Key takeaways
- Thirty days is enough to improve technique and timing, but not to transform your English. Focus on the skills that give the quickest gains.
- Take a full diagnostic test on day 1 so you know where marks are lost.
- Practise every skill every week, with extra time on your weakest one.
- Finish with two full timed tests under exam conditions.
If your IELTS test is a month away, a clear plan matters more than the number of hours. In 30 days you can learn the format, fix the habits that lose marks and build stamina for a three hour exam. You will not add a large new vocabulary in that time, so the plan below focuses on technique, timing and accuracy, which respond quickly to practice.
Day 1: find your starting point
Take one complete practice test in each skill under timed conditions: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Mark Listening and Reading honestly, and compare your Writing and Speaking with the notes on each question. Write down the two question types or habits that cost you the most marks in each skill. Our IELTS practice tests cover all four skills.
A four week plan
| Week | Focus | Daily work (about 2 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Format and technique | One Listening section, one Reading passage, one Task 1 or Task 2 outline, ten minutes of speaking practice |
| Week 2 | Weakest skill | Double time on the weakest skill, keep the others ticking over |
| Week 3 | Timing | Full timed sections every day, review every mistake |
| Week 4 | Exam conditions | Two full mock tests, light review, rest before test day |
Listening
- Use the preview time to underline keywords and predict answer types.
- Practise spelling of names, numbers and places, which are common in Section 1.
- After each section, sort mistakes into missed answers, distractors, spelling and wrong form. Our guide on reviewing Listening mistakes shows how.
Reading
- Spend about 20 minutes per passage and move on from hard questions.
- Learn skimming and scanning, explained in our skimming and scanning guide.
- Practise True, False, Not Given and matching headings separately, since they need different methods.
Writing
- Task 1: always write an overview. See how to write a Task 1 overview, or the letter guide for General Training.
- Task 2: identify the essay type and plan for five minutes. The essay types guide covers each structure.
- Write one full Task 2 essay every two days and check it against the four criteria.
Speaking
- Answer out loud every day, with a timer: 20 to 30 seconds in Part 1, two minutes in Part 2, 30 to 45 seconds in Part 3.
- Record yourself once a week and listen for pauses and flat intonation.
- Use the speaking flashcards for daily practice, and see what examiners listen for.
The last three days
- Do not take a new full test the day before. Review your mistake notes instead.
- Check the test centre address, start time and identification documents.
- Sleep well. Fatigue costs more marks than a missed revision session.
Frequently asked questions
Can I improve my band score in 30 days?
Many candidates improve by half a band to one band in a month by fixing technique and timing, but the gain depends on your starting level and how much you practise.
Should I study all four skills or only my weakest?
All four. Spend extra time on the weakest, but keep the others in practice so they do not slip.
How many practice tests should I take in a month?
About four to six full tests, with careful review of each, is enough. Reviewing well matters more than the number of tests.
Is Academic or General Training easier to prepare for in a month?
Take the version your university, employer or immigration route requires. Our guide to Academic or General Training explains the differences.