IELTS Preparation Plan — 4 Weeks

Starting at Band 5.0–5.5

Realistic target: Band 6.0–6.5

4 weeks may not be enough. Consider 8–12 weeks.

Starting at Band 6.0–6.5

Realistic target: Band 7.0–7.5

This is the ideal profile for the 4-week plan.

Starting at Band 7.0+

Realistic target: Band 7.5–8.0

4 weeks of targeted practice can sharpen specific weaknesses.

4-week priority: Band 7 Task 2 structure

Avoid: Reading model essays before attempting the question yourself

• Learn the 4-part structure: position → reason 1 → reason 2 with example → conclusion
• Practise paraphrasing the question in your opening sentence — examiners spot copy-paste
• Task 1: describe the most significant feature first, then comparisons — never list all data
• Write at least 1 timed Task 2 essay every 2 days and mark it

4-week priority: Timing + TFNG/YNGI question types

Avoid: Reading every word — it will cause you to run out of time

• Skim the passage first (2 min): title, first sentence of each paragraph, any bold/italic text
• For Matching Headings: read the first and last sentence of each paragraph only
• True/False/Not Given: 'Not Given' means the text does not mention it — do not guess
• Time yourself strictly: 20 minutes per passage including transferring answers

4-week priority: Section 4 prediction technique

Avoid: Re-listening after getting an answer wrong — train forward prediction, not correction

• Use the 30 seconds before each section to read ALL questions — not just the first few
• Predict the answer type: a number, a name, a verb, an adjective
• Section 4 is a monologue — the speaker will not pause or repeat
• If you miss an answer, immediately move to the next — never try to catch up

4-week priority: Part 3 extended answers

Avoid: One-sentence answers to any Part 3 question

• Part 3 answers should be 3–5 sentences: opinion + reason + example or alternative view
• Part 2: use the full 1-minute preparation time — write 4 bullet points only
• Record every practice answer and listen back for filler words and hesitation
• Band 7 fluency means you can self-correct without losing flow — practise this deliberately

Practice tests

• Cambridge IELTS books 14–18 (most recent, closest to real exam)
• British Council and IDP free sample tests online
• IELTS.org official practice materials

Use Cambridge books for mock tests only — not for learning technique. They have no strategy explanations.

Writing feedback

• IELTS Training Camp AI Writing Checker — band score + examiner feedback
• Write at least 6 Task 2 essays across the 4 weeks
• Compare your essays to Band 7 and Band 8 model answers

AI feedback tells you where you lose marks. Human feedback (Sahil's course) tells you why and how to fix it.

Speaking practice

• IELTS Training Camp Speaking Simulator — full 3-part AI test
• Record yourself on your phone daily — no app needed
• Practise Part 2 cue cards from the speaking topics page

The speaking simulator gives you a band score on all 4 criteria after each session.

Vocabulary

• IELTS Collocations Quiz on IELTS Training Camp
• Academic word list (AWL) — top 100 words
• Write 5 new collocations per day in example sentences

Vocabulary built in context sticks. Learning word lists without using them in writing does very little.