"How long will I need to prepare?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer is that there is no fixed number, because it depends on you. But there is a simple way to work out a realistic plan, and this article shows it step by step.
Three things decide how long you need
- The gap. How far is your current level from the score you need? Moving up half a band in IELTS, or one level in CELPIP, takes much less time than moving up two.
- Your weakest skill. Your lowest skill usually sets how long you need, because many goals ask for a minimum in every skill. Raising a weak skill takes longer than polishing a strong one.
- Your weekly time. Four focused sessions a week will take you further than one long session on a weekend and nothing else.
Step 1: find your starting point
Take a full practice test under real conditions: timed, with no pausing and no dictionary. Our free IELTS practice tests and CELPIP practice tests keep your results on your device. Write down your score for each skill, not only the total.
Step 2: measure the gap
Compare each skill with your target. If you do not know your target yet, check the requirement for your goal first. For Express Entry, for example, see our article on the CLB levels you need. A small gap in every skill is a very different plan from one large gap in a single skill.
Step 3: a rough planning guide
These are planning estimates, not promises. Every learner is different, and a test result also depends on the day.
- A small gap (for example half an IELTS band, or one CELPIP level in one or two skills): often a matter of weeks of steady, focused practice, mostly on exam technique and timing.
- A medium gap (about one band or two levels in several skills): plan for a few months. You are improving real English, not only test technique, so give yourself time.
- A large gap: build your English first with regular reading, listening and speaking, then move to exam practice. Rushing the test too early often wastes a test fee.
Step 4: build a weekly routine you can keep
Choose a small amount you will really do, for example four sessions of 45 to 60 minutes. Practise one skill at a time, and spend the biggest share on your weakest skill. At the end of each week, review your mistakes and write down what you will fix next week. Our weekly study plan shows a layout you can copy.
Step 5: re-test every few weeks
Take another timed practice test every three to four weeks. If your weakest skill has moved, keep going. If it has not, change your method rather than only studying more. A teacher's feedback on your Writing and Speaking can show you in minutes what you cannot see yourself.
When to book the real test
Book when your practice results are at or above your target several times in a row, not after one lucky result. That is a much better sign than a single good day.
If you would like a second opinion on your starting point, talk to us or look at our assessment and feedback service.