How long does it take to study for the IELTS? Sharing effective methods for studying IELTS

Studying for the IELTS exam is a lengthy process that requires diligent and persistent practice. Many students lack the necessary confidence and haven't adequately prepared themselves for the challenging journey of IELTS preparation. So, how long does it take to study for the IELTS? Which methods of studying English for IELTS are effective? Let's explore these questions in the following article!

I. The significance of each band score in the IELTS exam

Before discussing how long it takes to study IELTS, you need to understand the significance of each IELTS band score. Only then can you determine specific goals and the right direction and roadmap for your IELTS preparation. Here is the information explaining the meaning of IELTS band scores for your reference:

II. Factors affecting the duration of studying IELTS

We need to understand the important factors that influence the time required for studying IELTS to provide the most accurate answer to the question of how long it takes to study IELTS. The time spent on IELTS preparation is significantly influenced by four main factors:

1. Current proficiency level of the learner

Firstly, you need to evaluate your current level of proficiency to estimate how long it will take to achieve your desired score in IELTS. 

People who have forgotten their English foundation, those with basic knowledge, and those who communicate well will require different amounts of time for review. It will take longer to learn and practice a significant amount of knowledge that you don't possess.

Therefore, if you are still unsure how much time you need to allocate for studying for the IELTS exam to achieve your goals, take the IELTS proficiency test on PREP right away to evaluate your English proficiency. Here, learners can choose between two types of tests: Full Test and Quick Test. Afterward, the system will score and identify the errors that need to be corrected, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the test takers, and finally suggest suitable courses based on the learners' current proficiency level.

2. Target IELTS score 

Whether you aim for a high or low band score will largely determine how long it takes to study for the IELTS and the level of your practice. The higher your target IELTS score, the more time you will need to invest in studying IELTS. However, depending on individual circumstances, learners who have a solid foundation and have already demonstrated the ability to achieve high band scores may not face the same time constraints when studying IELTS.

To set your desired IELTS band score goal, you must ask yourself the following questions and provide answers:

• What is the purpose of studying for the IELTS?

• Why choose IELTS over other certifications?

• What are the current band scores for each skill?

• What band score do you desire when participating in the real IELTS exam?

• Why set this band score goal?

• Exam participation time?

• Can you achieve your goals/purpose within this timeframe?

Once you have answered these questions, you will have a clearer direction for your study plan, and you will also be able to answer the question of how long it takes to study IELTS more easily.

3. Effective and fast exam preparation plan

The duration of IELTS preparation depends on your exam preparation path. Indeed, a clear plan, suitable courses, and appropriate approaches will help you improve your skills and knowledge rapidly. Furthermore, everyone has different proficiency levels, so each person's study path will also vary. Therefore, personalizing an individualized IELTS study path for effective exam preparation is crucial.

So how can you have an accurate and assured personalized study path? You can refer to the online IELTS courses provided by PREP, which offer detailed study paths designed by experienced teachers with years of teaching experience. Depending on each individual's proficiency level, the corresponding study path will differ. With a specific study path like that, you can determine how long it takes for you to study for the IELTS and how many lessons you need.

For example, for those who are at a basic level with an IELTS band score of 4.0, it is recommended to follow the personalized basic IELTS study path provided by PREP. Through 52 lessons of Basic IELTS Reading, Basic IELTS Listening, Basic IELTS Writing Plus, and Basic IELTS Speaking Plus, learners will practice writing sentences, develop coherent ideas, and enhance their ability to expand answers on various topics.

4. Determination and persistence of learners

This is the most crucial factor and will have the greatest impact on how long it takes for a person to study IELTS. You will not succeed and achieve your goals unless you are persistent and determined.

If learners lack persistence and determination, other criteria such as solid abilities, appropriate goals, or study paths become meaningless.

II. How long does it take to study for the IELTS?

How long does it take to study for the IELTS? This is a question that many people are concerned about before preparing for the IELTS test. However, the time required to study for the IELTS depends on the abilities and proficiency of the candidates. For students aiming for lower band scores, the time may be shorter and measured in weeks and months. As for those aiming for higher band scores like 7.0 and above, the study time will be calculated in years.

1. How long does it take to study for the IELTS for someone starting from scratch with a target of 5.0?

The four factors mentioned above will have the most significant impact on how long it takes to study IELTS. So how long does it take to study for the IELTS from scratch? However, in general, those starting from scratch will need to spend about 150 to 200 hours of studying, or 1.5 to 2 months, to improve their score by 1 band if they are truly diligent.

Specifically, it will take at least 6 to 8 months for someone with no English foundation to study and improve their IELTS band score from 0 to 5.0.

2. How long does it take to study for the IELTS 6.0-6.5?

Each person will require a different amount of time to prepare for the IELTS test depending on various criteria. So, How long does it take to study for the IELTS 6.0? How long does it take to study for the IELTS 6.5? For individuals who already have a knowledge foundation, the preparation time for IELTS 6.0-6.5 is at least 6 months.

How long does it take to study for the IELTS from 6.0 to 6.5? It will take more time to achieve this goal; you may need one to two years to accomplish it.

3. How long does it take to study for the IELTS 7.0?

If you immediately think that achieving a band score of 7.0 is difficult, do you have the motivation to keep trying? If you already have a decent level of IELTS proficiency at this level, although there may be occasional mistakes and inconsistencies, your English skills are already quite good, so reaching the 7.0 band score does not require much time.

A band score 7.0 usually involves using more complex language and understanding fast-paced conversations. How long it takes to study for IELTS 7.0 is not a problem if you make an effort, work hard, and persevere.

How long does it take to achieve a band 7.0 in IELTS? It usually takes from 2 to 5 months to go from a band 5.0 to 7.0 in IELTS. Your commitment and ability to maintain consistency will determine whether you achieve an IELTS 7.0 quickly or slowly. Particularly, learners starting from 0 and aiming for a band 7.0 will require more time. It may take 12-15 months or more than a year to go from 0 to 7.0. Some individuals may take a few years to reach a band 7.0 due to the significant gap between these two IELTS score benchmarks:

• At the band 7.0 level, you need to demonstrate clear and confident grammar skills. Minor grammar errors that are not significant are allowed at this level.

• Compared to band 6.0, you need to learn more vocabulary and grammatical structures.

• Progressing from 5.0 to 6.0 requires less time and effort compared to progressing from 6.0 to 7.0.

4. How long does it take to study for the IELTS 8.0?

It takes more time to reach from 7.0 to 8.0 because there is a significant difference between these two score bands. The time it takes to achieve an IELTS 8.0 varies greatly depending on individual proficiency, learning ability, and effort. It usually takes from one to two years. If you employ an effective test preparation strategy and have a focused study plan with feedback and assessment to identify areas for improvement, the study time required can be minimized.

III. How can you shorten your preparation timeline and improve your scores?

So, how long does it take to study for the IELTS? The answer depends on your level of dedication and an effective study plan to achieve your goals. First, you need to determine your current IELTS level based on factors such as your current English proficiency, purpose for taking the IELTS, and the time you can allocate for IELTS preparation.

It can be seen that achieving IELTS scores of 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 will require a certain amount of time, especially if you are self-studying at home. To shorten your preparation timeline and improve your scores, you can:

• Enroll in IELTS courses offered by PREP to have a suitable and effective preparation program, which can help reduce the preparation time. PREP provides personalized study plans to quickly improve scores within a specific timeframe for each score band.

• Practice using test materials available at Test Practice, which offers a collection of practice tests for in-depth training in the four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. You can choose to practice all four skills together within a simulated exam environment, and then receive accurate scoring and detailed feedback. Additionally, you can practice Speaking in the Virtual Speaking Room, where you can experience an authentic Speaking environment and receive accurate feedback from experts, helping you identify areas for improvement in your subsequent Speaking tasks.

In summary, PREP has provided answers to the question “How long does it take to study for the IELTS for each score band?”. Now the answers are clear. PREP hopes that you will gain confidence in your preparation and achieve good results!