How to prepare for IELTS in 10 days (2024)

The best thing about the IELTS Test is that you cannot fail it. The test simply takes a ‘snapshot’ of your current level of English.

So if you’ve suddenly realised that you need to take the test in 10 days (I’m not sure why, but I get frequent messages about this) don’t panic too much. Consider it a ‘practice run’.

You CAN prepare for IELTS in 10 days as long as you don’t expect a miracle result.

A week or so is just enough time to familiarise yourself with the test requirements so you can give yourself the best chance of getting the best indicator of your overall ability.

Here’s what I would do in the next 10 days.

How to prepare for IELTS in 10 days (Study Plan)

1. Get to know the test
2. Focus on the Listening Test
3. Focus on the Reading Test
4. Focus on the Speaking Test
5. Focus on the Writing Task 1
6. Focus on the Writing Task 2
7. Do a mock Listening Test
8. Do a mock Reading Test

On Days 9 and 10, review and rest

Listen to the podcast:

There are 4 parts to the test: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Double-check which test you need to take (Academic or General Training).

Though they are similar in many ways (the Listening and Speaking are exactly the same), it’s important that you use the right practice materials for Writing Task 1 and Reading.

There are many many free tests and practice materials available online.

DO make sure you only use reliable materials such as ielts.org. Use this page for your Practice Tests.

DON’T get stressed and confused by all the conflicting advice. Stay focused on the test itself and what you have to do to get through it.

Get started with all parts of the test on this page.

Some people consider the Listening Test to be the easiest part.

There are 4 sections, and they get gradually more difficult.

Remember that you only hear each part ONCE (unlike other exams). So if you miss an answer, just move on.

Do a practice test like this one on the British Council website.

Review my tips about

• How to deal with Listening Part 1
• How to do maps in Listening Part 2
• How to recognise signals in Listening Part 3
• How to avoid distractors in Listening Part 4

DO: check your answer sheet and look for common ways to lose points e.g. spelling, forgetting to write the plural ‘s’.

DON’T: leave gaps on your answer sheet. (You don’t lose points for wrong answers).

BONUS TIP: ask a friend to read the answers you wrote on the Answer Sheet. Can they read your handwriting? If it’s a little unclear, it’s fine to write your answers in CAPITAL LETTERS.

Quick Fix: 100 most common Listening gapfill answers (booklet).

Members Academy: Do the ‘walk-through’ lessons (1, 8, 15, 22) in the Listening Course.

The Reading Test is difficult, and it won’t get any easier in 10 days, no matter how much you practice.

So get ready to read fast (3 texts in 60 minutes).

Print off a full practice test (get one here).

See how long it takes you to complete – this will give you an idea of how fast you’ll need to read to answer 40 questions in an hour.

It will be difficult to master all the question types in 10 days, so focus just on understanding what they are asking you to do e.g. match a heading to a paragraph, or True, False, Not Given questions.

Even if you don’t get the answers correct the first time, at least you will know what to do on the day, when the text or topic may be easier.

DON’T: read every word or get stuck on words/questions that you don’t know.

DO: write on the paper and underline/ highlight key words in the question.

As for the Listening Test, get someone to check your handwriting if you’re doing the paper-based test. You will lose points for wrong spelling, so make sure the examiner can read your writing easily.

Get all my IELTS Reading tips here.

Like the Listening and Reading tests, the Speaking test starts with ‘easy’ questions about things that are very familiar to you – where you live, and your job/studies.

Make sure that you prepare these 2 questions well.

Watch a full Speaking Test video from a reliable teacher like Keith’s Speaking Success.

If you have a friend or family member, get them to practice asking you questions.

DO: Record yourself speaking for the 2-minute long-turn. It’s important to be able to speak for 2 minutes, so you need to get used to this time limit.

DON’T: try to memorise ‘model’ answers or lists of idioms in the hope of getting a better score. Use the language that you have.

Get all my IELTS Speaking Tips here.

You have 20 minutes for Writing Task 1.

DO: Familiarise yourself with the types of questions you will get.

Academic test-takers have to describe data from a graph, map or diagram. Here are my 10 tips on how to do that.

General Training test-takers have to write an email/letter. Here are my tips on how to write formal and informal letters.

Practice: Read a model answer and try to reproduce it in 20 minutes. Getting the timing right is essential. Compare your answer with the original.

There’s no easy way to prepare for Task 2 except to keep it simple.

You’ll need to write 4 paragraphs in 40 minutes (about 270 words).

Read some model essay structures (there are plenty on this site).

Choose one essay to focus on, and make a ‘skeleton’ outline.

Note the structure, main arguments and examples.

Try to reproduce a version of this essay in 40 minutes, so that you can get used to the time limit and number of words.

Also, if you rarely use a pen to write, this is a good opportunity to get your hand muscles working again.

DO: choose simple structures over complex ones, unless you’re already a high-level writer.

DON’T: try to use ‘fancy words’ to ‘impress the examiner’.

Learn more about IELTS Writing Task 2 here.

Do the practice test as you would in the real exam.

Print off an answer sheet, and use a pencil to write your answers.

Check your answers and then go back through the tapescript.

Check how you lost points e.g.

• spelling
• too many words for the gap
• singular/plurals
• distractors
• lost your place

Consider how you can improve on test day.

Quick fix: My IELTS Made Easier podcast talks you through REAL Listening and Reading tests. Listen to as many as you can over the next few days.

Print off another test and time yourself carefully.

DO allow yourself 20 minutes for each passage, and write down your answers as you go through the test.

DON’T wait until the last 2 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

If you’re doing the Computer-Based test, you might prefer to practise on a computer.

Go back through your notes and double-check anything you’re not sure about e.g. timings, question types.

Spend Days 9 and 10 ‘immersed’ in English – talk to yourself in English to get your mouth muscles ready, have conversations in English if you can, and listen to the news in English.

Use Day 10 to relax and get organised:

• check your route to the test centre
• check times
• drink lots of water
• pack your bag with your ID documents and snacks ready
• set your alarm clock
• have an early night

DO: try to enjoy the experience and stay focused on your ultimate goal, the reason why you’re taking the test.

DON’T: stress about what to wear or how to greet the Speaking Examiner. These things don’t matter.

Get more general advice about the IELTS test here.

If you’re trying to improve your IELTS score, I normally recommend a 3 to 6-month study program, depending on your starting point and your goal.

Ignore the “How I got 7.5 in just one week!” posts – they did not magically get this 7.5 in 7 days of preparation. They were already 7.5. The test just confirmed it.

I hope you get the score you need the first time you take the test, but if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. The next time you take it you’ll be much better prepared.

If you’ve got a little more time to spare, my 28-day Planner for the Academic Test will help you get organised.

My Members Academy 3-month Study Plan is the perfect place to get started with your IELTS preparation. Join today.

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