IELTS Preparation Plan 1 Month: 30-Day Study Schedule
One month is enough to prepare effectively for IELTS if you follow a structured plan. This 30-day study schedule covers all four skills with daily tasks, weekly milestones, and practice test checkpoints to track your progress.
Time commitment: 2-3 hours per day, 6 days per week. Total: approximately 60-72 hours of study.
Week 1: Foundation & Diagnosis (Days 1-7)
The first week is about understanding the test format, identifying your weaknesses, and building a baseline.
| Day | Focus | Tasks (2-3 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Test Overview | Learn the format of all 4 sections. Read band descriptors for each skill. Set your target score. |
| Day 2 | Diagnostic Test | Take a full practice test under timed conditions. Score yourself honestly. Identify your weakest skill. |
| Day 3 | Listening | Study question types (multiple choice, map labelling, form filling). Do 2 practice sections. Focus on note-taking. |
| Day 4 | Reading | Learn key strategies: skimming, scanning, TFNG method. Complete 1 full reading passage under timed conditions. |
| Day 5 | Writing | Study Task 1 and Task 2 structures. Write your first Task 2 essay (untimed). Learn the 4 marking criteria. |
| Day 6 | Speaking | Record yourself answering Part 1 questions (5 topics). Listen back and identify areas for improvement. |
| Day 7 | Rest & Review | Review the week's work. Make a list of vocabulary gaps. Light reading for pleasure in English. |
Week 2: Skill Building (Days 8-14)
Focus on improving specific skills and learning test strategies.
| Day | Focus | Tasks (2-3 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 8 | Listening | Practise Section 3 and 4 (academic). Focus on following lectures and discussions. Learn to predict answers. |
| Day 9 | Reading | Practise matching headings and summary completion. Time yourself: 20 minutes per passage. Review all errors. |
| Day 10 | Writing T1 | Write 2 Task 1 responses (1 graph/chart, 1 process/map). Learn key comparison language. |
| Day 11 | Writing T2 | Write 1 timed Task 2 essay (40 min). Focus on essay structure and paragraph development. |
| Day 12 | Speaking | Practise Part 2 cue cards (3 topics with timer). Record and review. Learn linking phrases. |
| Day 13 | Practice Test 1 | Full timed practice test (Listening + Reading). Score and review all mistakes in detail. |
| Day 14 | Rest & Vocabulary | Review Week 2. Study 20 topic-specific vocabulary words. Light English podcast or film. |
Week 3: Intensive Practice (Days 15-21)
This is the most intensive week. Increase difficulty and start doing more timed practice.
| Day | Focus | Tasks (2-3 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 15 | Listening | 2 full listening tests. Focus on your weakest section type. Practise with different accents. |
| Day 16 | Reading | 2 full reading passages. Strict 20-minute timing. Analyse why you got questions wrong. |
| Day 17 | Writing | Write 1 Task 1 + 1 Task 2 under exam conditions (20 min + 40 min). Self-assess using band descriptors. |
| Day 18 | Speaking | Full mock speaking test (all 3 parts). Record yourself. Practise Part 3 discussion questions. |
| Day 19 | Weak Skill | Dedicate entirely to your weakest skill. Do targeted exercises and review strategies. |
| Day 20 | Practice Test 2 | Full timed practice test (all 4 skills if possible). Compare scores with Week 2. |
| Day 21 | Rest & Review | Review all practice test mistakes. Update vocabulary list. Relaxation. |
Week 4: Polish & Exam Prep (Days 22-30)
Final week: refine techniques, build confidence, and prepare for test day.
| Day | Focus | Tasks (2-3 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 22 | Listening + Reading | 1 full test of each. Focus on time management. Aim for accuracy, not speed. |
| Day 23 | Writing | Write 2 complete essays (T1 + T2) under strict timing. Focus on common errors you still make. |
| Day 24 | Speaking | Full mock test. Practise with a friend or tutor if possible. Focus on fluency and confidence. |
| Day 25 | Weak Skill | Final intensive session on your weakest area. Review strategies and common traps. |
| Day 26 | Practice Test 3 | Final full practice test. Simulate exact exam conditions (timing, no breaks, no phone). |
| Day 27 | Review | Go through all practice test errors. Make a "cheat sheet" of key strategies for each section. |
| Day 28 | Light Review | Quick review of strategies. Read your cheat sheet. Do a few easy practice questions for confidence. |
| Day 29 | Rest Day | Complete rest. Prepare your documents, ID, and directions to the test centre. Early night. |
| Day 30 | Test Day | Arrive early. Stay calm. Trust your preparation. You are ready. |
Expected Progress
| Week | Focus | Expected Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Foundation | Baseline established |
| Week 2 | Skill building | +0.25 band (strategies learned) |
| Week 3 | Intensive practice | +0.5 band (consistency improving) |
| Week 4 | Polish | +0.5-1.0 band total from baseline |
Individual results vary based on starting level, study quality, and natural ability. Most dedicated candidates improve by 0.5-1.0 band in 30 days.
Essential Tips for Your 30-Day Plan
- Prioritise your weakest skill but do not neglect others. Spending 40% of your time on your weakest skill and 20% on each of the others is a good ratio.
- Review mistakes, not just scores. Understanding why you got an answer wrong is more valuable than knowing the correct answer.
- Use official Cambridge IELTS practice tests (books 15-19) for the most realistic practice experience.
- Immerse yourself in English daily: news in English, English-language podcasts, films without subtitles.
- Get feedback on Writing and Speaking. Ask a teacher, tutor, or even a proficient English-speaking friend to review your work.
- Simulate test conditions for practice tests: no dictionary, no phone, strict timing, quiet room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for intermediate English speakers (B1-B2 level). With 2-3 hours daily, you can improve by 0.5-1.0 band. If starting from a lower level, consider a longer timeline.
2-3 hours of focused, active study per day. Quality beats quantity. Active practice (writing, speaking, timed tests) is far more effective than passive reading.
Listening and Reading typically show the fastest improvement because they respond well to strategy practice. Writing and Speaking require more sustained practice for noticeable gains.
Absolutely. Many Band 7+ scorers are self-taught. The key is a structured plan, regular practice tests, and honest self-assessment. Free resources online are excellent for Listening and Reading. Writing feedback is the hardest to get without a tutor.
See our 2-week IELTS preparation plan for a condensed schedule that focuses on the highest-impact strategies.
Related Resources
Plan Overview
- Duration 30 days
- Daily study 2-3 hours
- Practice tests 3 full tests
- Expected gain +0.5-1.0 band