Begin with a structured, step‑by‑step book that explains the test format before throwing you into full tests. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is a solid first pick because it covers both Academic and General Training with clear strategies and audio. Pair it with IELTS Trainer 2 for guided practice tests—the first two tests include coaching notes that highlight timing, typical traps, and what examiners expect. Once you’re comfortable, move to the Cambridge IELTS authentic test series to simulate the real exam.

The Cambridge series is excellent for exam realism, but “tests only” rarely push you over Band 7. To break 7+, you need targeted skill building and feedback. Combine authentic tests with strategy resources (for example, Target Band 7) and focused skill books (Collins Listening/Reading/Writing/Speaking or Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS). Add a feedback loop for Writing and Speaking—through a teacher, study partner, or reputable online platform—so you learn exactly why answers fall short and how to fix them.

Think in layers. Use one core book for structure and weekly goals; add authentic tests for realism; then layer online tools for flexible drills and analytics. Books keep you systematic and prevent random practice; online tools give you repetition, audio/video, and instant review. A simple weekly split could be: two days of skills work from a book, two days of online drills and vocabulary, and one full test simulation at realistic timing. Adjust the ratio based on your weakest section.

Treat each test like an experiment. First, sit the test under strict timing. Second, perform a deep post‑mortem: label every error (timing, vocabulary, inference, distractor, grammar, cohesion). Third, build a “fix list” of patterns to monitor next time (for example, “missed inverted comparisons,” “ignored unit in chart,” “over‑length sentence in Task 2”). Finally, redo only the missed question types with targeted drills before attempting a new full test. This cycle turns each test into measurable skill gains.

The Listening and Speaking tests are the same across both modules. Reading and Writing differ: Academic reading is more research‑style, while General Training reading leans practical texts. Writing Task 1 is a report (Academic) versus a letter (General). Choose a core guide that clearly marks module differences, and add at least one module‑specific practice resource—Academic learners benefit from charts/tables/process descriptions, while General learners need letter tone, purpose, and audience practice.

Use a lean, repeatable structure: clear position in the introduction, logically sequenced body paragraphs with one core idea each, and a concise conclusion that restates your stance. Build a personal “evidence kit” of examples you genuinely understand—social trends, education, technology, public health—so you can adapt them to many prompts. After every essay, diagnose problems by band descriptor: task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammar range/accuracy. Rewrite one paragraph with improved signposting and precision rather than writing a brand‑new essay each time. Quality revisions beat quantity.

Mimic test‑day friction. Use a single uninterrupted audio track, paper or digital answer sheet, and strict timing. Train your ear for signpost shifts (“however,” “on the other hand,” “so,” “actually”), and learn common distractors (a speaker changes an opinion or corrects a number). After checking answers, replay only the error segments and shadow the transcript: speak along with the audio to internalize rhythm, stress, and chunking. This improves both comprehension and Speaking fluency.

Use topic clusters aligned with frequent prompts: environment, education, work, health, cities, technology, culture. For each cluster, collect 10–15 mid‑frequency, high‑utility items (for example, “mitigate,” “allocate,” “equitable,” “retention,” “commute”). Learn words as phrases (“mitigate the impact,” “allocate resources”) and practice paraphrase families (“decrease,” “decline,” “diminish”). Space‑repetition tools help retention, but always apply new words in short Writing or Speaking tasks the same day you learn them; usage cements memory and exposes collocation mistakes.

AI can be a helpful coach, not a ghostwriter. Use it to generate alternative outlines, identify grammar hotspots, or suggest varied linking phrases. Then write your own essay and compare. For Speaking, have AI generate realistic follow‑up questions so you can practice depth and spontaneity. Avoid copying AI text—examiners value originality and coherence in your voice. The best practice is human‑first creation with AI‑assisted critique and ideas for refinement.

Create a rubric checklist mirroring the band descriptors. For Task Response, check if you answered every part of the prompt and maintained a clear position. For Coherence and Cohesion, inspect paragraph unity and signposting. For Lexical Resource, highlight overused words and replace them with precise alternatives. For Grammar, underline sentence boundaries and variety (simple, compound, complex). Read your essay aloud to catch awkward flow, then compress any sentence that exceeds two clauses unless its logic truly needs it.

Simulate an interview. Record yourself answering Part 1 quick questions, a Part 2 long turn with one‑minute planning, and Part 3 follow‑ups. Review the recording for hesitations, fillers, and unclear pronouns. Create a “fluency bank” of safe openers (“From my perspective…,” “To elaborate on that…”) and upgrade verbs and connectors. Shadow high‑quality audio to polish pronunciation and rhythm. One strong 15‑minute daily recording is more valuable than occasional long sessions.

Most candidates benefit from six to eight full simulations across four to six weeks. Early tests reveal gaps; mid‑cycle tests validate fixes; final tests consolidate timing. If scores plateau, stop doing new tests and spend two or three days on deep error analysis and targeted drills (for example, matching headings, multiple‑choice inference, or data‑description verbs). The goal is not a big stack of answer sheets; it’s a visible reduction in repeated error types.

Week 1: Learn the format, build timing habits, and complete one guided test (for example, from a trainer book). Week 2: Focus on weakest skill with a dedicated book (Collins skill series) and do one full Cambridge test. Week 3: Alternate test days with targeted drills; write three Task 1s and two Task 2s with revisions. Week 4: Two full simulations under strict timing; polish Speaking with daily 15‑minute recordings. Keep a living error log and review it nightly.

IELTS scores each section on a 0–9 scale, then averages to an overall band (rounded to the nearest half). For quick gains, hunt “near‑miss” points. In Reading/Listening, convert two or three wrongs to rights by fixing one recurring trap (for example, date formats or negatives). In Writing, tighten task response and paragraph logic; even small improvements can lift the band if coherence improves. In Speaking, aim for steady fluency and clearer development rather than rare words used awkwardly.

Stop heavy learning. Do one light simulation two days out, then micro‑drills on your top three weak spots. Prepare Writing and Speaking templates (not memorized essays—just structures and signposting). Sleep well, hydrate, and plan logistics: test location, ID, and transport. On the day, warm up with 10 minutes of soft reading aloud to activate pronunciation and pacing. Confidence comes from routines you trust, not last‑minute cramming.

Yes, but do it deliberately. Analyze your score breakdown and request official feedback if available. Spend two to three weeks on precision work: for Writing, rewrite three of your past essays with a stricter rubric; for Reading/Listening, drill the exact question types that cost you the most points. Add two new full tests only after your targeted drills show improvement. A purposeful retake beats an immediate repeat with the same habits.

Use tight, high‑yield loops. Day 1: one Reading passage with error analysis. Day 2: Listening Section 3 or 4 with transcript shadowing. Day 3: write one body paragraph for Task 2 and revise it once. Day 4: speak for eight minutes (Part 2 + one Part 3 follow‑up), record and review. Day 5: vocabulary phrases from a topic set applied in two sentences. Repeat weekly. Consistency compounds—small, focused sessions build faster than irregular marathons.

Prefer official partners and reputable publishers for core tests and formats. Look for recent editions or platforms that clearly reference current task types. Be cautious with random downloads or recycled question lists without sources. If a resource teaches gimmicks (for example, “memorize this universal essay”), skip it. Good materials explain why an answer is correct, show common distractors, and align with the public band descriptors you can verify on official pages.