How long is a piece of string - as the saying goes? It all depends on several factors.
- How good your English is
- How far away from your band 7 and 8 you are in each part
- Whether you need 7/8 overall or in each part
- How much time you have to study and prepare
- How committed you are to getting your score
- How confident you are about getting this Band score
Let’s look at each one of these in turn.
How good is your English?
This question needs to be addressed in detail. It’s not just a matter of being able to speak, read, write etc. You need to have an advanced level of English to get Band 7 or 8. Remember that you will be competing with native speakers who have equivalent qualifications for both university places and jobs. If your profession is in short supply in a particular country then you will have an advantage but if not then it’s likely the competition will be head to head. As an absolute minimum you’ll need fantastic English skills and this means Band 7 or 8 in all areas.
You can test your general English (if you have already taken the IELTS test then you will know roughly where your English is) using any English Language Test. Go over to the free resources on IELTS Learning Tips and you’ll find a test there. This checks grammar but also vocabulary and it gives a fairly accurate result for your overall level (you can find an interactive version here: https://www.gapfillers.com/default.aspx you’ll need to register first but it’s free).
To obtain Band 7 you will need to score 45/50 at least and be at C1/C2 or Advanced Plus level. If you are there then you really need just IELTS Test practice to learn the skills and techniques required to complete the tasks in the IELTS exam with the required attributes. These can be checked in the Band descriptors.
This does not mean you should just jump in and take the test – it means that you can learn how to apply your English skills to the test.
If you fall below this level then as well as practising your IELTS skills you should also continue to practise your general English. The lower the score the more general English you should be doing.
For everyone writing is something you will have to work on too.
How far away from your Band Score are you?
If you have taken the IELTS then you will know this. If you haven’t then you’ll need to take a practice test and get an idea from that.
If you are very close to 7 and have actually achieved band 7 in some parts then probably 3 to 4 weeks might be enough (although if writing is the issue it can take a little longer sometimes). If you are further away than this or with no Band 7 levels at all then be prepared to study for 2 or 3 months to get there.
However your study MUST be systematic and regular.
Do you need band 7/8 overall or in each part
Clearly an overall score is easier to achieve than one with a high band in each part as you can juggle your skills. If you listening is good then try to get as high as possible in then to compensate for a lower writing band and so on.
Getting a high band in each part is a different kettle of fish. More especially if that band in band 8!!
You need to be equally proficient in every part of the IELTS test and your English skills must be excellent across the board. When you consider that you are competing with native speakers for your place then this really makes sense.
It is possible, and I have seen many students reach these levels, but you are in a minority and at the top of the IELTS tree. So to achieve this is a great accomplishment. Remember that the average score for IELTS test takers is around Band 6.
I’m not trying to put you off - aim high, work hard, practise well and it’s achievable. However, be realistic and set your expectations sensibly.
How much time do you have to practise?
The better your English the less time you will require. The more problems you have with the language the more time you’ll need to devote. So be honest with yourself and set your expectations sensibly and in that way you will not waste money and will be able to pass with flying colours when you are ready.
Check out my previous article for help with setting your study routine.
How committed you are to getting your score?
This may seem like a strange question but you would be surprised at how many students I speak to who are quite half-hearted about getting their band score.
To get Band 7s or 8s you really have to want it and in that way you will be determined to do whatever it takes to get it.
That may mean some disappointments, taking the test more than once, committed and prolonged study and also some financial investment in this venture. In my experience most students can get so far alone but there generally comes a point where they get stuck and need a little support and for this support you may need to part with some money. A good teacher will save you the expense of taking too many tests so it will be worth it in the long run. Also ask yourself an important question – “How important is it to you and your family that you are able to achieve your score?” The answer to this question is directly related to the amount of effort and commitment you are prepared to invest.
So don’t dismiss this question of commitment, it is very important and if you feel ambivalent about getting or not getting a high band then it’s probably better not to embark on this particular journey.
How confident you are about getting this Band score?
This question is related to the previous one and is really related to the test itself and when you book it - it’s the ‘secret sauce’ in IELTS. Having confidence can take you far. Lack of confidence can pull you down even if you are at the right level for Band 7 and 8.
I remember one sad story of a student of mine a few years ago who during the IELTS exam was convinced that her reading test had gone really badly and this affected the writing greatly as she was worried, felt she had ‘blown it’ and got into a panic. As a result of this the writing didn’t go well. When she received her score she got 6.5 in writing when she had planned for band 7 but imagine her horror when she got band 8 in reading!! It had all been so unnecessary and had she maintained her confidence she would most likely have got the 7 in writing.
The answer then, to the question of how easy Band 7 or 8 is to achieve is, not necessarily easy but certainly possible if you address all these points and prepare well.