IELTS 8-Week Study Plan (Comprehensive)
Duration: 8 weeks · Daily time: 2 h · Target: 7.0+
Who this plan is for
You have two months and want the thorough route: enough time to actually raise your English, not just your technique. 2 hours a day, sustainably.
The one principle
Input alone (memorizing words, watching lessons) stores knowledge; only OUTPUT (dictation, timed tests, speaking aloud, outlining) turns it into a band score. Every day below mixes both — never skip the output half.
The route
Tick tasks as you complete them — progress is saved on this device.
Phase 1 — Foundations (Weeks 1–2)
Baseline tests, daily dictation to rebuild the ear, reading without a timer to rebuild comprehension.
Move on when: Dictation of a Part 1/2 section with fewer than 5 errors; you know your baseline per skill.
Every day
Dictation drill: replay ONE section of a listening test you already sat, write down every word, then check yourself against the transcript. This trains the ear, not the memory→
20 minmust-do
One reading passage, timed by its question mix (2 types ≈ 16 min, 3 types ≈ 20, 4 types ≈ 25)→
25 minmust-do
Re-read yesterday's wrong answers: for each, say out loud WHY the right answer is right before checking the explanation
15 minmust-do
Within the phase
Sit one full listening test from the newest month — exam conditions, then mark it→
40 minmust-do
Sit one full reading test — 60 minutes strict, then mark it and read the explanations for every miss→
75 minmust-do
Scan this week's new exam recalls — note any 🔥 high-frequency questions in your skills→
10 minthis week
Phase 2 — Question Types (Weeks 3–4)
Every major format, one at a time, with targeted drills.
Move on when: No question type below 60% on drills.
Every day
One reading passage, timed by its question mix (2 types ≈ 16 min, 3 types ≈ 20, 4 types ≈ 25)→
25 minmust-do
Dictation drill: replay ONE section of a listening test you already sat, write down every word, then check yourself against the transcript. This trains the ear, not the memory→
20 minmust-do
Re-read yesterday's wrong answers: for each, say out loud WHY the right answer is right before checking the explanation
15 minmust-do
Within the phase
Study the True/False/Not Given format guide, then find that question type in a test and do just those questions→
25 minthis week
Study the Matching Headings format guide, then find that question type in a test and do just those questions→
25 minthis week
Study the Summary Completion format guide, then find that question type in a test and do just those questions→
25 minthis week
Study the Map Labelling format guide, then find that question type in a test and do just those questions→
25 minthis week
Study the Multiple Choice (Listening) format guide, then find that question type in a test and do just those questions→
25 minthis week
Sit one full listening test from the newest month — exam conditions, then mark it→
40 minmust-do
Phase 3 — Volume & Output (Weeks 5–6)
Daily tests for stamina; writing and speaking move to the foreground.
Move on when: Listening and reading both within 0.5 band of target on two consecutive tests.
Every day
Sit one full listening test from the newest month — exam conditions, then mark it→
40 minmust-do
One reading passage, timed by its question mix (2 types ≈ 16 min, 3 types ≈ 20, 4 types ≈ 25)→
25 minmust-do
Practice answering 3 current speaking topics out loud — record yourself once→
20 minmust-do
Within the phase
Sit one full reading test — 60 minutes strict, then mark it and read the explanations for every miss→
75 minmust-do
Sit one full reading test — 60 minutes strict, then mark it and read the explanations for every miss→
75 minmust-do
Read TWO band-calibrated sample essays for current questions — study the structure, not the vocabulary→
25 minmust-do
Build personalized answers for this season's cue cards (your stories, not scripts)→
30 minthis week
Check this season's reported writing questions and outline one answer (position + 2 main ideas only)→
20 minthis week
Phase 4 — Simulation (Weeks 7–8)
Full mocks under exam timing; recall wall for the current pool; logistics.
Move on when: Exam day.
Every day
Re-read yesterday's wrong answers: for each, say out loud WHY the right answer is right before checking the explanation
15 minmust-do
Practice answering 3 current speaking topics out loud — record yourself once→
20 minmust-do
Within the phase
FULL mock: listening + reading back-to-back, exam timing, no pauses. Mark after, not between→
130 minmust-do
FULL mock: listening + reading back-to-back, exam timing, no pauses. Mark after, not between→
130 minmust-do
FULL mock: listening + reading back-to-back, exam timing, no pauses. Mark after, not between→
130 minmust-do
FULL mock: listening + reading back-to-back, exam timing, no pauses. Mark after, not between→
130 minmust-do
Scan this week's new exam recalls — note any 🔥 high-frequency questions in your skills→
10 minthis week
Read TWO band-calibrated sample essays for current questions — study the structure, not the vocabulary→
25 minmust-do
Daily anchors
Morning: Read one passage or transcript aloud for 10 minutes before anything else — mouth and ear before eyes.
Before bed: Before bed, review the words you collected today from wrong answers (5–10 minutes, no new material).
Weekly self-review
- Listening: is your score stable or rising? Which section loses the most points?
- Reading: are you finishing in 60 minutes? Which question type costs you most?
- Did you do the OUTPUT work (dictation, outlines, speaking aloud) — or only input?
- Write one sentence: what will you do differently next week?
A plan is a route, not a promise — no schedule can guarantee a band score. Adjust volumes to your reality and keep the output work.