Exam preparation · IELTS
IELTS preparation course online: feedback that moves your band score
Do you need a specific IELTS band score for a degree, a visa or your career? In our IELTS preparation course online you practise all four papers live with a teacher, sit mock tests under exam conditions and receive feedback based on the official assessment criteria. We build your study plan around your test date.
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At a glance
IELTS in brief
| Versions | IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training |
|---|---|
| Papers | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking |
| Duration | 2 hours 45 minutes in total: Listening approx. 30 min, Reading 60 min, Writing 60 min, Speaking 11 to 14 min |
| Scale | Bands 0 to 9 in whole and half steps; there is no pass or fail |
| Result | one band for each paper plus an Overall Band Score |
| Validity | the IELTS partners recommend two years; the receiving institution decides |
| Used for | Academic: university study and many professional bodies; General Training: work and migration |
IELTS preparation course online at choices®: the key facts
Our IELTS preparation course online combines language training with exam technique. You start with a placement and diagnostic test, receive a study plan that runs up to your test date and work live with a teacher, one-to-one or in a group of up to six. Mock tests and feedback against the official criteria show where your next half band lies.
What the course includes
- Placement and diagnostic test with an analysis of each of the four papers
- Personal study plan, planned backwards from your test date
- Live online lessons, one-to-one or in a small group (max. 6 people)
- Writing corrections based on Task Achievement or Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Speaking simulations of all three parts with feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation
- Mock tests under exam conditions, at least one complete test in real time
Please note: choices® does not run the IELTS test and does not issue certificates. You sit the test at an official IELTS test centre; we prepare you for it. How the test is structured and how band scores are awarded is explained in our guide IELTS preparation: format, scoring and strategies.
Which IELTS do you need: Academic or General Training?
The institution you are applying to decides which version and which band score you need. Universities and many professional bodies ask for IELTS Academic, while General Training is often used for work and migration. Listening and Speaking are identical in both versions; Reading and Writing differ. Check the requirements before you book your test.
Typical goals of our learners
- University study: a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an English-speaking country, or an English-taught programme in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. This almost always means IELTS Academic.
- Visas and migration: the relevant authority names the version and minimum scores, often for each paper as well. Only its official information counts.
- Career and professional recognition: employers and professional bodies, for example in regulated professions, sometimes require a specific band as evidence.
As a rough guide, IELTS places the threshold for CEFR level C1 between Band 6.5 and 7 (IELTS and the CEFR). Whether your target is 6.0, 6.5 or 7.0 will be stated in your admission or visa documents. The official pages describe the formats of IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training in detail.
If your university also accepts TOEFL and you are comfortable working on a computer, take a look at our TOEFL preparation course online. In your initial consultation we compare both routes with you.
How IELTS preparation works: from diagnostic test to mock exam
IELTS preparation at choices® follows a clear sequence: needs analysis, placement and diagnostic test, a study plan up to your test date, lessons with feedback, mock tests under exam conditions and a calm final week. That way you always know where you stand and which paper will give you the most extra points for the least effort.
- Needs analysis: we clarify your goal, the version, the required bands, your test date and the time you can invest each week.
- Placement and diagnostic test: a placement test shows your general level, and a diagnostic test in IELTS format shows your error profile. It includes a piece of writing and a short speaking sample.
- Study plan: your teacher plans the weeks up to your test and sets priorities. If your Reading is already at your target band but your Writing is below it, the time goes into writing.
- Lessons and feedback: in every lesson you practise task types and strategies. The texts you write between lessons come back with comments based on the assessment criteria.
- Mock tests: at least one full test in real time, plus speaking simulations. Afterwards we plan the final stretch together.
Tell us the date and your target score. We will suggest a realistic preparation plan.
IELTS training for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
For each paper we practise the task types, timing and a strategy that suits your error profile. Listening and Reading are mainly about accuracy under time pressure; Writing and Speaking are about the published assessment criteria. In our experience, qualified feedback on Writing and Speaking is where most learners gain the most bands.
Listening
Four parts, 40 questions, and you hear each recording only once. We practise word limits such as “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS”, typical distractors, correct spelling and a range of accents.
Reading
60 minutes for 40 questions, with no extra time to transfer your answers. The focus is on True/False/Not Given, matching tasks and a fixed time plan for each section. You will find more strategies in our IELTS guide with practice tips.
Writing
In the Academic test, Task 1 asks you to describe a graph or diagram; in General Training it is a letter. Both require at least 150 words. Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words and, according to ielts.org, carries twice as much weight as Task 1. For every text you receive a band estimate for each criterion and concrete advice for your next draft. Our article Writing an essay in English exams also shows how to structure an essay that works under exam conditions.
Speaking
According to the official format description, the interview lasts 11 to 14 minutes and has three parts. We simulate it live online, recorded if you wish, and work on fluent answers, a clear structure in Part 2 and well-argued responses in Part 3.
How long does an IELTS preparation course take?
How long you need depends on the gap between your current level and your target band. If you have almost reached your target, four to six weeks of format training is often enough. If you are a full band or more below it, twelve weeks or longer is realistic. The diagnostic test gives you an honest estimate, not a guarantee.
| Starting point after the diagnostic test | Focus | Rough guide |
|---|---|---|
| Target band almost reached | Format, strategy, time management | approx. 4 to 6 weeks, 2 to 3 lessons a week |
| About half a band below | Writing and Speaking with feedback, vocabulary | approx. 6 to 10 weeks |
| One band or more below | Language building first, then exam training | 12 weeks or more |
These figures reflect our experience; they are not a promise. How quickly you progress also depends on how regularly you practise between lessons. If your level is well below your target, a general English course online before the actual exam phase is often the better start. If your preferred test date is too close, we will tell you openly before you pay the test fee.
One-to-one or small-group IELTS course: formats and prices
You can book IELTS preparation as one-to-one lessons or in a small group of no more than six, both live online. Individuals pay from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson; companies pay from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson. Test fees are not included; you pay them directly to the test provider.
One-to-one lessons
For IELTS, one-to-one lessons are usually the more effective format. Your teacher works only on your weakest papers, corrects your texts in detail and sets the pace according to your test date. You schedule lessons flexibly, including evenings, around your studies or your job.
Small group
A group makes sense when several people are aiming for the same version at a similar level. Around four participants is ideal; six is the maximum. Even in a group, you receive individual feedback on your writing.
For companies
Companies book IELTS preparation for employees who need a result for an international assignment, a part-time degree or professional recognition. We start with a needs analysis, recommend one-to-one or group formats and, on request, report on attendance and learning progress.
IELTS registration and what happens after you book your course
choices® does not run IELTS tests and does not issue certificates. You book your test date yourself with an official IELTS test centre, on paper or on computer. Once you have sent your course enquiry, we contact you for the needs analysis, match you with a suitable teacher and align your study plan with your test date.
Your next steps
- No test date yet? It is best to book it after the diagnostic test. Then you know how many weeks you realistically need.
- Test date already fixed? Tell us when you enquire. We will plan the scope and intensity of your course to match.
- After the test: if you like, we go through your results for each paper together. If you are half a band short, we plan a short revision phase focused on that paper.
- Check validity: the IELTS partners recommend that results are accepted for two years, but each institution decides for itself (ielts.org on verifying results).
Who teaches you
Our teachers are trained in the IELTS task types and assessment criteria. Only about 1 in 25 applicants passes our selection process. If your teacher ever has to change, there is a structured handover covering your progress, error profile and previous texts, so you do not lose any time. For an overview of all the exams we prepare for, see exam preparation online.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does choices® run the IELTS test?
No. choices® prepares you for IELTS online, but does not run the test or issue certificates. You book your test date with an official IELTS test centre. We help you choose a realistic date.
Do you guarantee a particular band score?
No; no reputable provider can guarantee a result. After the diagnostic test we tell you honestly how far you are from your target band and how much preparation that usually requires.
Do you prepare for IELTS Academic and General Training?
Yes. We train Listening and Speaking in the same way for both versions and adapt Reading and Writing. For the Academic test you practise describing graphs and diagrams; for General Training you write letters in different registers.
How many lessons will I need?
That depends on the gap to your target band and on your test date. Two to three lessons a week plus independent practice is common. We suggest the exact number of lessons after the diagnostic test.
Can my employer book the IELTS course?
Yes. Companies book from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson, for individuals or for small groups of up to six. On request, you receive reports on attendance and learning progress.
What happens if I don’t reach my target band?
We analyse your results for each paper together and plan the retake, usually focusing on one or two papers. Test dates and conditions for a new attempt are set by the test provider.