IELTS preparation: International English Language Testing System
Premium IELTS coaching for university admissions, immigration, and professional registration
IELTS is the world's most widely accepted English-language test for university admissions, immigration, and professional registration. It's recognised by 11,000+ universities and 140 countries — including all UK, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian universities, and an increasing number of US institutions. Smartious offers structured 20-session IELTS preparation covering all four modules — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking — with a focus on the techniques and time-management strategies that move students from a Band 5-6 baseline to a confident Band 7+.
- Programme: 20 sessions · 1.5 hours · 8-10 weeks (2 sessions/week)
- Fee: USD 450 / 30 hours at USD 15/hour
Who it is for
- University applicants targeting UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or US institutions where IELTS is required or accepted
- Migration applicants for Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the UK who need IELTS for visa purposes
- Professional registration candidates (medical, nursing, engineering, teaching) who need IELTS for accreditation in target countries
- Students whose university has set a minimum IELTS Band requirement for admission (typically Band 6.0-7.5 depending on programme)
Listening (30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer)
4 recordings of native English speakers — conversations, monologues, lectures — across 40 questions. Tests ability to identify main ideas, detailed factual information, opinions, attitudes and purposes.
Reading (60 minutes)
Academic: 3 long passages from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. General Training: 3 sections with everyday texts (advertisements, notices, employment materials). 40 questions across both versions.
Writing (60 minutes)
Two tasks. Academic Task 1: describe a graph/chart/diagram in 150 words. Academic Task 2: write a 250-word essay on a given argument or issue. General Training varies — letter writing and essay.
Speaking (11-14 minutes)
Face-to-face interview with an examiner. Part 1: introduction and general questions. Part 2: 2-minute talk on a given topic. Part 3: discussion on abstract issues related to Part 2.
What's included
- 20 live 1-on-1 sessions with qualified IELTS specialist
- Diagnostic Band assessment at session 1
- 4 full mock tests (one per module) with detailed feedback
- Speaking practice sessions with recorded feedback
- Written feedback on all Task 1 and Task 2 essays
- Access to Cambridge IELTS practice materials
- Test registration guidance (British Council Nairobi, IDP Education)
- Test-day preparation briefing in week before exam
Score targets
- 5.0-5.5: Most foundation programme requirements
- 6.0-6.5: Most UK and Australian undergraduate programmes
- 7.0-7.5: Russell Group, Group of Eight Australian, professional registration (medicine, law, teaching)
- 8.0+: Highly competitive postgraduate programmes, scholarship eligibility
Key facts
- Test fee: KSh 30,500 (British Council Nairobi, 2026 rates)
- Validity: 2 years from test date
- Result delivery: 13 days (Paper-based), 3-5 days (Computer-based)
- Test centres in Kenya: British Council Nairobi · IDP Education Westlands · Various IDP centres in Mombasa, Kisumu
- Best for: UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada immigration and university admissions
Frequently asked questions
How many IELTS Band points can I gain with Smartious in 20 sessions?
Typical improvement from our students with full attendance and homework completion is 1.0 to 1.5 Band points — for example, moving from a baseline 5.5 to a target 7.0. Students starting from a higher baseline (6.5+) typically gain 0.5-1.0 Band points. Improvement depends on starting level, time invested between sessions, and target band.
What's the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
IELTS Academic is for university applications. IELTS General Training is for migration and work purposes. Reading and Writing modules differ between the two. Listening and Speaking modules are the same. We prepare students for whichever version they need.
How long are the Smartious IELTS sessions?
Each session is 1.5 hours, delivered live online via Smartious LMS. The full 20-session programme typically takes 8-10 weeks at 2 sessions per week — though we can compress or extend depending on your timeline.
Can I take IELTS in Kenya?
Yes — IELTS is administered by British Council Kenya (Nairobi office) and IDP Education (Westlands Nairobi, plus various centres in Mombasa and Kisumu). Both centres are recognised equally; we help with registration.
What if I need IELTS in less than 8 weeks?
We can compress the 20 sessions into 5-6 weeks (4 sessions per week) for students with urgent timelines. This intensive format works best for students starting from a Band 6.0+ baseline.
Do you offer mock tests?
Yes — 4 full mock tests are included in the 20-session programme (one per module: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Each mock is followed by a detailed feedback session.
What if my target Band score is very high (8.0+)?
For students targeting Band 8.0 or above, we recommend extending the programme to 30 sessions (additional sessions at USD 15/hour). Band 8.0+ requires sophisticated vocabulary, complex grammatical structures and near-native speaking fluency — substantial extra practice helps.
Can I retake IELTS if I don't hit my target?
Yes — IELTS can be retaken at any time with no minimum gap. We offer a retake top-up package (5 additional sessions at USD 15/hour) for students wanting focused preparation before retaking.
How do I pay for the Smartious IELTS programme?
M-Pesa Paybill 247247, Account 745021 (Smartious Edtech). Full payment is required to commence the programme. Instalment options available — typically 50% upfront, 50% by session 10.
What is the IELTS test fee separately?
The IELTS test fee in Kenya is approximately KSh 30,500 (2026 British Council Nairobi rates). This is paid directly to the test centre, separate from your Smartious tuition fee.
Do you guarantee a specific Band score?
No — we don't guarantee specific scores because outcomes depend on factors outside our control (your effort between sessions, test-day performance, your starting English level). However, students who complete the full 20-session programme with consistent attendance and homework typically achieve 1.0-1.5 Band points of improvement.
Is IELTS recognised by US universities?
Yes — most US universities now accept IELTS alongside TOEFL. However, some US institutions still prefer TOEFL. If you're specifically targeting US universities, check the institution's requirements first — we can also redirect to TOEFL preparation if needed.
Other tests
What parents say
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 130+ reviews. Read our Google reviews
“What stands out most about Smartious Homeschool and Tuition is their dedication to each learner. They don't rush through topics but ensure the child fully understands before moving forward. The progress my child has made in a short time is impressive. I would definitely recommend them to any parent.” — Google reviewer, Google review