Can I prepare for IELTS in one month?

Preparing for the IELTS exam is a critical step in achieving your objective of joining the organisation or university. Have you scheduled your IELTS exam and are concerned that you only have a month to prepare?

IELTS exams usually take more than a month to prepare. IELTS is challenging, and even those fluent in English find it difficult to achieve a high score. However, it is not impossible to get the results in anything. Adequate preparation and planning is necessary for smooth execution and a favourable outcome. Similarly, in the IELTS exam, you must put enough time and effort into studying.

Furthermore, time management becomes crucial if you have just one month left to prepare. So, how to organise the time efficiently to get the highest possible band score in just one month? Let’s find out.

The IELTS or International English Language Testing System evaluates your English Language proficiency to check how well you will manage your work or day-to-day communication in English-speaking countries.

The IELTS exam comprises two modules, namely — IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic.

The IELTS General Training exam measures English language proficiency required for both work and in a practical everyday context.

The IELTS Academic exam measures English language proficiency which is required for the academic, high learning environment and everyday communication purposes.

So, what is the format of the IELTS exam?

Both the IELTS Academic and General Training exam consists of 4 sections.

• Reading
• Listening
• Speaking
• Writing

The IELTS Reading Section consists of 3 passages with tasks. In the IELTS Academic module, all the 3 passages are going to be long reading passages, whereas, in the IELTS General Training module, there are going to be several short passages and one long passage. You are given 60 minutes to read the passage and answer the questions.

The IELTS Listening Section consists of 4 recorded monologues and conversations, and you are given 30 minutes to listen to the recordings and answer the questions.

The IELTS Speaking Section consists of 3 rounds of the face-to-face interview in which the examiner asks you questions about your family, interests, job/college, birthplace, and other topics. The cue-card round in which you are going to get a topic-based cue-card and based on the topic, you are expected to speak for 2–3 minutes and the question-answer round. So in this section, you are given 11–14 minutes.

The IELTS Writing section consists of 2 parts. Task 2 is similar to both Academic and General Training exams. The IELTS Writing task 1 in the Academic exam is report writing, whereas in the General Training exam, it is letter writing. You are given 60 minutes to answer the questions in at least 150 and 250 words, respectively.

So, now we know the test format.

But how to prepare for the IELTS exam?

1. Identify your Strengths and Weaknesses by Enrolling in a live learning class.

Before you get started on your preparations, it’s crucial to know your strengths and limitations. It’s okay if you have any areas of weakness. To understand that, you can take a diagnostic test. IELTSMaterial.com is one such website that provides an option to register for a diagnostic test and get feedback from their top IELTS trainers before registering for a live learning session. Infact, they also provide a customised 1 month IELTS Master express program that includes live learning sessions, learning materials and practice tests that can help you learn the nuances of the English language.

2. Improve your Grammar and Lexical Resource Skills

Focus on improving your vocabulary by learning at least 7 to 10 new words every day. But, learning new words does not only mean learning its meaning, but it also means learning how and when to use them appropriately. Add a few exercises based on synonyms, antonyms, and basic grammar lessons to better understand the words and phrases. You can also improve your comprehension abilities by watching English TV shows. If you’re new to this, start by viewing several episodes with subtitles and then gradually go on to watching episodes without subtitles. This can also help you get acquainted with various types of speeches and accents, which can ultimately help you improve your listening skills.

3. Practice full-length actual tests

Are you aware that certain IELTS questions are asked more than once? As a result, practising questions from recent actual examinations is the greatest approach to prepare, especially if you have limited time. These tests serve a dual purpose; they help you get familiar with the test structure and have answers to questions that are likely to arise on the exam. There are several websites that provide books and practice tests on topics that have recently appeared in the IELTS exam.

4. But, why do you need a study plan?

Most students find it challenging to prepare for exams appropriately. Sticking to a daily study regimen is the only way to help you get out of this rut. All you have to do is find an authentic, reliable source that can help you prepare for the IELTS exam without wasting your precious time and arranging a customised study plan depending on your strengths and weaknesses. For example, let’s suppose you are good at listening but not at writing. Customised study plans can help you effectively manage your time so that you do not fall behind in one area while attempting to improve in another.

A well-organised study plan can help you assist in achieving your desired score. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to studying for IELTS. The strategy, however, can be tailor-made to your time and convenience. Likewise, if you don’t have time and only have 30 days to prepare. Then you should

• Allocate 4 hours a day for studying [dedicating an hour for each section].
• Examine your English skills, paying special attention to your weakest spots.
• Revisit your mistakes and try to improve them.
• Get guidance and feedback from someone knowledgeable.