IELTS Preparation in 30-60 Days: Study Plan, Practice Material, & Books
Do you want to score Band 7, 8, or even higher in IELTS? Following the right study plan with strategic practice materials and books is one of the best approaches to cracking the world’s most popular and widely accepted English language proficiency test for higher education and global immigration.
With rising competition, limited resources, and stricter immigration policies, achieving a top IELTS score is more important than ever. Since IELTS is an English proficiency test, the most effective preparation strategy requires applicants to develop advanced vocabulary, improve grammatical accuracy, and enhance coherence across all language skills.
Whether you are preparing for IELTS Academic, General Training, or Life Skills, a realistic study plan should begin with assessing your current English level in all four modules—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking and then working systematically to improve each one.
In the content below, we have compiled a must-do list of strategies that every IELTS applicant should include in their preparation plan.
So, let’s get started.
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IELTS Preparation According to Test Pattern & Structure
For both beginner and advanced learners, understanding the IELTS test format is just as important as learning and practising English grammar. A quick overview of the IELTS test pattern and structure gives you a clear idea of the types, sequence, and weightage of questions, helping you understand what to expect in the exam. This insight provides a strategic advantage that IELTS textbooks and study materials often lack.
|
Component |
Duration |
Number of Tasks/Questions |
Description
|
Scoring |
|
Listening |
30 minutes (plus 10 min transfer) |
40 questions |
Four recorded monologues and conversations. Tests listening for main ideas, specific information, opinions, and attitudes. |
Band 0–9 |
|
Reading |
60 minutes |
40 questions |
Academic or General Training versions. Tests reading comprehension, identifying information, understanding arguments, and writer’s opinion. |
Band 0–9 |
|
Writing |
60 minutes |
2 tasks |
Task 1: Describe visual information (Academic) or letter (General). Task 2: Essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem. |
Band 0–9 |
|
Speaking |
11–14 minutes |
3 parts |
Part 1: Introduction & interview Part 2: Long turn (2 min) Part 3: Discussion on abstract ideas |
Band 0–9 |
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IELTS Exam Syllabus and Subjects
Whether you are a first-time test taker or retaking IELTS to improve your score, building a strong foundation in English grammar is essential. When it comes to developing this foundation, critical and creative thinking play an important role.
The best IELTS preparation strategy involves knowing and understanding all four IELTS modules, along with their syllabus and key focus areas. Below, you will find the module-wise syllabus and subjects designed to help you learn and practise strategically for quick and effective score improvement in IELTS.
|
Module |
Topics / Subjects |
Skills Tested |
|
Listening |
- Social survival topics (daily life, travel, shopping) - Educational contexts (lectures, tutorials) - Work-related situations |
- Understanding main ideas and specific details - Recognizing opinions and attitudes - Following a conversation or lecture |
|
Reading |
Academic: - Graphs, charts, tables, diagrams - Factual, descriptive, discursive, and analytical texts General Training: - Notices, advertisements, brochures - Short extracts from newspapers, manuals, work-related documents |
- Skimming, scanning, and detailed reading - Identifying writer’s opinions and attitudes - Matching headings to paragraphs |
|
Writing |
Task 1 (Academic): Describe graphs, tables, charts, diagrams Task 1 (General): Write formal or informal letters Task 2 (Both): Essays on opinion, argument, problem-solving |
- Organizing information logically - Clear expression of ideas - Grammar, vocabulary, coherence |
|
Speaking |
- Part 1: Personal information, daily life, work/study, hobbies - Part 2: Talk on a given topic (2 min) - Part 3: Discussion of abstract ideas, issues, and opinions |
- Fluency and coherence - Vocabulary range - Pronunciation - Grammar accuracy |
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IELTS Preparation for Listening
While a strong foundation in English grammar is important, a weak exam strategy can still lead students toward poor performance or rejection. Therefore, exam-focused preparation means dividing all four IELTS modules and working on each of them systematically and separately. Let’s begin with Listening preparation.
Among the four IELTS modules, Listening plays a crucial role. The Listening section is designed to assess whether applicants can understand tone, emotions, and context in spoken English delivered in British, American, or other native accents. This section consists of 40 questions, including tasks such as filling in information, multiple-choice questions, matching, and labelling maps or diagrams.
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To excel at naturally absorbing spoken English in native pronunciation, applicants should listen to and practise with audio recordings featuring different accents, with particular focus on British, American, and Australian English. The best strategy is not just to listen to words, but to recognise correct sounds, rhythm, stress, and intonation. Developing a daily habit of listening to 60–90 minutes of English audio or video content recorded in native English pronunciation can significantly improve Listening scores.
|
What to Do |
Strategy |
|
Listen Every Day (Short but Regular) |
|
|
Start with Easy Content |
|
|
Learn Common Vocabulary |
|
|
Practice Active Listening |
|
|
Use Subtitles the Right Way
|
|
|
Improve Pronunciation Awareness |
|
|
Listen to Different Accents |
|
|
Practice Numbers and Spelling |
|
|
Simple Daily Routine (30 minutes) |
|
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IELTS Preparation for Reading
The IELTS Reading test aims to assess whether applicants can read and understand written English, which is essential for successful communication in English-speaking countries such as the USA, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Applicants are required to answer 40 questions to demonstrate their ability to comprehend written English in everyday, professional, and academic contexts.
The Reading section consists of three passages with 40 questions in total, and attempting every question is important to achieve a high band score. The reading passages may be taken from books, journals, workplace documents, or social contexts, depending on the type of IELTS exam you are taking (Academic or General Training).
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Since performing well in the Reading test is crucial, casual reading alone is not enough. Your IELTS Reading preparation strategy should go beyond casual reading and focus on timed reading practice, skimming, scanning, and keyword identification. Rather than reading each passage word by word, practise different question types daily and manage your time strictly—approximately 20 minutes per passage.
Below is a tried-and-tested, step-by-step Reading preparation strategy to help you improve your IELTS score effectively.
|
What to Do |
Strategy |
|
Understand the IELTS Reading Test |
|
|
Build Strong Reading Habits
|
|
|
Improve Skimming & Scanning |
|
|
Expand Vocabulary (Smartly) |
|
|
Master Question Types |
|
|
Read Questions Before the Passage |
|
|
Manage Time Carefully |
|
|
Practice With Real IELTS Materials |
|
|
Analyse Your Mistakes |
|
|
Simple Daily Reading Routine (30 minutes) |
|
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IELTS Preparation for Writing
The third module of IELTS is the Writing test, which measures applicants’ ability to write in English across different contexts. The Writing test evaluates essential skills such as task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical accuracy.
Since writing is one of the most important forms of communication in academic and professional environments, English-speaking countries require applicants to clear the IELTS Writing test when applying for student or work visas. Therefore, a focused and well-planned preparation strategy is essential.
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Effective preparation includes regular practice of full-length writing tasks, which helps not only to improve writing skills but also to identify weaknesses and areas that need improvement. Make writing a daily habit, with a strong focus on IELTS band descriptors, clear structure, and time management.
Below, you will find a sequence-wise preparation strategy for the IELTS Writing test to help you achieve a higher band score.
|
What to Do |
Strategy |
|
Understand the IELTS Writing Test |
|
|
Learn the Band Descriptors |
|
|
Plan Before You Write (Very Important) |
|
|
Use Clear Structure |
Task 2 Essay Structure
Task 1 Structure
|
|
Improve Vocabulary |
|
|
Improve Grammar Step by Step |
|
|
Practice Writing Regularly |
|
|
Get Feedback |
|
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IELTS Preparation for Speaking
Your daily IELTS study timetable of 5–6 hours should include Speaking practice, as the Speaking test is critical for successful migration to any English-speaking country. The IELTS Speaking test allows immigration authorities to ensure that candidates can communicate confidently in daily life situations and interact effectively with others.
The best preparation strategy focuses on improving pronunciation, fluency, and intonation, so you can be clearly understood and communicate confidently. To help minimise misunderstandings during the IELTS Speaking test, we have compiled a proven step-by-step preparation strategy specifically for the Speaking module.
|
What to Do |
Strategy |
|
Understand the IELTS Speaking Test |
|
|
Know the 4 Speaking Band Criteria |
|
|
Speak Every Day (Even Alone) |
|
|
Improve Fluency (Not Speed)
|
|
|
Build Topic Vocabulary |
|
|
Improve Pronunciation |
|
|
Learn to Handle Difficult Questions |
|
|
Simple Daily Speaking Routine (20–30 minutes) |
|
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Practise Mock Test for IELTS Test
While practising and improving English grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills is important, the significance of IELTS mock tests cannot be overstated. Frequent practice with mock tests broadens your perspective and enhances your ability to tackle all four crucial modules: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
Experts agree that the more students practise mock tests, the higher their chances of scoring well in IELTS. To help you sharpen your English proficiency and equip you with the skills to handle even the most complex IELTS questions, we have brought you a well-recognized, step-by-step strategy for IELTS mock test practice.
|
What to Do |
Strategy |
|
Use Real IELTS Mock Tests |
|
|
Simulate Real Exam Conditions |
This builds exam stamina and confidence. |
|
Do One Full Mock Per Week (Ideal) |
|
|
Mark Your Test Carefully |
|
|
Analyse Your Mistakes (MOST IMPORTANT) |
|
|
Improve Each Skill After the Mock
|
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
|
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Best IELTS Study Material & Books for Preparation
If you are serious about your IELTS preparation and want to ensure that you stay on track with your study plan, it is essential to start with the right study materials and high-quality books. Since there is a lot of unreliable material available online, the safest approach is to refer to official sources such as the IELTS website, British Council, and Cambridge.
To give you the edge you need to succeed, we have outlined below the best books and materials for IELTS preparation, along with their official sources.
|
Book / Material |
Skill Focus |
Why It’s Good / Key Features |
|
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS |
All skills
|
Comprehensive guide from the exam creators; practice tests + tips for every section |
|
Cambridge IELTS Series (e.g., IELTS 14–17 / 18–19) |
All skills |
Authentic past papers with answers and Listening audio; great for mock tests |
|
Official IELTS Practice Materials (Vol. 1 & 2) |
All skills
|
Practice tests with examiner comments and explanations |
|
Barron’s IELTS Superpack |
All skills |
Complete prep set with strategies, practice tests, vocab, and CDs |
|
IELTS Trainer (Cambridge) |
All skills |
Step-by-step coaching with 6 practice tests; good for structured learning |
|
Collins Listening for IELTS |
Listening |
Focused practice and strategies for Listening section |
|
IELTS Reading Practice Tests |
Reading |
Dedicated reading practice with explanations (various publishers) |
|
IELTS Writing Task 2 / Writing Guides |
Writing
|
Model essays, task analysis, vocabulary guides |
|
Vocabulary for IELTS (Pauline Cullen / Cambridge Vocabulary) |
Vocabulary
|
Topic-based vocabulary for all sections, especially Reading & Writing |
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Writen By:
Pawan Rawat
Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.
