Achieve IELTS Band 7 Score: 60-Day Study Plan

Did you know that only about 25% of IELTS test takers achieve a band score of 7 or higher on their first attempt? Achieving an IELTS Band 7 score is a significant milestone that opens doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and even immigration possibilities in English-speaking countries. This statistic highlights just how challenging the test can be, and underscores the importance of a well-structured study plan. 

In this blog post, we’ll share a comprehensive 60-day study plan designed to help you join that top 25% and secure your desired IELTS Band 7 score. By following this guide, you’ll gain the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to excel in each section of the IELTS exam. Let’s dive in and turn the dream of achieving an IELTS Band 7 score into your reality.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

IELTS exam includes four formats i.e., reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Sections	Duration	Description	Total Questions
Reading	60 minutes	Three reading passages with tasks. Texts range from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical	40
Writing	60 minutes	Task 1: Describe a graph, table, chart, or diagram (150 words). Task 2: Write an essay (250 words).Task 1: Describe a graph, table, chart, or diagram (150 words). Task 2: Write an essay (250 words).	2
Speaking	11-14 minutes	Part 1: Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes). Part 2: Long turn (2-3 minutes). Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)	3
Listening	30 minutes	Four recorded monologues and conversations	40

IELTS Exam Preparation Guide

1. Listening Section

The listening section is the first part of the test, featuring four recordings and lasting about 30 minutes.

• Engage with English Media: Watch English movies, news programs, podcasts, and audiobooks to familiarize yourself with various accents and improve your listening skills.
• Focus on Keywords: Pay attention to important details like numbers, names, and places since the recording is played only once.
• Understand the Format: Get comfortable with the test structure to boost your confidence during the exam.

2. Reading Section

The reading section consists of passages on general topics, ranging from factual and descriptive to analytical and discursive.

• Skim and Scan: Quickly go through the passage and highlight key words to save time and find answers more efficiently.
• Expand Your Vocabulary: Learn new words daily and practice using them in sentences to handle difficult vocabulary.
• Manage Your Time: Practice completing each set of questions within the given time to improve your time management skills.

3. Writing Section

The writing section, lasting 60 minutes, assesses your ability to write appropriate responses, organize ideas, and use vocabulary and grammar accurately.

• Practice Essays: Write essays within the word limit and time frame to enhance your writing skills.
• Use Clear Language: Avoid overly complex words; instead, use clear and concise language.
• Organize Your Essay: Structure your essay to make it coherent and easy to read.

4. Speaking Section

The speaking section lasts 11 to 14 minutes and is divided into three parts: a general conversation, a talk on a given topic, and a two-way discussion.

• Daily Practice: Improve your speaking skills by practicing daily conversations. Record yourself to identify and work on areas of improvement.
• Learn Topic Vocabulary: Build your vocabulary for different topics. Speak clearly and steadily to emphasize important words and ideas, and use good pronunciation and intonation to make your speech engaging and impressive.

60-Day Study Plan

Day 1-10: Building a Strong Foundation

Listening Practice:

• Spend 10 minutes daily listening to various English audio materials such as podcasts, news broadcasts, and TED Talks. Focus on understanding the main ideas and specific details.
• Practice with IELTS listening samples to get familiar with the format and question types.

Reading Practice:

• Dedicate 10 minutes to reading English articles, newspapers, and magazines. Summarize the main points and new vocabulary.
• Complete one reading passage from an IELTS practice test every other day.

Writing Practice:

• Spend 10 minutes writing essays on common IELTS topics. Focus on clarity, coherence, and vocabulary.
• Analyze high-scoring IELTS essays to understand the structure and style.

Speaking Practice:

• Practice speaking English for 10 minutes daily on various topics. Record yourself to evaluate fluency and pronunciation.
• Engage in conversations with native speakers or join English-speaking groups online.

Day 11-20: Intensive Skill Development

Listening:

• Increase listening practice to 15 minutes daily. Use IELTS listening tests to practice different sections.
• Focus on identifying keywords and understanding different accents.

Reading:

• Read for 15 minutes daily from academic sources. Practice skimming and scanning techniques.
• Complete one reading passage from an IELTS test daily.

Writing:

• Write for 15 minutes daily, alternating between Task 1 and Task 2. Focus on using a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary.
• Get feedback on your essays from teachers or online forums.

Speaking:

• Practice speaking for 15 minutes daily. Use IELTS speaking prompts to practice Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 questions.
• Work on improving your pronunciation and intonation.

Day 21-40: Mock Tests and Error Analysis

Listening:

• Take full IELTS listening tests twice a week to simulate exam conditions.
• Review incorrect answers and understand the mistakes.

Reading:

• Complete full reading tests twice a week. Time yourself to improve speed and accuracy.
• Analyze the mistakes and focus on challenging question types.

Writing:

• Write one Task 1 and one Task 2 essay under timed conditions twice a week.
• Review and revise your essays based on feedback.

Speaking:

• Participate in mock speaking tests with a partner or tutor twice a week.
• Focus on delivering clear, coherent, and well-structured answers.

Day 41-60: Final Preparation and Refinement

Listening:

• Continue daily listening practice with a focus on challenging materials.
• Review all listening test mistakes and ensure understanding of all question types.

Reading:

• Maintain daily reading practice with diverse materials.
• Revisit difficult reading passages and work on weak areas.

Writing:

• Write essays on diverse topics to cover a broad range of subjects.
• Focus on refining grammar, vocabulary, and coherence.

Speaking:

• Engage in daily speaking practice with new topics.
• Record and review your responses to ensure continuous improvement.

FAQs

1. How can I improve my IELTS writing score?

ANS) Focus on writing clear, coherent essays with well-structured paragraphs. Use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary. Regularly practice writing under timed conditions and get feedback on your work.

2. What are some effective listening practice strategies?

ANS) Listen to a variety of English audio materials, practice identifying keywords, and take full IELTS listening tests to familiarize yourself with the format and question types.

3. How can I enhance my reading speed and accuracy?

ANS) Practice skimming and scanning techniques, read academic articles daily, and complete full reading tests under timed conditions. Focus on understanding different question types and analyzing mistakes.

4. What are some tips for improving speaking fluency?

ANS) Engage in daily speaking practice on various topics, record yourself to evaluate fluency and pronunciation, and participate in mock speaking tests with a partner or tutor.

Conclusion

Preparing for the IELTS exam effectively requires a blend of skills and strategies. With the right and consistent preparation, the test is manageable. By using the section-specific tips and tricks, you can boost your chances of getting the score you aim for.

Dedicate enough time to study according to your personal needs. The key is to stay calm and confident during the exam. Good luck to all IELTS aspirants in your future endeavors!