Oxford ELLT study plan
Oxford ELLT · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Listening & Reading
Map the ELLT Listening and Reading task types and note the exact instruction wording each section uses, so you can recognise a task from its rubric alone
Build a personal error log with three columns (task type, cause of error, fix) and record every mistake from your first two practice sets in it
Complete one full Listening section under timed conditions and one full Reading section under timed conditions, then mark both against the answer key
Identify your two weakest Reading question types (for example matching headings or sentence completion) by tallying errors per type in the log
Your checkpoint
A one-page diagnostic sheet listing your baseline Listening and Reading scores plus your top three recurring error causes with a named fix for each.
Listening & Reading
Train prediction before audio: read the questions in the pause, underline keywords, and predict the part of speech or number type each gap needs
Practise catching distractors by transcribing three short listening extracts and marking where a speaker corrects or contradicts an earlier statement
Drill skimming and scanning separately on three texts: 90 seconds for gist, then locate five specific details by keyword
Paraphrase-match practice: pair ten question phrases with the synonymous wording used in the passage that carries the same meaning
Your checkpoint
Ten paraphrased question-to-passage pairs written out by hand, showing the original wording and the matching synonym.
Listening & Reading
Complete two full Listening sections back to back to build stamina and check whether accuracy drops in the final task
Speed-read three academic passages at a strict time limit and answer only the global questions (main idea, purpose, tone)
Practise note-completion and table-completion tasks, checking spelling, word limits, and grammatical fit of each answer
Review the error log and retire any error cause that has not recurred in two weeks
Your checkpoint
Two timed Listening sections and two timed Reading sections scored, with a before-and-after comparison against your week 1 baseline.
Listening & Reading
Simulate a full exam morning: Listening then Reading with no breaks, using the same timing you will face
Analyse every wrong answer from the simulation and classify it as vocabulary, timing, misread instruction, or missed audio cue
Close vocabulary gaps by building a 30-item list of academic words and collocations drawn only from passages you have already read
Rehearse a time-allocation plan for Reading and test it on two passages to confirm it holds
Your checkpoint
A full mock exam report with section scores, error classification counts, and a written time-allocation plan you have actually tested.
Writing & Speaking
Deconstruct the two ELLT writing tasks: identify what each rubric rewards and draft a reusable paragraph structure for each task type
Write one timed Task 1 response and one timed Task 2 response, then self-mark against the criteria for task achievement, coherence, lexical range, and grammar
Record three two-minute speaking answers on familiar topics and listen back to mark fluency, pronunciation, and range
Build a personal phrase bank of linking devices and functional language for opinion, comparison, and concession
Your checkpoint
Two marked timed essays plus a recording log of three speaking answers, each with two specific improvements noted.
Writing & Speaking
Rewrite your weakest week 5 essay, targeting the specific criteria you scored lowest on, and compare drafts side by side
Practise the speaking long turn: prepare and deliver four two-minute monologues using a one-minute planning routine
Drill grammar accuracy by editing three of your own paragraphs for tense consistency, articles, and subject-verb agreement
Answer follow-up speaking questions for five minutes without notes to build spontaneous response speed
Your checkpoint
A revised essay with the original and final drafts annotated, plus four recorded long turns with a self-assessment note on each.
Writing & Speaking
Complete a full timed Writing test (both tasks) and a full Speaking mock in one session to practise switching modes under pressure
Reduce hesitation markers in speaking by re-recording one answer and counting filler words before and after
Expand lexical range in writing by replacing ten repeated or basic words in a past essay with precise alternatives
Practise paraphrasing the writing prompt in one sentence to prove you have understood the task before planning
Your checkpoint
A full timed Writing test and a recorded Speaking mock, each scored against the criteria with a written action list.
Listening & Reading & Writing & Speaking
Run two complete mock exams across all four domains on separate days to test endurance and recovery
Review the error log one final time and confirm each earlier error cause is either fixed or has a rehearsed strategy
Rehearse exam-day logistics: timing checkpoints, answer-transfer routine, and speaking warm-up routine
Consolidate the phrase bank and vocabulary list into a single one-page revision sheet for the final 48 hours
Your checkpoint
Two full mock exam score reports compared against your week 4 baseline, plus a one-page final revision sheet.
Milestones
Week 2: You can read a Listening or Reading rubric and state the task type, the word limit, and the answer format without starting the questions.
Week 4: Full mock Listening and Reading scores are recorded and at least five points above your week 1 diagnostic in each, with errors classified by cause.
Week 6: Your rewritten essay scores higher than the week 5 original on the criterion you targeted, and you can deliver a two-minute monologue with a visible plan.
Week 8: Two complete mock exams are scored across all four domains, every recurring error cause has a rehearsed fix, and your final revision sheet fits on one page.