Checklist

IELTS prep checklist

An IELTS checklist for international students targeting Speaking and Writing band gains across the Academic format.

Built for IELTS · International students targeting speaking + writing bands.

Progress

0 of 13 tasks complete

Diagnose your band

Find your current band per skill.

Take a full timed practice testListening, Reading, Writing, and a recorded Speaking mock under real timing.~165 minBand-score each skill with the descriptorsUse the public band descriptors for Writing and Speaking, the part that confuses most candidates.~30 minIdentify your limiting skillYour overall band rounds from four; find the one dragging it down.~15 min

Listening and reading detail

Train precise capture under time.

Drill Listening for spelling and numbersWrong spelling loses the mark even with the right word; practice transcription accuracy.~40 minPractice Reading skimming and scanningTrue/False/Not Given trips candidates; distinguish False from Not Given deliberately.~45 minBuild a paraphrase radarAnswers rarely use the question wording; train to spot synonyms.~35 minTransfer answers cleanlyPractice the answer-sheet transfer step that costs careless marks.~20 min

Writing and speaking craft

Lift band on the productive skills.

Practice Task 1 data descriptionAcademic Task 1 needs an overview sentence plus grouped key trends, not every number.~45 minPractice Task 2 essay structureA clear position, two developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion lift the coherence band.~50 minRehearse Speaking Part 2 long turnUse the one-minute prep to note a structure for the two-minute talk.~40 min

Full simulation and review

Rehearse and self-assess.

Take a full timed mock with recorded speakingHave a partner or recording stand in for the examiner.~165 minBand-score writing and speaking against samplesCompare to band 7+ models for lexical range and grammar.~45 minDrill the limiting skillTargeted practice only on your lowest band.~45 min

Common mistakes

Confusing False with Not Given in Reading; False contradicts, Not Given is simply absent.
Listing every number in Writing Task 1 instead of grouping and giving an overview.
Memorizing scripted Speaking answers, which lowers the fluency band.
Misspelling Listening answers and losing otherwise-correct marks.
Forgetting to transfer answers to the sheet within the timed window.

Pro tips

Always write a Task 1 overview sentence; its absence caps the Task Achievement band.
In Speaking, use the one-minute prep to sketch a structure, not a word-for-word script.
Train paraphrase recognition: answers reword the question deliberately.
Record speaking mocks and compare lexical range to band 7+ samples.
Practice True/False/Not Given as three distinct judgments, never two.

FAQ

How should I start the IELTS prep checklist?

Start with the first phase, then run one timed Study Spaces sprint before adding more tasks. The goal is execution, not a perfect plan.

What should I do if I fall behind?

Copy the remaining tasks, pick the highest-score or highest-deadline item, and restart with one focused block.

How often should I review progress?

Review after each sprint and once at the end of the week so the next session starts with a clear first task.

Browse resources

Use it now

Turn this page into a live sprint

Start the matching room for IELTS, then use the sprint plan as the first task and recap script.

IELTS prep checklist
Focus target: IELTS
Block 1 (25 min): closed-book recall or one timed practice set.
Break (5 min): mark confusing items without opening a new task.
Block 2 (25 min): correct misses and write the next first step.
Done: one score/error note plus one queued task for tomorrow.

Start IELTS roomResource list Compare methods