IELTS preparation

Get the IELTS score you need

Free resources, section-by-section strategies, and personalised guidance from your counsellor — 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 — your counsellor confirms the exact score for your target university.

BandCountry / ProgrammeWhat it means
5.5Foundation / pathway programmesBasic competence — you may start with a pre-sessional English course
6.0Hungary, Poland, Georgia, Malaysia (most programmes)Competent — sufficient for most Eastern European & Asian programmes
6.5UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy (most programmes)Good — the most common requirement for bachelor's & master's degrees
7.0Top UK/Canadian universities, MBA programmes, medicineVery good — required for competitive and professional programmes
7.5+Oxbridge, top law & medicine programmesExpert — only required by the most selective programmes
Test format

IELTS Academic — 4 sections, 2 hours 45 minutes

Listening

30 minutes · 40 questions
  • Read questions BEFORE the audio plays — predict answers
  • Watch for distractors — the first answer you hear isn't always correct
  • Practice with BBC podcasts and TED Talks at 1.25× speed
  • Spelling counts — practise common academic vocabulary

Reading

60 minutes · 40 questions · 3 passages
  • Skim first, then scan for answers — don't read word by word
  • Time yourself: 20 minutes per passage maximum
  • True/False/Not Given: "Not Given" means NO information — don't guess
  • Practice with academic articles from The Guardian or Nature

Writing

60 minutes · 2 tasks
  • Task 1 (150 words): describe the data — don't give opinions
  • Task 2 (250 words): present a clear argument with examples
  • Use linking words: however, moreover, in contrast, consequently
  • Spend 20 min on Task 1 and 40 min on Task 2 (it's worth more)

Speaking

11–14 minutes · 3 parts · face-to-face
  • Part 1: short, natural answers about familiar topics — 2–3 sentences
  • Part 2: speak for 2 minutes — use the 1-min prep time to make notes
  • Part 3: give opinions with reasons — "I believe… because…"
  • Don't memorise scripts — examiners can tell. Be natural.
Free resources

Practise for free

Official IELTS Practice Tests

Free sample tests from the official IELTS website — the closest to the real exam.

Visit ielts.org →

British Council Free Courses

Free online English courses and IELTS preparation materials from the British Council.

Visit britishcouncil.org →

IELTS Liz (Free Tips & Lessons)

One of the most popular free IELTS prep sites — video lessons, tips, and model answers.

Visit ieltsliz.com →

Not sure what score you need?

Your counsellor tells you the exact IELTS score for your target university and programme — and helps you plan your test timeline.

Ask my counsellor Chat on WhatsApp