Hi! I needed some timeline and resource advice for taking up the IELTS. My target score is 7.5. I’m fairly fluent in English. I’ll be taking the GRE prior to it.
My main concern is getting familiar with the test format, knowing what the test is looking for, and awareness of any traps that I could expect in the test, (like in the GRE) if applicable.
Please suggest a sufficient duration for preparation and resources/plans like the GRE 2-month plan (which is a lifesaver) to achieve my target score.
Hi Karishma.
I had given my IELTS (Paper Based Test) back in July 2022 and had achieved the following scores in the modules: Listening - 7.5 Reading - 9 Writing - 7 Speaking - 7.5
Overall Band 8
I had dedicated quite a time to be fair for IELTS as my desirable score was 8/8.5
The following is the timetable I followed: Monday and Tuesdays: Reading - In the initial days, I used to go thru the passages with an untimed approach. You can cover as many passages as you like as it will make you familiar with the habit of reading long passages (fairly longer than Long GRE passages)
Once you feel comfortable, start attacking them with a timed approach.
Wednesday and Thursdays: Writing Task 1 and Task 2
Read as many sample answers as you can find. They are quite similar to the ones that are available for AWA but quite straightforward comparatively.
Friday Used to be the Listening Module for me (Had my planned off for Saturday and Sunday). You can go thru the Listening Module by searching IELTS Academic Book 11-16 Listening and you will be blessed with all the resources available.
Once you are confident enough to face these problems, kindly dedicate a week at least for Mock Tests. There are plenty of resources for the same.
Attaching a telegram group link for you that can help with all the good resources for practice and tests.
I almost forgot the speaking module there.
You can refer to the below link for the structure of the speaking test.
You can ping me if you have any further clarifications for the same. Happy to help
Hi Karishma
IELTS is comparatively easier that GRE
When I practice GRE questions there is a lot of vocab that supports one’s understanding. Without studying the vocab list, one would feel helpless.
IELTS has familiar words so it’s easier to comprehend the passages
So the difficulty level is a bit difficult to compare as it’s a totally different test and a whole different parameter(s) is/are tested.
Listening could be difficult when it comes to different sorts of questions that are put forward. I used to score 8-8.5 in mock tests but scored 7.5. Reading can be difficult as well but compared to GRE Reading, it’s not inferential. Its an amalgamation of Inference and implied.
