What is the best way to study IELTS from 0 to 3.0? If you're just getting started, do not skip the planning phase. Follow the structured roadmap suggested below for maximum results.
1. Understanding IELTS Band Scores
Most IELTS candidates aim for a specific score based on their study or career goals. Understanding how IELTS is scored will help you identify your knowledge gaps and areas to improve.
1.1. How IELTS is Scored
Individual skills: Each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) has equal weight.
Overall band score: The average of the four skill scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5 or whole number.
If the average ends in .25, round up to the nearest .5
If the average ends in .75, round up to the next whole number
1.2. Meaning of Each Band Score
Band Score | Skill Level | Description |
9.0 | Expert user | Near-native proficiency |
8.0 | Very good user | Fluent, few occasional errors |
7.0 | Good user | Clear understanding, minor errors |
6.0 | Competent user | Can handle complex English with some errors |
5.0 | Modest user | Handles basic communication in familiar situations |
4.0 | Limited user | Basic vocabulary and grammar, struggles with speaking |
3.0 | Extremely limited user | Can only convey simple ideas (e.g., food, clothing) |
2.0 | Intermittent user | Understands a few words, very limited speaking/writing |
1.0 | Non-user | Knows only basic words like “hello”, “good” |
0.0 | Did not attempt the test | No English knowledge or no answers provided |
Most candidates aim for band 6.5 or higher to qualify for scholarships or international programs.
2. What Should Beginners (Below Band 3.0) Focus On?
At band 3.0, English proficiency is very basic. Learners can only manage simple, everyday conversations with difficulty. To improve effectively, you should:
Set clear long-term goals
Start with the most basic grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Familiarize yourself with IELTS question types and exam format
Focus on grammar and vocabulary topics commonly found in IELTS
3. IELTS Study Roadmap from 0 to 3.0
Here are the three key phases to move from beginner to band 3.0:
3.1. Grammar Fundamentals
Grammar is essential to improve your English foundation for IELTS. Start with:
Parts of speech: Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections
Tenses: Master key tenses like present simple, past simple, present perfect, and future simple
Real-life usage: Practice using tenses in speaking and writing contexts
Subject-verb agreement: Match subjects with correct verb forms
Relative clauses: Learn how to use “who,” “that,” “which,” “whose” properly
Comparison structures: Use comparisons to express ideas clearly, especially in Speaking and Writing
3.2. Vocabulary Building
Vocabulary plays a critical role in all four IELTS skills. To expand vocabulary effectively:
Learn from engaging sources:
Music: Learn through lyrics to enhance memory
Movies/TV shows: Improve word usage, pronunciation, and tone
Stories/novels: Practice scanning and skimming for Reading
Blogs: Learn practical vocabulary for real-life topics
Choose relevant topics: Focus on themes that match IELTS topics and your interests
Review regularly: Use new words within 24 hours of learning them to retain memory
Use mind maps: Organize vocabulary by topic to improve recall and fluency
3.3. Pronunciation Practice
Strong pronunciation improves both Listening and Speaking performance. Practice using:
IPA chart: Learn International Phonetic Alphabet symbols for accurate pronunciation
Movies and music: Observe native speakers’ pronunciation patterns
Conversations with foreigners: Speaking with native or fluent English speakers accelerates improvement
4. Recommended Books for Studying IELTS from 0 to 3.0
4.1. Grammar Books
Grammar for IELTS (Collins) – 20 grammar topics with practice exercises
Essential Grammar in Use (Cambridge) – 115 units with illustrations for beginners
Work on Your Grammar – Pre-Intermediate (Collins) – 30 grammar topics with examples
Oxford Practice Grammar – Basic – Covers word types, conditionals, indirect speech, tenses
4.2. Vocabulary Books
Vocabulary for IELTS (Collins) – 20 units divided into topic-based and function-based lessons
English Vocabulary in Use – Elementary (Cambridge) – 60 units with basic illustrated vocabulary
Oxford Word Skills – Basic (Oxford) – 18 units with real-life topics like daily routines, food, and people
4.3. Pronunciation Books
English Pronunciation in Use – Elementary (Cambridge) – 60 units covering IPA, sentence rhythm, and conversations
Tree or Three? (Cambridge) – 47 units that teach tongue, lip, and mouth positioning to pronounce sounds correctly
4.4. General English Textbooks
Solutions – Elementary (Oxford) – Suitable for middle and high school students, covers practical topics
Interchange – Level 1 (Cambridge) – Covers basic to intermediate grammar and vocabulary for everyday life
5. FAQs About Learning IELTS from 0 to 3.0
Is IELTS 3.0 difficult to achieve?
No, band 3.0 is achievable with consistent practice. It reflects basic communication skills, serving as a foundation for higher levels.
What is IELTS 3.0 equivalent to in TOEIC?
IELTS 3.0 is approximately equal to 255–455 TOEIC points.
How long does it take to go from 0 to 3.0?
With about 200 hours of study, or 3 hours daily, it takes around 2.5 months.
Check out: Improve Your Score with IELTS One Skill Retake
Final Thoughts
This guide has walked you through the most basic IELTS learning roadmap from 0 to 3.0. If you are starting from scratch, follow the steps above to build a solid foundation in English. For more IELTS tips and guidance, visit the official IDP IELTS website or message us directly via our Facebook fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/idpvietnam