Understand the Speaking Test Format

Establish Your Current Band

You should find out what your current speaking band and then you will know how much you need to improve.
The best way to do this is to find an experienced IELTS teacher and ask them to tell you.
There are also some teachers online that can help you establish your score and help you prepare for the IELTS speaking test.
If you can’t find anyone to help you take a look at the IELTS speaking band descriptors and these should help you find your level.

Set Your Target and Make a Timeline

Now that you know your current IELTS speaking band you should set your target and make a timeline. It is very important to be realistic at this stage.
It normally takes between 200-300 hours of study to move up half an IELTS band. Therefore if you studied 20 hours a week it would take you between 3-5 months to improve your score by half a band.
It should be noted that everyone is different and the figures above are very general. Some people can improve more quickly and for others it takes a little longer. Also, the 200-300 hour rules is for someone trying to improve all four skills, so if you are just trying to improve your speaking, you might be able to do it in a shorter period of time.

Make a Study Plan

Now that you know how long it will take you to get the score you need, you should make a study plan and stick to it. Some people decide to join an IELTS school and just study when they are there, but if you really want to improve you should be also practicing at home.
Check out our post on 25 free language learning tools for lots of great free websites that you can practice at home.
Below is an example of a study plan:
Monday
Morning- Listen to news in English (30 minutes)
Evening– Practice speaking with friends online (30 minutes)
Tuesday
Morning- Read my favourite English blog (30 minutes)
Afternoon– Meet my friend for coffee and speak English (30 minutes)