What's the right study plan for IELTS preparation?

How to prepare for IELTS?

Candidates should start their preparation from the day they register and book their slot for the exam. To prepare for IELTS, the suitable time to begin the IELTS exam preparation is around 6 to 8 weeks prior or at least 30 days before it. Some trainers recommend that candidates study for 3 to 4 hours daily, even on weekdays and weekends, to prepare for IELTS.

One of the common problems of the candidates is time distribution for each section in IELTS preparation, as it has four modules, and IELTS preparation requires a lot of time for every module. This blog section will explore how much time is needed in each module to prepare for the IELTS exam.

The time needed for the listening module

The listening module is divided into 4 sections with 10 questions. The difficulty level increases at every section, so the candidate must listen carefully as the entire exam lasts about 40 minutes. Most candidates need help in this listening section as there is no option to replay, so they must listen to it carefully. One must know the different English accents to avoid difficulty in the exam. Furthermore, some points are mentioned here to prepare better for the IELTS listening section.

• In the first section, you will hear about a general topic or a conversation of 2 people.

• In the second section, you need to focus on factual information because you will hear about any general event or a monologue.

• In the third section, the candidate must note the factual information and the speaker's opinions because you will hear 2 or more people talking about an event or academic subject.

• In the fourth section, you will hear a talk by a speaker on any academic topic of a lecture. Here, you need to listen to the main ideas in the conversation.

Point to prepare for the IELTS listening section

• Hear and try to pay attention to understand and differentiate between British and American English.

• While you practice for the exam, think like you are sitting to take the exam at the centre.

• Listen to as many audio series as possible, such as English news, plays, podcasts, book recordings, and other mediums.

The time needed for the writing module

The writing module's first section is a letter, and the second section is writing an essay, depending on the topic they provide. It is advisable to spend the first 40 minutes on the second section and the rest 20 minutes on the first section. Moreover, some points must be considered in order to prepare for the IELTS writing section.

• The writing module consists of two different text types, which last for 60 minutes. 

• The first writing section is based on image information, and the candidate needs to write down what they understand from the image after seeing it in 150 words.

• The second writing section is more manageable and longer than the first one. In this section, you must write down your idea from the topic you get within 250 words. Candidate must write their points clearly with various examples.

Point to prepare for the IELTS writing section

• Understand the structure of writing.

• To develop a habit of writing on time, try to write every day and ask someone to proofread it for you so that you can improve your skills.

• Get the IELTS material or writing and practice them.

The time needed for the reading module

The reading module has 40 questions, and the duration of completion of this module candidate is 1 hour. However, one can get similar questions in both academic and general training, but the topic varies. However, if you can do well in the reading section without more preparation, you can invest the rest of the time in any of the 3 sections you find hard to do. In addition, a few points are given below that one should remember to prepare for the IELTS reading section.

• To prepare for the IELTS reading module, candidates must read journals, newspapers, books, magazines, etc.

• The IELTS typical training pattern syllabus focuses on everyday English usage. For IELTS preparation, candidates should go through advertisements, newspapers and handbooks.

• The academic and general sections cover questions like sentence completion, MCQs, match headings and match information, short-answer questions, and much more.

Read More: - William Henry Perkin - IELTS Reading Answers

Point to prepare for the IELTS reading section.

• Candidates should figure out whether they want to join IELTS classes or they can prepare themselves by self-studying.

• Try to practice mocks on IELTS reading.

• Always check what kind of study material is helpful for you.

• Remember to check your reading ability of yours. If you need more time, start preparing early for the reading module.

• Constantly check the reading syllabus to keep updated with the latest readings.

The time needed for the speaking module

The speaking module is divided into 3 parts. It mainly lasts 15 minutes and consists of an interview between the candidate and the IELTS trainer. Furthermore, there are some points that one can prepare well for the IELTS speaking section.

• In the first part, candidates are asked a series of questions about their work, experience, family, interests, etc.

• In the second part, the candidate is provided with a task card, and after that, they are allowed to choose to talk about a topic for 2 minutes. After that, the examiner asked one or two questions to complete the task.

• In the third and final part, the candidate has to answer the questions linked from part 2 and elaborate on them more theoretically; this part of the module lasts for 5 minutes.

Point to prepare for the IELTS speaking section

• Try to speak with a neutral accent.

• Read good-quality materials and read them out loud.

• Try to avoid filler use when you talk.

• Practice speaking with someone who can be a family member or friend.

How much time does it take for IELTS Exam preparation?

There is no perfect time to start preparing for your exam; the more time you give yourself for the IELTS preparation, the higher the chances that you will score well. However, it is suggested that candidates start preparing for an exam in 4 months, but some candidates start preparing even earlier than 6 months.

Some candidates feel that a 15-day time period is enough for them, while others may take more time to prepare for the examination as it is simply based on the level of the candidate's knowledge and skills. Candidates with decent English skills can work on a 5-month-long IELTS study plan, whereas candidates with an advanced level of English might need only one or two months for IELTS preparation.

TimeTable: IELTS study plan

Below is the one-week timetable that has been created for you. You can make changes to it according to your preference and suitability. It is a template to help you structure a week for IELTS preparation.

Advantages of the IELTS Study Plan

There are many advantages when you create a study plan for your IELTS exam preparation, as it helps you to know how much the IELTS course duration is and how much time you need for the IELTS preparation. 

The following are the benefits which you can get:-

1. You will learn which module you are good at and which you must work on.

2. You will get an idea of where you can start from.

3. You can get to know about your progress.

4. You can give yourself more time to practise mocks.

5. All this will eventually lead you to worry less if you plan and implement it successfully.

Conclusion

From this blog, we sum up that candidates should have complete knowledge about the IELTS course duration, IELTS preparation time, how they can make an IELTS study plan and so on, which can help them achieve success on their first attempt. However, candidates can always retake their exam but avoid repeating the mistake they made earlier while making their first attempt.

If you want complete knowledge about IELTS preparation and are considering appearing for the IELTS exam and want to plan your test strategically, we recommend you sign up for our IELTS Courses designed by our experts. Please contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors if you need further guidance. Our team of education experts is dedicated to assisting you in the best possible way for the IELTS exam. You can also get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.