IELTS preparation
Get the IELTS score you need
Free resources, section-by-section strategies, and personalised guidance from your counsellor โ so you know exactly what score to aim for and how to get there.
Score requirements
What IELTS score do you need?
Requirements vary by country and programme. Here's a general guide โ your counsellor confirms the exact score for your target university.
| Band | Country / Programme | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | Foundation / pathway programmes | Basic competence โ you may start with a pre-sessional English course |
| 6.0 | Hungary, Poland, Georgia, Malaysia (most programmes) | Competent โ sufficient for most Eastern European & Asian programmes |
| 6.5 | UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy (most programmes) | Good โ the most common requirement for bachelor's & master's degrees |
| 7.0 | Top UK/Canadian universities, MBA programmes, medicine | Very good โ required for competitive and professional programmes |
| 7.5+ | Oxbridge, top law & medicine programmes | Expert โ only required by the most selective programmes |
Test format
IELTS Academic โ 4 sections, 2 hours 45 minutes
Listening
30 minutes ยท 40 questions
- โ Read questions BEFORE the audio plays โ predict answers
- โ Watch for distractors โ the first answer you hear isn't always correct
- โ Practice with BBC podcasts and TED Talks at 1.25ร speed
- โ Spelling counts โ practise common academic vocabulary
Reading
60 minutes ยท 40 questions ยท 3 passages
- โ Skim first, then scan for answers โ don't read word by word
- โ Time yourself: 20 minutes per passage maximum
- โ True/False/Not Given: "Not Given" means NO information โ don't guess
- โ Practice with academic articles from The Guardian or Nature
Writing
60 minutes ยท 2 tasks
- โ Task 1 (150 words): describe the data โ don't give opinions
- โ Task 2 (250 words): present a clear argument with examples
- โ Use linking words: however, moreover, in contrast, consequently
- โ Spend 20 min on Task 1 and 40 min on Task 2 (it's worth more)
Speaking
11โ14 minutes ยท 3 parts ยท face-to-face
- โ Part 1: short, natural answers about familiar topics โ 2โ3 sentences
- โ Part 2: speak for 2 minutes โ use the 1-min prep time to make notes
- โ Part 3: give opinions with reasons โ "I believeโฆ becauseโฆ"
- โ Don't memorise scripts โ examiners can tell. Be natural.
Free resources
Practise for free
Official IELTS Practice Tests
Free sample tests from the official IELTS website โ the closest to the real exam.
Visit ielts.org โBritish Council Free Courses
Free online English courses and IELTS preparation materials from the British Council.
Visit britishcouncil.org โIELTS Liz (Free Tips & Lessons)
One of the most popular free IELTS prep sites โ video lessons, tips, and model answers.
Visit ieltsliz.com โNot sure what score you need?
Your counsellor tells you the exact IELTS score for your target university and programme โ and helps you plan your test timeline.