The amount of time it takes for you to prepare for the IELTS language proficiency exam depends greatly on your individual circumstances. Most of my IELTS students from Singapore are also full-time working professionals or students with busy daily routines. They often find it difficult to set aside sufficient study time to prepare for the IELTS exam. To address this issue I will share a few tips, in this article, on how to how to incorporate your IELTS preparation into your schedule and educate would-be test takers on how much daily study time is required to prepare for both the General Training and the Academic IELTS exam.
How Much Time Should You Spend Studying For The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test?
This depends on your current level of proficiency, how much you need to learn and how quickly you learn new skills.
Some students try to study for the IELTS exam on the weekends when they have time to spare. I don’t recommend doing this. If you dedicate at least one or two hours a day to your IELTS prep, it will guarantee that you don’t lose your focus or rhythm. I suggest that you spend at least 15 to 20 hours a week preparing for the exam. More than this might cause more exhaustion and stress than is necessary, which can have adverse effects on your preparation.
Create A Study Plan.
The best way to manage your time effectively is to create a study timetable. Make a schedule that includes all four components of the exam namely listening, writing, and speaking. Spread them out throughout the day and over a number of weeks. Arrange the subjects progressively so you can start things slow and also include specific times to assess the skills you have learned during your study.
Make Sure To Practice To Improve Your Band Score.
Learning a new skill is quite different from applying it in real life. Make sure that your daily IELTS prep schedule includes enough practice time to reinforce the lessons you have gone through. You should also schedule practice or mock tests at the end of the week to assess whether or not your band scores have improved or not.
Use English In Your Daily Life
The IELTS exam assesses whether or not you are comfortable enough with the English language to survive and thrive in an English-speaking work or study environment. Therefore it would be ridiculous to think of your prep time as the only time you should be applying your knowledge and skills learned for the test. Incorporate the language into your daily activities, by conversing in English whenever possible. Try watching more programs or movies in English. Make sure you note down any unfamiliar words. The same can be said for reading. Try to find reading material like books or articles on topics that interest you. Note down new vocabulary and try to determine their meanings from reading in context. Your IELTS prep should not only include textbooks, practise tests and skills that you forget as soon as your daily study time is complete. Improving your fluency and understanding of the language is a continual process that requires a committed effort in order to get a good band score.