Magoosh IELTS Review: How to Study and Prepare for IELTS

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Erin Jamieson

Erin Jamieson loves learning, but she's also a teacher. Erin is a senior lecturer of English at Ohio State University and has also worked as a social media specialist. Her unique view on learning and teaching allows her to look at available courses and see which ones will provide the most value to the student. Her own teaching style is very student-centered and focuses on active learning, so she understands how students learn and what a course needs to provide to make it helpful.

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For many, an IELTS exam can be a life-changing opportunity. A move to an English-speaking country can be daunting, but highly rewarded. And with the pandemic changing the landscape of how students take and prepare for the test, it’s a great time to review how a test prep service like Magoosh may be able to help. 

Testing may look different for students abroad hoping to teach in a Western, English-speaking country. As reported by the Times Higher Education, many students around the world will be offered at-home testing instead of at testing centers. This is temporary, as of October 2021, and there’s no way of knowing how long it may last. The goal is to deliver tests with the same content but in a safe environment.

But even before testing environments were changing, it became increasingly important to be versatile, flexible, and find innovative ways to study and prepare for the IELTS. As a test that’s important to so many, it’s important to put your best step forward. And that can be challenging when you don’t have a safe place– or any place– near you to seek study help.

Perhaps that’s why more students are drawn towards Magoosh. Touting its flexibility and affordability, Magoosh is one of the most popular test preparation services for the IELTS. But is it worth your money and time?

In this Magoosh IELTS Review, I’ll tell you what you need to know about the IELTS test, different ways to study, and what you can expect from Magoosh IELTS. 

What do you mean by IELTS?

If you’re reading this, chances are you have at least heard of IELTS. IELTS stands for “International English Language Test System.” The purpose of the test is to test your knowledge, understanding, and application of the English language. The test is designed to see if you’re prepared to study or work and live in a predominantly English-speaking country. 

Who is eligible for IELTS?

You must be 16 years or older to take the test. Beyond that, there are happily no other barriers. The test is available to people that are 16 years or older, regardless of educational background. As such, it’s simply intended for anyone who wishes to pursue education or a career in an English-speaking country. All that is required is studying and test fees. 

Can I get a job through IELTS?

IELTS is not a one-way ticket to a job. It merely opens you up to job possibilities. You’ll need additional qualifications, and need to take more steps to land a job and immigrate. You’ll need to check with that organization– or school– and see how they process IELTS scores. 

Which countries need IELTS for a job?

Countries that accept the IELTS include Canada, the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. It doesn’t mean it’s always required, but that it may be helpful and may be required. 

How much is the IELTS exam?

Costs range by country and test type. You can expect to pay an average of $250 for each time you take the test. You can retake the test as needed. 

Has the IELTS exam expired?

Unfortunately, your exam results have a life of just two years. After two years, you’ll need to retake the exam for your results to be considered. 

How many types of IELTS are there?

There are two types of IELTS tests. These include the academic test and the general training test. It’s important to understand the difference between the two so you take the correct one for you. 

Academic IELTS Exam

As the name suggests, you should take this exam if you want to pursue education abroad. However, it’s helpful for specialized and in-demand professions, such as nurses and doctors. 

General Training IELTS Exam

This is the more general exam that’s useful for general living and working in another country, such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the United States. This is suitable for less specialized professions. This is mainly for work and immigration purposes. 

What is the syllabus of IELTS?

The test structure is the same for both– it’s just the content that differs. The speaking and listening will be the same for both academic and general tests, though the reading and writing modules will test different content.

As you can see, the test is just under 3 hours. It’s important to make the most use of 10-minute breaks. 

IELTS Academic Reading

In this section, you’ll come across writing from books, magazines, journals, and anything that’s meant for a general audience. You’ll also need to be prepared to read graphs and charts. You won’t need to know any specialized information or technical terms. You’ll have 3 sections and multiple-choice, true or false, matching, identifying writer’s claims, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, summary, diagram, and short answer questions. 

IELTS Academic Writing

You’ll have two writing tasks. The first will ask you to look at charts and/or diagrams and write a neutral/factual response. The second task will ask you to elaborate on a randomized topic. This is a semi-formal style. 

IELTS General Training Reading

You’ll have three sections, and each section is more difficult than the last. The first section poses questions about daily tasks and includes looking at advertisements or other common written products you may encounter. The second section tasks you with work-related topics, including contracts, training, and job descriptions. The third and final section involves more detailed information and texts with complexity. You’ll encounter the same types of question formats as you would with the academic test. 

IELTS General Training Writing 

The general training exam also includes two writing tasks. The first task asks you to write a letter, usually to ask for information or explain something. In the second task, you’ll be given an argument and asked to discuss or dissect that argument. 

Is the IELTS difficult?

IELTS is reasonable in terms of difficulty level. It’s comparable to other standardized tests, but it certainly requires practice. The questions are not designed to trick, but rather tend to be straightforward. Of course, you have to be quite confident in your English speaking and reading skills. 

What is the hardest part of IELTS?

The hardest part of the IELTS ranges from student to student. It’s going to be the part you find most difficult about the English language. However, the most commonly cited section is the listening section of the test. The speed of information means you have to remember and comprehend material at once– and that can prove more difficult than reading or writing, where you can review information. 

How many times can IELTS be taken?

The IELTS test may be retaken any number of times– there is no limit. You will, however, have to pay a separate fee each time you take an exam. 

What is a good score in IELTS?

IELTS is scored differently than other standardized tests. It’s rated on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being the lowest score possible. It’s different in that there is no technically passing score– more scores that are deemed desirable for academic and employment purposes. These scores and descriptions are supplied by the British Council Guidelines. Descriptions are verbatim, courtesy of the IELTS Official Page. 

Scores are allotted as well. For instance, one can earn a 5.5 and so on. A score is awarded for each section of the exam. Your composite score represents the average of your scores– and is what is generally used to determine eligibility. 

A good score depends on what you need it for– and the standard imposed.7 is typically seen as a good score and anything above 7 is just a plus. You may be able to get by with 6 or 5.5, depending on the purpose. 

How can I pass the IELTS?

Passing the IELTS takes practice and studying. This isn’t a test you should show up for. If so, you’re doing yourself a disservice, both for the time and money you put into it. Instead, take your time to study. By familiarizing yourself with the test structure, types of questions, and practicing or mimicking the test, you’re giving yourself a better chance for success. 

Can I prepare for IELTS in 2 days?

Some claim you can cram from the IELTS, but I think this is a mistake. 2 days is not long enough to do much aside from seeing general information as to what the test structure is like and what to expect on test day. I recommend setting aside 8 weeks for studying. You may be able to get by with less, but a solid 8 weeks ensures you have time to practice all test question types, grow more confident, and put your best step forward. 

How can I study for the IELTS?

You can hire a tutor, enroll in a test prep service, or study on your own. Of course, you can do a combination of all of these.

Can I self-study for IELTS?

If you’re self-motivated and already have a high skill level, there are several things you can do at home. The British Council offers free online IELTS tests. The official IELTS website also offers free IELTS Tests and Practice Questions, as well as general information. Practice by shoring up on your vocabulary, reading English texts, and speaking with someone fluent (or competent) in English. Listening to English audio is also important. For some, this may be enough. Many will require additional preparation. 

Why should I use online test preparation for IELTS?

The benefit of online test preparation is that you not only practice but learn skills and strategies to conquer the exam. Taking a few practice tests has a limited impact on your comprehension. Online test prep is designed to help you tackle whatever questions you encounter, improve your confidence, and even learn pacing for the test. 

Is Magoosh IELTS Worthwhile? 

If you’ve looked into any online test preparation services, you’ve likely come across Magoosh. Magoosh is one of the most recognized online learning platforms, with 1.5 million students who have used if and counting. Magoosh is highly respected as a business, with few complaints and a history of excellence. Magoosh is not a substitute for tutoring or personal services. It is, however, a leader in self-paced learning. 

How much does Magoosh IELTS cost?

Magoosh offers a 7 day trial for all of its programs, for questions asked. If you try for 7 days and don’t like it, you can cancel your account and don’t have to pay. Magoosh IELTS services are more expensive than some of their popular test preparation programs, such as the Praxis (for teaching). You have a choice of two plans. 

Magoosh doesn’t disclose how long these prices will last, but as I’m writing this, the 6-month plan is by far the better deal. First of all, one month simply isn’t enough for many to study for the test. For the upgraded plan, you get 5 more months of access, more graded assignments, and the option to pay monthly– for only a little more money. If the promotional prices were to end, the price difference would be substantial.

What does a Magoosh IELTS plan come with?

To further look into what studying with IELTS is like, I want to take a look at each feature, and how valuable it is for preparing for your test. It’s important to understand that Magoosh’s preparation is useful for general preparation– you’ll need to supplement accordingly for academic vs general. The two tests do differ slightly, but Magoosh does offer excellent features that will be useful for either test.

In addition to these features, there’s also the free IELTS Blog. Some features are not free, but the blog is helpful, supplying vocabulary resources, information about each section of the test, and links to other resources, such as podcasts and books.

Writing Assessments

You’ll be given both Task 1 and Task 2 tests, which can be taken during regular practice or a mock exam. You’ll receive an assessment after just 2 days, graded by IELTS test experts. Your assessment includes a band score, a score breakdown (based upon coherence and cohesion, lexicon, grammatical accuracy and range, and task achievement), and detailed, personal advice on what you did well and how to improve. 

Speaking Assessments

The process for speaking assessments is the same. You can submit a speaking assessment during practice or a mock test. You’ll receive a band score, a band score breakdown, and detailed personalized feedback about what you’re doing well and what you can improve. 

Ask an Expert

This feature is more or less just email support. When you log into your account, there will be a “Help Button.” This is where you can ask about technical issues, how to use a study schedule, or even questions about lessons or test material. You should receive a reply within just 1 business day. 

Schedule for Studying

One big drawback to studying online is that it can be hard to stay both motivated and focused. That’s why I like the schedule feature. Study schedules provide checklists for suggested topics you should cover, and can range from 1 week to 1 month. You can also email Magoosh to adjust your schedule to fit your needs. You can see a Sample IELTS Study Plan Here. 

Score Prediction

The final paid feature is a score predictor. This updates as you study and answer questions. You can check your predicted score anytime in your dashboard. I like that this shows you a realistic idea of what score you might expect– and also is a way to track progress. To predict your score, your progress is compared with other Magoosh students. This might not be 100 percent accurate, but it’s still a great way to understand how you’re progressing and if you’re close to your goal. 

What do students say about Magoosh IELTS?

Magoosh as a test prep platform enjoys high praise, with an average of over 4.5 out 5 stars on websites like Trustpilot. However, I searched for specific experiences with the IELTS test preparation. On other websites like Quora and Reddit, students shared their unfiltered opinions about their learning experiences.

Some claimed you could just watch free Youtube videos, while others praised Magoosh. There were no signs of students trying Magoosh and regretting it. One praised the easy study guides and helpful resources.

While I love saving money, too, I will also add that free videos simply are not a substitute for what Magoosh offers– and it seems students that have tried Magoosh IELTS agree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Decision: Give Magoosh IELTS A Try

Magoosh offers a great studying platform for an IELTS exam. Combining self-paced study with personalized feedback is a plus. Combined with a wealth of resources, an informative blog, and learning support, it has the potential to help you score your best. I also love that it’s led by two experts.

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is a Harvard graduate and has taught IELTS and TOEFL for 10 years. David Racine has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He’s taught English for over 20 years and worked with both IELTS and TOEFL students. 

Are you interested in learning with Magoosh? Enroll in Magoosh IELTS Here.