Self-study IELTS 7.5 in 90 days while working full-time

I had 2 free hours a day and a phone with 2GB of data. That was enough. My plan was boring on purpose: 40 minutes listening (one BBC or TED clip, twice), 40 minutes reading with a timer, 40 minutes writing — every single day for 90 days.

The two habits that raised my score from 6.0 to 7.5: recording my speaking answers daily and re-listening to catch filler words, and copying band-8 writing answers BY HAND to internalize their structure. I spent zero afghani on courses.

Exam-day notes: arrive early, bring the exact same passport photo format you registered with, and in writing Task 2 spend the first 4 minutes planning only — that plan is the difference between band 6.5 and 7.5. My 7.5 unlocked three scholarship shortlists within 5 months.