IELTS Comprehensive Biweekly Practice Schedule

Introduction

Developing a structured study plan is essential for achieving a high IELTS band score. This guide offers a clear, step-by-step schedule with practical strategies, time management techniques and section-specific routines. You will learn how to assess your starting point, allocate study blocks effectively and build the core skills needed for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Whether you are beginning test preparation or have tried other methods without success, this biweekly plan will keep you on track.

TL;DR

• Assess your current level with a diagnostic test
• Break study time into focused intervals
• Follow section drills twice a week
• Submit essays for feedback with a tool like Lingo Copilot

Phase 1: Skill Assessment

Assess current level

Core Concept: Identify strengths and weaknesses before planning

• Take a timed Listening and Reading section under exam conditions.
• Record Speaking responses to Part 1 questions.
• Write a Task 1 and Task 2 essay under 60 minutes total.

Diagnostic test example

• Use Lingo Copilot for a section-specific practice test (Reading Section 1–3 or Listening Parts 1–4).
• Review estimated band score predictions to set realistic goals.

Develop target band goals

• Compare current scores to your required band.
• Set incremental targets for each skill (e.g., +0.5 band per month).
• Track progress in a study journal or spreadsheet.

Action steps for Week 1–2

• Schedule two full diagnostic sessions.
• Note error patterns (time, vocabulary or grammar).
• Group errors by section to inform Phase 2 and Phase 3 activities.

Phase 2: Time Management Tactics

Core Concept: Micro-practice and realistic pacing

Create a biweekly calendar

• Divide available study hours into 60–90 minute blocks.
• Reserve break days every fourth study day to avoid burnout.
• Label blocks by skill: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.

Sample weekly block distribution

1. Listening drills (2 sessions)
2. Reading speed practice (2 sessions)
3. Writing task drills (2 sessions)
4. Speaking rehearsals (2 sessions)

Techniques for pacing

• Pomodoro intervals: 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off.
• Adjust block lengths: longer for Writing, shorter for Speaking.
• Use a timer app to simulate exam pacing.

Adjust based on performance

• If Reading accuracy drops below 70%, increase reading sessions.
• Reallocate time from low-impact drills to weak sections.
• Record time per question to improve speed gradually.

Phase 3: Section-Specific Practice Routines

Listening (Parts 1–4)

Core Concept: Active listening and note-taking

• Practice with 20–30 minute audio clips.
• Focus on paraphrasing speaker intent and key facts.
• Test note-taking using symbols and abbreviations.
• Review transcripts to identify missed details.

Reading (Sections 1–3)

Core Concept: Skimming and scanning under time pressure

• Drill skimming for main ideas in 2 minutes per passage.
• Use scanning exercises to locate specific facts quickly.
• Practice True/False/Not Given to sharpen inference skills.
• Time each section to achieve 60 minutes total.

Writing (Tasks 1–2)

Core Concept: Structure and clarity

• Task 1: Spend 5 minutes planning, 15 minutes writing, 5 minutes reviewing.
• Task 2: Spend 10 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing, 5 minutes reviewing.
• Focus on cohesive paragraphs: introduction, body, conclusion.
• Submit essays to Lingo Copilot for targeted writing feedback, including grammar corrections and model answers.

Speaking (Parts 1–3)

Core Concept: Fluency and range

• Part 1: Answer familiar questions for 4–5 minutes.
• Part 2: Prepare cue-card topics; record a 2-minute monologue.
• Part 3: Practice follow-up questions to deepen responses.
• Use a voice recorder to assess pronunciation and coherence.

Weekly drill rotation

• Week 1: Listening + Writing
• Week 2: Reading + Speaking
• Week 3: Rotate to Address Weakest Sections
• Week 4: Combine mixed skills under timed conditions

Conclusion

Following a structured biweekly plan helps you build momentum and track real improvement in each IELTS skill. Use time management tactics to stay consistent and section-specific drills to tackle particular challenges. For extra support, try Lingo Copilot free trial to access unlimited practice questions for all sections and personalized feedback. Commit to this schedule, adapt as you progress and reach your target band score with confidence.