Retake Strategy: Band 6 to 7 - 4 Week Sprint (LRWS)

1) Sprint overview - how this works

• Choose a fixed test date that is 4 to 6 weeks away.
• Run a baseline mini mock today: L 20 Q, R 1 passage, W Task 2, S Part 2 plus 2 Part 3.
• Pick your two lowest skills - they get double time in Weeks 1 to 3.
• Train short and strict: two 35 minute blocks daily plus one rest day each week.

Band math guide - approximate

• Listening or Reading 30 to 31 correct ≈ 7.0, 32 to 34 ≈ 7.5.
• Writing and Speaking rise in half steps by cleaning one weak criterion.

2) Weekly map and goals

Week 1 - Diagnose and rebuild

Goal: find exact leaks and fix the basics.

• Listening: trap filter and number formats.
• Reading: passage mapping and True False Not Given logic.
• Writing: Task 2 claim blueprint and paragraph shape.
• Speaking: Part 2 hook plus arc, Part 3 CIRCLE frame.

Week 2 - Speed and range

Goal: raise correct answers under time.

• Add two mini timers daily for L and R.
• Build Writing body paragraphs fast with one number or condition.
• Stretch Speaking answers to 70 to 90 seconds with a clean end line.

Week 3 - Exam mix and pressure

Goal: handle distractors and complex texts.

• Alternate easy and hard sets in one sitting.
• Record Speaking and mark repeats in linkers and fillers.
• Edit one Task 2 to 250 to 290 words with precise verbs.

Week 4 - Peak and taper

Goal: hold accuracy, reduce noise.

• Two full mocks early in the week, one light rehearsal later.
• Final repair list: articles, plural and past endings, over linking, vague claims.
• Sleep and routine stable from three days before test.

3) Daily schedule - two blocks

Block A - 35 minutes

• 10 min: L or R timed set
• 10 min: mark and note error types
• 15 min: Writing micro task or Speaking drill

Block B - 35 minutes

• 15 min: the other receptive skill timed set
• 10 min: error repair and flash review
• 10 min: Speaking answer or Writing edit pass

Tiny habit each day

• Replace one heavy phrase with a lighter one in Writing.
• Replace one repeated linker in Speaking.
• Log two new paraphrases used in L or R.

4) High yield repair moves by skill

Listening - quick wins

• Mark numbers, totals, negatives before audio.
• Expect corrections after a wrong first idea.
• Write in capitals, confirm spelling of names and compound nouns.
• If lost, skip one item and rejoin on the next chunk boundary.

Reading - quick wins

• Map quickly: title, first and last lines of each paragraph.
• Answer ordered types in order and unordered types by scanning nouns.
• For True False Not Given: Not Given means the text does not answer the exact claim.

Writing Task 2 - quick wins

• Paragraph blueprint: claim, reason 1 plus example, reason 2 plus limit, mini close.
• Use one cause or contrast per sentence, not both.
• Add a small number or a condition to move from 6 to 7.
• Trim legalistic phrases: in order to → to, due to the fact that → because.

Writing Task 1 - quick wins

• One sentence overview first.
• Group by pattern or category, not by year.
• Name a high, a low, and one exception with figures.

Speaking - quick wins

• Part 2: hook line, one example, one lesson.
• Part 3: CIRCLE - claim, reason 1, reason 2, example, limit, end line.
• Use reference words this trend, these costs to avoid repetition.
• Pause silently instead of filling with um.

5) Week plans in detail

Week 1 plan

• Mon: Baseline mini mock and leak list.
• Tue: L Section 1 or 2 - numbers and spelling - 2 sets. R headings - 1 passage.
• Wed: Task 2 build two body paragraphs. S Part 2 hook menu and 1 recording.
• Thu: L Section 3 - note shifts and synonyms. R T F NG - 12 Q.
• Fri: Task 2 full outline and 150 word intro plus one body.
• Sat: Speaking Part 3 - three CIRCLE answers with recording.
• Sun: Rest and light review - flash cards only.

Week 2 plan

• Mon: L Section 4 note-only summary - 10 Q. R sentence completion - 12 Q.
• Tue: Task 2 30 minute draft - 250 to 280 words.
• Wed: S Part 2 - two topics, 120 seconds each.
• Thu: L mixed 12 Q under 10 minutes. R matching info - 12 Q.
• Fri: Edit Tuesday essay using the 4 minute end check.
• Sat: Mini mock Quick 60.
• Sun: Rest.

Week 3 plan

• Mon: L 20 Q mixed, R 1 passage - academic style.
• Tue: Task 1 overview plus two comparisons.
• Wed: S Part 3 - lenses practice cost, equity, risk.
• Thu: L distractor drill - expect corrections. R yes no not given - 12 Q.
• Fri: Task 2 discuss both views - balanced close.
• Sat: Full 95 mock with speaking.
• Sun: Review and select three edits to repeat next week.

Week 4 plan

• Mon: Full mock with timing.
• Tue: Fix list - grammar endings, linkers, article pass.
• Wed: Speaking polish - record P2 and three P3 answers.
• Thu: Light L and R review - two short sets only.
• Fri: Rest, pack, sleep early.
• Weekend test: routine as practiced.

6) Score trackers you can copy

Receptive accuracy

Date  Set type    Items  Correct  Error type 1  Error type 2  Note ----  ----------  -----  -------  ------------  ------------  ----

Writing edit log

Draft date: _______  Words: ______ - Claim sharper? Y/N - One number or condition added? Y/N - Linkers trimmed? Y/N - Articles and endings pass complete? Y/N Next fix: __________________________

Speaking repeat watch

Filler words: ___  Repeated linkers: ___  Weak endings: ___ One change for next run: _________________________________

7) Sample materials inside the sprint

Task 2 prompt
Some people think cities should widen roads. Others prefer bike lanes. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Part 2 cue card
Describe a tool or app that improved your routine. Say what it is, when you started using it, how it works, and why it helps.

Part 3 prompts

• Who benefits most from transport apps
• Are fines or education more effective for road safety
• When should cities restrict cars

8) Half band boosters - one move per skill

• Listening: underline totals and negatives before audio, then confirm units.
• Reading: write a two word map of each paragraph before answering.
• Writing: add a limit line such as This works in dense city centers with short trips.
• Speaking: end with a direct answer line such as On balance, bike lanes help more people daily.

9) Cut rules that protect your score

• Do not spend more than 90 seconds on any one Reading item.
• Do not chase a lost Listening answer; rejoin at the next number.
• Do not write more than 290 words in Task 2.
• Do not repeat however twice in one paragraph or answer.

10) Final week checklist

[ ] Two full mocks completed
[ ] Essay intros and closes ready
[ ] Part 2 hook memorised and three Part 3 stems ready
[ ] Sleep, transport, and gear planned
[ ] One page of paraphrases reviewed for L and R

Stay strict with timing, fix one leak at a time, and track trends. Four focused weeks with clear targets will convert a 6 into a 7.