Article: When you feel that your English skills have progressed enough that you want to take the IELTS, book your exam. But make sure to allow yourself at least 6 weeks to study for the test. This will help to ensure that you have enough time to prepare yourself for the test and you won’t have to retake it. Avoid cramming for the exam or trying to take the exam too soon if you don’t feel ready. The IELTS exam includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening sections. Consider what your strengths and weaknesses are to help you decide what you should focus on.  For example, if you excel at reading and writing English, but have more difficulty engaging in conversations, then you might want to devote more time to studying for the listening and speaking sections of the exam. If you feel that you are equally skilled in all of the test's areas, then you can divide your study time evenly. There are many free study guides and materials available online, or you can check a study book out of your local library, or purchase a study guide from a bookstore or online. Following along with a study guide will help to ensure that you fully understand the layout of the exam, and increase your chances of success. Some good options include:  Top Tips for IELTS Academic Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 & 2 How To Prepare for IELTS There are free and paid IELTS courses available. Some of the courses are in-person, while others are online. Find a course that works for you and enroll in it for some additional study time, guidance, and tips.  You can also watch IELTS test prep live streams on Facebook and Youtube. While these won’t provide the same targeted help as a course, you might still find them helpful. Taking an English course is also helpful if you don’t have access to an IELTS test prep course. Enroll in an English language course at your local university or online if this is an option for you.

What is a summary?
Begin studying 6 to 8 weeks before your test date. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses to decide what to focus on. Get an IELTS book or study guide to direct your studies. Find an IELTS prep course to get extra help.