Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Diagnose your current IELTS band and complete targeted preparation
1–2 weeks (diagnostic phase)
IELTS Academic requires 7.0+ (or 6.5+ depending on requirement). The four components — Listening, Reading, Writing, Academic (Task 1 graph description, Task 2 essay), and Speaking — are scored independently and an overall band is the average. Take an official IELTS practice test (Cambridge Academic books 1–19 — free via most libraries; official Cambridge IELTS practice tests are the only reliable simulation). Score your Listening and Reading against official answer keys. Write Task 1 and Task 2 under timed conditions (20 minutes + 40 minutes). Identify your two lowest-scoring components.
Proof required
Submit your diagnostic score sheet (Listening band, Reading band, estimated Writing band from a self-assessment rubric) and a 1-page action plan identifying your two weakest components and the specific skill gap within each (e.g. 'Reading — time management: I cannot complete all questions in 60 minutes'; 'Writing — Task 1 academic register: my language is too informal').
What gets checked
- Diagnostic used official Cambridge IELTS test materials — not a random online test which may not match exam difficulty.
- Action plan identifies a skill gap within the component, not just the component name.
- Writing was done under timed conditions — 20 minutes for Task 1, 40 for Task 2 — not open-ended drafting.
Common mistakes
- Using a free online IELTS simulator that is not calibrated to official exam difficulty — this produces inaccurate baseline scores.
- Scoring Writing yourself using only 'I think this is about 6.5' without applying the official IELTS writing descriptors.
- Skipping Speaking because it requires another person — if Speaking is a component in your target, include it in the diagnostic.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
Masteryfor the dedicated
What a verifier looks for
- Ask the student to describe the skill gap in their weakest component — not just the band score.
- Ask what Cambridge IELTS book they used for the diagnostic.
- Ask what the official Writing band descriptor says for Band 7 Task Achievement — confirms they have read the descriptors.
Complete targeted practice and receive IELTS mock test feedback
6–8 weeks
Complete six weeks of targeted IELTS preparation focused on your two weakest components from the diagnostic. For each component, complete at least 3 timed practice sessions per week. Then take a full mock IELTS test (all four components, timed) and have your Writing assessed by a qualified IELTS examiner or trainer (IELTS examiner certification is required — not a general English teacher). Get your Listening and Reading scored against official keys. Receive written band-by-component feedback.
Proof required
Submit your practice log (6 weeks, minimum 3 sessions per week for each weak component), your mock test scores (Listening and Reading with official key), and the written feedback from your qualified examiner or trainer on your Writing (Task 1 and Task 2, with band estimate and specific feedback on each writing descriptor).
What gets checked
- Examiner or trainer is qualified — IELTS examiner certification, or a registered IELTS trainer. Ask for their qualification to verify.
- Writing feedback addresses each of the four official descriptors: Task Achievement/Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
- Practice log shows genuine progress — the same low-band response repeated weekly without adjusting approach is not preparation.
Common mistakes
- Examiner or trainer without IELTS qualification — a native English speaker who is 'good at English' cannot accurately assess IELTS descriptors.
- Writing feedback that says 'this is about Band 6.5' without addressing the four official descriptors.
- Practice that focuses on vocabulary memorisation rather than task-specific skills — IELTS Writing rewards task completion and coherence above vocabulary range.
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Ask for the examiner's or trainer's qualification name.
- Ask what the feedback said about Coherence and Cohesion specifically.
- Ask what changed in their approach after the mock test feedback.
Sit the official IELTS exam and receive Test Report Form
Test date + 13 days for TRF
Book and sit the official IELTS Academic exam at an authorised test centre (British Council, IDP, or Cambridge — all three are authorised). The Test Report Form (TRF) is issued within 13 calendar days of the test date and is valid for 2 years from the test date. This milestone requires an overall band score of 7.0 or above with no individual component below 6.5 (adjust threshold if your application requires a higher minimum).
Proof required
Submit your official IELTS Test Report Form showing band scores for all four components and your overall band. The TRF must show test date, test centre, and candidate number.
What gets checked
- TRF is official — issued by British Council, IDP, or Cambridge directly. A photocopy of a score emailed without institutional letterhead is not a TRF.
- Overall band is 7.0 or above.
- No individual component score below 6.5.
Common mistakes
- Overall band 7.0 achieved but one component below 6.5 — the minimum per-component standard is required for many university and immigration applications.
- TRF submitted as a screenshot — the official TRF is a specific format; accept the IELTS Online Results portal confirmation as an alternative only if the TRF has not yet arrived.
- IELTS General Training TRF submitted instead of IELTS Academic — they are different tests.
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Verify the TRF is IELTS Academic, not General Training.
- Check all four component scores and confirm none are below 6.5.
- Verify the TRF is dated within 2 years if it is being used for an application.