7 Steps to a 7 or Higher on IELTS
Step 1: Research
  Go to a library/bookstore, test prep section.
  Look at practice test books. Get to know test format and language level.
  Look at online practice tests.
Step 2: Be Honest About Your Timeline
  Make a list of your strengths in English (Speaking, Writing, Listening, Reading).
  Make a list of your weaknesses in English.
  Pre-intermediate/intermediate level (IELTS 5-6) = 6 months of preparation.
  Intermediate or above (IELTS 6+) = 2-3 months of preparation.
Step 3: Book a Test Date
  Go to http://www.ielts.org/, click on “Find an IELTS test.”
  Look at dates 2-6 months ahead in your city and book a test date.
  You MUST have a test date, a deadline, for motivation!
Step 4: Make a Balanced Study Plan
  Make a balanced study plan of 2-3 hours a day. You need English skills AND IELTS
strategy skills.
  Half of the time should strengthen your general English ability, such as watching
movies and reading newspapers.
  The other half of your practice should be devoted to strengthening your testing
skills, such as essay structures for writing and skimming/scanning skills for
reading.
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Step 5: Find an IELTS professional or online course with a step-by-step strategy
system
  You can’t teach yourself what you don’t know. Don’t prepare alone.
  Find a course taught by an IELTS professional who knows the test and can teach
you the IELTS strategies and systems that will get you results.
  Learn the testing strategies in order to finish all tasks and find all the answers in a
short amount of time allowed on the test.
  The IELTS professional must teach you what the examiner wants in the speaking
or writing test.
  Don’t waste your time and money! Research the course and the instructor well.
Choose a motivating course that will not make you bored.
Step 6: Put in the Work
  Complete the hours of study every day.
  Learn the strategies and practice, practice, practice them. You must know the
test strategies very well, so you have no problems on test day.
  Challenge yourself. Chat with native speakers and watch movies without
subtitles.
Step 7: Make a plan for test day
  Know EXACTLY what happens on test day, so you are not surprised or illprepared. What time do you have to be there? What are you allowed to bring?
  Plan everything ahead of time.
o  What will you wear?
o  How will you get there?
o  What will you eat for breakfast?
  Make a plan for the time before the afternoon Speaking test.
o  Where will you eat lunch?
o  Where can you take a relaxing/energizing walk? Bring movies/music to
entertain yourself. You might have to wait hours between the morning
and afternoon sessions