is no list of vocabulary needed for IELTS (speaking or writing), you just need to build as a wide a range of vocabulary as possible, and make sure you can use it as effectively as possible.
Hy this is sujanthapamagar frm nepal preparing ielts for skilled workers general ielts
Hello – thanks for sharing and good luck!
Hello Keith,
For starters, I’d like to tell you that your methodology is a real Gem; and I’m weighing each word I’m saying, especially for those who may be a bit skeptical when it comes to learning the English language. I’m much obliged to you for your peculiar (funny) yet educational process to convey the meaning throughout all of your courses be it on YouTube, Udemy or even on your website.
I reckon that it’s a no brainer that your style of teaching is the secret that lies behind the success of your live lessons, videos and that. I do believe that learning a language is akin being on a trip; a whole journey where each day is a new opportunity to learn a bit more. It’s not solely about the IELT’s test, something you try to get it over and done with. I wish that you would see your community growing in the upcoming days, months and even years.
PS. I wouldn’t say that I’m a big fan of Kahoot, so I suggest that you interpolate a new section instead :). Though I admit that you’re aiming at bringing your lessons changes for the better every time without fail.
Wish you much success in your further career. Break a leg LOL.
Hi, thank you so much for your comment, it is very motivating for me!
I also take on board what you say about Kahoot, I am always thinking of new things to do in the classes, so I hope to introduce new ideas in coming months, and as you say, hopefully, coming years! 😉
Brilliantly written and needless to say this blog is worth its weight in gold. Your thoughts resonate with mine and this is the exact advice I have been dishing out. The sad part of reality is, people are looking for a quick fix at language proficiency which is impossible! Thanks for putting this up.
Wow, thanks for your comment and yes, it seems we are on the same page. Let’s keep teaching and helping! All the best, Keith
Hi Sir!
Good day,
This is Agnes if ever I will enrol here. How much 2-3 months. I want to learn more about English specially grammar, writing and speaking skills.
Hi Agnes,
First of all, I just focus on Speaking skills, not writing. I have 2 courses and you can get all details here:
Fluency for IELTS Speaking: https://www.udemy.com/course/fluency-for-ielts-speaking/?couponCode=9F1FD9FLUWEBMAR9
IELTS Speaking Success – Get a Band 7+: https://www.udemy.com/course/ielts-speaking-success-get-a-band-7/?couponCode=B42B10BAND7WEBMAR9
The Fluency course will help with grammar and fluency. The other course is a more complete course to prepare for IELTS Speaking.
Thank you sir , it helps me to reach my goal.
Delighted to hear that – and so glad I can help!
Thank you very much Keith. I really appreciate all your help.
Regards from Huelva, Spain.
My pleasure – hope it helps Cornelia!
Very informative material.learned a lot through ur YouTube channel.nice work sir.
Pleased to hear that – and so glad I can help!
Thank you so much teacher
You are excellent👌👌
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much sir for your efforts. I’m so glad to receive this email from you. It is very useful for my ielts preparation.
You are very welcome!
Am on and on on I go
Enjoy your study!😁
Thank you very much /SirMr. Keith! It really help me a lot and everyday I apply your plan and strategy! Keep it up!
Great – you too, keep going, and you will reach your goal!
Thank you so much for this great job you are offering.
My pleasure and so glad you like it.
My Name is Inderpreet Singh. I want to improve my ielts score in one month
Thanks
Brilliant – thanks for sharing and best of luck!
Thank you teacher.
You are vey welcome!
HI
Mr keith
for sending this email to me.
thanks o lot
Zahra Taherkhani from IRAN
No problem Zahra, I hope the emails and materials are helping
Speaking, writing
Hi Keith, I have found you recently and I watched some your videos. Thanks to you I understood that I should pay more attention for my General English. Thanks great for your hard works, you are amazing) Can you reply for my some questions ,please ?
1) how i should watch your videos to improve my speaking? Is it enough just watching your videos and learning words for topics?
2) I’m gonna undergo the exam on February, so I have over3 months , it will be better if I focus on my General English in 2 months and the last month I will just focus on the techniques of exam? What do you think? Besides that I am preparing for the exam , in cource in our country. I’m gonna study abroad so university requirement over 7 band, that’s why I should get at least seven band. Please Keith reply to me, your answers and tips are very important to me🙏🙏.
As well as watching, I would make notes of useful phrases, and then try to practice using them.
I think your idea of spending 2 months on general English and 1 month on exam technique is perfect.
Wish you lots of luck!
Keith