Retake Strategy: Band 6 to 7 - 4 Week Sprint (LRWS)
A focused 28 day plan to lift Overall from 6 to 7. You will set a baseline, attack two weak skills, and lock habits for speed and accuracy. Each week gives targets, daily blocks, and mini tools for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Use the mock schedule, score trackers, and repair moves to gain the extra correct answers, cleaner paragraphs, and stronger spoken structure that push you to 7.
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.