GRE Shorter Format (Sept 2023 onwards) · German B2 · IELTS 7.0+ with OSR strategy
3–4 hrs/day · All exams by Month 18 · Starting from A1 German & GRE zero
Let's be honest about the math before committing 18 months of your life.
3–4 hrs/day over 18 months = ~1,900 to 2,500 total study hours. German B2 from A1 requires ~800–1,000 hrs (your biggest investment). The Shorter GRE to 310–320 needs ~200–280 focused hours. IELTS 7.0+ with your English background needs ~120–160 hrs of targeted practice. That's ~1,120–1,440 hrs of real need — well within your budget, with buffer for revision, rest, and mock tests. The sequencing is the art: front-load German and GRE in parallel, ramp IELTS in the final stretch.
GRE Format Note (Effective Sept 22, 2023): The exam is now the Shorter GRE — 1 hr 58 min total, 55 questions. The "Analyze an Argument" essay is permanently removed (only "Analyze an Issue" remains). No experimental/unscored section. On-screen calculator and mark-and-review added. Score scale unchanged: 130–170 per section. Each question now carries more weight. Prep materials from before 2023 are still content-valid — question types didn't change, only quantity and one essay.
IELTS Key Update: The One Skill Retake (OSR) is now globally available at computer-delivered centres. You can retake a single underperforming module (Writing or Speaking) within 60 days of your full exam — without redoing everything. This changes your strategy significantly. Also: IELTS has implemented anti-template algorithms. Memorised essay openers, vocabulary dumping (overusing "plethora", "myriad", "burgeoning"), and scripted Speaking answers are now actively penalised. Authenticity and specific logical reasoning are rewarded.
Fixed sessions in a consistent order eliminate decision fatigue. Adjust clock times but keep the sequence — hardest material goes first when your brain is fresh.
Peak focus slot. Tackle quantitative problems, verbal drills, or AWA practice. Never passive reading here — this is where you engage with the hardest material. In later phases, run timed section mocks.
Grammar study, textbook exercises, writing output, or speaking practice. Duolingo is only a 10-min warmup here, not the main event. From Month 5, sessions with a native speaker on italki go here.
Mon/Thu: Writing Task 2 (unseen prompt, timed, unscripted). Tue/Fri: Speaking (spontaneous 2-min recording on random topic). Wed: Reading drill from Cambridge books. Sat: Listening (UK/Australian accent focus). Sun: Full IELTS mock (once a month).
Review Anki flashcards (GRE vocab + German vocab decks — one deck serves both). Then 15–20 min German podcast, Easy German YouTube, or Deutsche Welle while doing nothing else. This compounds silently over 18 months.
| DAY | SESSION 1 (GRE) | SESSION 2 (GERMAN) | SESSION 3 (IELTS) |
|---|---|---|---|
Monday |
Quant: Arithmetic / Algebra | Textbook chapter + exercises | Writing Task 2 Unseen prompt, timed 40 min |
Tuesday |
Verbal: Text Completion + SE | Grammar focus (new concept) | Speaking 2-min random topic recording |
Wednesday |
AWA: Issue Essay practice | German writing output (journal) | Reading Cambridge drill, timed |
Thursday |
Quant: Geometry / Data | Vocab focus + Anki building | Writing Task 1 (if Academic) or Part 1 Speaking |
Friday |
Verbal: Reading Comprehension | iTalki session or Tandem exchange | Speaking Part 2 cue card — spontaneous |
Saturday |
Timed mini-test (1 section each) | German immersion (show / podcast) | Listening Full section with UK/AU accents |
Sunday |
⟳ Weekly review: 30 min error log across all 3 subjects. Then rest. No new material. | ||
Each phase has a distinct character. Don't skip ahead — the sequence is load-bearing.
MONTHS 1–4 · BUILDING THE BASE · ~480 HOURS TOTAL
MONTHS 5–10 · CORE SKILL BUILDING · ~720 HOURS TOTAL
MONTHS 11–15 · REFINEMENT & DEPTH · ~600 HOURS TOTAL
MONTHS 16–18 · EXAM-READY · ~360 HOURS TOTAL
Organised by skill area. Free-first approach — most of what you need costs nothing. Paid books are widely available as PDFs online.
ARITHMETIC · ALGEBRA · GEOMETRY · DATA INTERPRETATION
ETS officially recommends Khan Academy for Quant prep. Covers every topic tested: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation. Video + practice. Best for building foundations in Months 1–4.
khanacademy.orgGreg Mat's YouTube channel is arguably the best free GRE resource that exists. Covers both Quant and Verbal strategy in depth, with live problem solving. Exceptional for timed problem strategies and Section 2 hard questions.
youtube.com/c/GregMatThe only official GRE practice tests. Closest simulation of real exam difficulty and adaptive scoring. Use strategically: Test 1 at Month 2 (diagnostic), Test 2 at Month 16 (pre-exam). Don't waste them early.
ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/powerprep.htmlETS publishes free Quant and Verbal sample questions with explanations on their website. Use these before buying any paid material — they are the exact question style you'll see on exam day.
ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/materials.htmlThe definitive Quant practice bank. 1,800+ problems across all difficulty levels. Content is fully valid for the Shorter GRE (question types unchanged). Work through chapters systematically by topic. Best used from Month 2 onwards.
Explicitly updated for the Shorter GRE format. Includes 6 full-length practice tests (2 in-book, 4 online). Strong on test strategy and timing. Best used in Phase 3 when you're doing full mocks.
Free: vocab flashcard app (1000 words), sample lessons, some practice questions. Paid: full video course + 200+ video explanations + 1000 practice questions + 3 mocks. The paid version is worth it if you can afford it (~$149). The free tier alone is very useful for vocab.
magoosh.com/greCommunity-driven platform with thousands of practice questions, forum discussions, and error explanations by expert members. Particularly strong for hard-level Quant questions. Free to use.
gre.myprepclub.comTEXT COMPLETION · SENTENCE EQUIVALENCE · READING COMPREHENSION
Anki is free and open source. Download the Magoosh GRE 1000 Essential Words deck (free on AnkiWeb). 10 new cards/day from Month 1. These same words will boost your IELTS Writing and Speaking — one deck, double the return.
apps.ankiweb.netGreg Mat has organised GRE vocabulary into frequency-based groups on YouTube and his website. His "Group 1–40" vocabulary series is free and covers the most-tested words in context, not just definitions. Far more effective than raw memorisation.
gregmat.comAdaptive vocabulary learning that teaches words in context and tests retention intelligently. Free tier is generous. Great supplement to Anki for the words you keep forgetting — the contextual sentences help them stick.
vocabulary.comTheir "500 Essential Words" and "500 Advanced Words" flash card sets are well-curated. The advanced set is particularly useful for Phase 3 when you're targeting 155+ on Verbal and need nuanced word knowledge.
ETS publishes the complete pool of Issue essay topics — your actual exam prompt will come from this exact list. Practice on real prompts only. Access it free on the ETS website and work through 2 per week from Month 2 onwards.
ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/analytical-writing/issue.htmlOfficial ETS tool that scores your essays using the same e-rater system as the real exam. $13 for 2 essays. Use 2–3 times in Phase 3 to get a calibrated sense of where your AWA actually stands before exam day.
scoreitnow.ets.orgA1 to B2 in 18 months is demanding but proven. The resource ecosystem for German learning is exceptional — much of it free.
STRUCTURED PROGRESSION · A1 → A2 → B1 → B2
Your starting textbook. Modern, communicative approach. Complete it by Month 3. Covers basic grammar, survival vocabulary, simple conversation patterns. Comes with audio downloads.
Month 4–7. Expands grammar significantly: past tenses (Perfekt, Präteritum), comparative forms, more complex sentence structures. Stay disciplined through this — A2 is where many learners stall.
Month 8–11. The longest and most important textbook. B1 is where German starts clicking — complex grammar, nuanced expression, abstract topics. Complete every exercise. Don't rush.
Month 12–16. B2-level textbook aligned with Goethe exam format. Covers formal writing, complex reading texts, academic listening. Aspekte Neu B2 is slightly more modern; either works well.
GRAMMAR · LISTENING · SPEAKING · IMMERSION
Katja explains German grammar in English with exceptional clarity. Best for A1–B1 grammar concepts. Use alongside your textbook — watch the relevant video before studying a new grammar chapter. It dramatically reduces confusion.
youtube.com/@DeutschFürEuchComprehensive free grammar reference website in both German and English. Every rule, every exception, with examples. Use as a reference when your textbook explanation isn't clicking. Covers A1 through C1 grammar.
deutschegrammatik20.deClear grammar explanations with free exercises. Particularly good for cases (Nominativ, Akkusativ, Dativ, Genitiv) and verb conjugation tables. Use throughout A1–B1 when you need concise rule summaries with practice.
deutsch.lingolia.com/enFree downloadable grammar worksheets for A1 through B2. Hundreds of exercises covering every grammar topic. Great supplementary practice — use when your textbook doesn't give you enough exercises on a difficult concept.
schubert-verlag.de/aufgabenStreet interviews with real Germans. Dual subtitles (German + English). Begins at A2 level and scales up. From Month 5, watch with German subtitles only. From Month 9, audio only for segments. The most natural exposure to real spoken German available for free.
youtube.com/@EasyGerman"Slowly spoken news" — daily news read at reduced speed with full transcript. Free podcast and website. Use from Month 6 onwards. The transcript lets you verify comprehension. By Month 12, switch to normal-speed DW news.
dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/nachrichten/s-8030The Goethe Institut publishes free official B2 sample exam sets on their website — real exam format, real difficulty, with answer keys and audio. Use from Month 13 onwards. These are your most important B2 preparation material.
goethe.de/en/spr/kup/prf/prf/gb2/ueb.htmlDownload the "German Top 4000 Frequency Dictionary" deck from AnkiWeb. Words ordered by how often they appear in real German. 15 cards/day from Month 1. By Month 10 you'll know the 1,500 most common German words — that's ~85% of everyday conversation.
ankiweb.net/shared/decks/germanCommunity tutors (not professional teachers) charge $5–15/hour for German. Start 2x/week from Month 5. By Phase 3, increase to 3x/week. This is the single most important investment in your German speaking ability. Budget ~$50–80/month.
italki.comFree language exchange app. Find a native German speaker who wants to learn your native language — you teach each other. No cost. Less structured than italki but valuable for informal conversation practice and cultural exposure. Start from Month 4.
tandem.netYou have the English foundation. What you need is exam-specific strategy, authentic practice, and Speaking volume. Resources organised by module.
TASK 1 · TASK 2 · BAND 7 STRATEGY · ANTI-TEMPLATE APPROACH
Comprehensive free resource. Use it to understand what Band 7 writing looks like structurally — but do NOT copy her templates. The goal is to understand the underlying logic of good argument structure, then apply it spontaneously on unseen prompts. Her task response breakdowns are excellent.
ieltsliz.comFormer examiner. His essays are clear examples of Band 7–8 writing that doesn't rely on florid vocabulary — exactly what the anti-template algorithm rewards. Study his essays to understand that simple, specific, well-argued writing outscores impressive-sounding but hollow prose.
ielts-simon.comDownload the official Writing Band Descriptors from IELTS.org. This is the actual rubric examiners use. Read Band 7 criteria line by line. Self-assess every essay you write against this rubric — it's more useful than any third-party scoring guide.
ielts.org/for-test-takers/scores-explainedHigh-quality free videos on Writing Task 1 and Task 2. Their mock marking videos are particularly useful — watching a real essay being scored and critiqued trains your ability to self-evaluate. Covers both Academic and General Training.
youtube.com/@E2IELTSThe gold standard. Real past exam papers with authentic Writing, Reading, and Listening tasks. Work through them systematically from book 14 to 17. Use the Writing tasks as timed practice prompts. The model answers in the book show real examiner-approved Band 7–8 writing.
Thorough, examiner-written guide covering all four modules. Particularly strong on Writing explanation and strategy. Pairs well with the Cambridge practice books. Use this in Phase 2 to build your understanding of what distinguishes Band 6.5 from Band 7 writing.
FLUENCY · COHERENCE · SPONTANEITY · ANTI-SCRIPTED APPROACH
r/IELTS on Reddit and various Facebook IELTS groups have active speaking partner networks. Find someone also preparing for IELTS and do mock Part 1/2/3 exchanges daily. Mutual feedback is highly valuable. Free and readily available.
reddit.com/r/IELTSMultiple websites (IELTS Liz, IELTS Buddy) publish recent Speaking Part 2 cue card topics. Practice 1 new topic daily — but never script your answer. Pick a card, speak for 2 minutes immediately, record yourself, listen back. That loop done 200 times will get you to Band 7.
AI-powered pronunciation feedback app. Identifies specific phonemes you mispronounce and drills them. Useful if you have a strong accent that affects clarity scores. Free tier gives limited lessons; the paid version is more comprehensive (~$12/month).
elsaspeak.comShort 3-minute episodes on idiomatic natural English. Great for picking up the colloquial fluency that separates Band 6.5 from Band 7 speaking. Daily listening from Month 1 — it's only 3 minutes. The cumulative effect over 18 months is substantial.
bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speakYOUR STRONGER AREAS — MAINTAIN & REFINE
BBC Radio 4 is the closest thing to the IELTS academic listening accent (British RP) at real speed. In Our Time, The Documentary, and The Life Scientific are all exam-relevant in register. 30 min/week of passive listening from Month 3 onwards.
bbc.co.uk/radio4/podcastsThe British Council offers free online IELTS Listening practice tests with official-level content. Use for section-by-section drilling, particularly Sections 3 and 4 (academic discussion and monologue) which are your most important targets for a 7.0+ Listening score.
ielts.org/for-test-takers/sample-test-questionsThese two updates fundamentally change how you should approach IELTS. Read this carefully.
OSR lets you retake a single module (Writing, Speaking, Listening, or Reading) within 60 days of your original computer-delivered IELTS exam. Your best module score is used. This changes your exam strategy entirely — you don't need to get all 4 modules to 7.0 on the first attempt.
OSR is only available on computer-delivered IELTS — not paper-based. Book this format specifically. Results arrive in 3–5 days vs. 13 days for paper.
Sit the complete 4-module exam. Identify your weakest result against your 7.0 target. You now have up to 60 days to act.
If Writing or Speaking falls below 7.0, book OSR immediately. 4 more weeks of focused practice on just that module, then retake it alone.
Your original scores for the other 3 modules are retained. Only the retaken module's score updates. Your TRF shows the highest score per module.
OSR Practical Tip: Given your profile (Reading + Listening strong, Writing decent, Speaking needs practice), your most likely OSR candidate is Writing or Speaking. In Phase 3, track your mock scores per module. If either is hovering at 6.5 by Month 14, increase that module's daily practice to 45 min and treat it as your OSR rehearsal.
The IELTS algorithmic assessment has aggressively shifted against "test-hacking." Here's exactly what that means in practice.
The Rule of Thumb: If your Writing Task 2 opening paragraph or Speaking answer could be recycled unchanged for a different prompt — it's a template and it will cost you. Every response must engage the specific prompt in front of you. Your vocabulary is already an asset. Trust it. Use it naturally.
Curated from what separates people who hit their targets from people who study hard but plateau.
GRE vocab words (academic register) directly strengthen IELTS Writing and Speaking, and many German abstract nouns share Latin/Greek roots with GRE words. One Anki session in Session 4 feeds all three exams simultaneously. Don't separate your vocab study.
Month 2: Change phone language to German. Month 4: Follow German Instagram accounts. Month 6: One meal a week where you narrate everything you're doing out loud in German. Month 9: Start thinking in German during walks. Immersion isn't a supplement — it's the multiplier.
Every Sunday: 30 minutes reviewing every question you got wrong across all three subjects that week. Categorise by type (e.g. "German dative case", "GRE Data Interpretation", "IELTS T/F/NG trap"). Your error log is a personalised exam guide that no book can replicate.
Every day, pick a random object or topic and speak about it for 2 minutes. Record it. The next day, listen to yesterday's recording for 1 minute before recording today's. This single habit, done 500+ times over 18 months, will give you the fluency and self-awareness that no textbook can.
Untimed practice builds knowledge. Timed mocks expose your actual exam behaviour — where you panic, where you second-guess, where you run out of time. Run a full timed mock for each exam every 6–8 weeks. Track your score trend on a simple chart. Plateaus are information, not failure.
One full rest day per week is not laziness — it's when your brain consolidates everything you studied. Burnout at Month 8 derails more 18-month plans than poor study material choices. If you feel yourself dreading sessions, dial back intensity for one week rather than pushing through into resentment.
German podcast while cooking. German YouTube before sleep. BBC Radio 4 during a commute. This passive exposure — 20–30 min/day — adds up to 180–270 hours over 18 months. That's not nothing. It's the difference between B1 and B2 German feeling natural vs. effortful.
Having a fixed exam date changes how you study. Book all three exams in Month 16 (for Month 17–18) even if you don't feel ready yet. The deadline pressure is productive. For IELTS, book computer-delivered specifically to keep OSR as a safety net.