Preparing for IELTS online: where to start
You don't need to attend a course to prepare for IELTS. You need to know your level, a clear plan, daily practice and feedback that shows your mistakes. This page explains how to prepare from home, on your own schedule.
Step 1: find your level
The gap between your target band and your level today sets the plan. Going from 5.0 to 6.5 takes months of daily practice; 6.5 to 7.5 takes longer. Take a short mock or a level test first, then plan.
Step 2: practise the four sections separately
- Listening — listen every day and learn to read the questions before the audio starts. Numbers and names cause most mistakes.
- Reading — split your time: about 20 minutes per passage. Drill True / False / Not Given and Matching headings on their own.
- Writing — write at least two essays a week and get them graded. Ungraded essays teach you to repeat the same mistakes.
- Speaking — record your answers and listen back. For Part 2, practise making a plan in one minute.
Step 3: mock tests under real conditions
In the 4–6 weeks before the exam, take a full mock every week: timed, no breaks, in exam order. You get used to the fatigue and the clock, and you see which section loses you marks.
The most common mistake is practising only the section you enjoy. Your weakest section pulls the overall band down, so give it most of your time.
What Karvon has
Karvon is an online IELTS platform for learners in Central Asia. It runs in the browser and on your phone, in Uzbek, Russian and English, with practice for all four sections, full mock tests and AI grading of essays and Speaking answers.
Full and short mocks with a timer; Writing and Speaking graded by AI.
How each section works and what to expect on test day.
Week by week: what to do and when.
Part 1, 2 and 3 questions — open without signing up.
Can I prepare for free?
Karvon's guides, vocabulary, grammar and Speaking questions are open to everyone, no account needed. Mock tests, practice and AI grading need an account: your first day on Plan 2 is free, then you choose a monthly plan.
Common questions
How long does IELTS preparation take?
It depends on your starting level and target band. There is no official formula, but for most people one band takes several months of daily practice. A level test is the best place to start a real plan.
Can I prepare for IELTS without a course?
Yes. What matters is a plan, daily practice and outside feedback on Writing and Speaking. On Karvon, AI grades your essays and Speaking answers and shows where you lose marks.
How close is the AI grade to the real exam?
The AI grade is an estimate, not an official IELTS score. It uses the official criteria and points out mistakes, but your real exam band may differ a little.
Academic or General Training?
Study abroad usually needs Academic; work or migration often needs General Training. Listening and Speaking are the same; Reading and Writing differ. Karvon has both.
Find your level today
Create an account, take a mock and get AI feedback on your essay. Your first day is free.