If I start preparing for GMAT or IELTS from August or September when applications open, will it be too late?
Starting GMAT or IELTS prep in August or September is not automatically too late. Round 1 deadlines fall in September or October, so your timeline is tight there. Round 2 deadlines, usually January or February, give you two to three comfortable months of prep time.
You are not too late if you start your GMAT or IELTS prep in August or September, but your exact deadline decides how much breathing room you have. Round 1 deadlines sit in September, October, or early November, so a first-time test taker has very little space for a retake. Round 2, typically January or February, or a university with rolling admissions, gives you a genuinely comfortable window.
How Much Prep Time You Actually Need
| Your Starting Point | Realistic Prep Time |
|---|---|
| Strong test taker needing a refresher | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Need a significant score jump | 2 to 3 months of consistent study |
| Targeting Round 1 (Sept, Oct, early Nov) | Very tight, little room for a retake |
| Targeting Round 2 (Jan or Feb) or rolling admissions | Comfortable, plenty of buffer for retakes |
What Else You Are Juggling
- Essays, letters of recommendation, and your resume all need attention alongside test prep, and doing everything at once can hurt your essay quality.
- Give recommenders as much notice as possible so you are not chasing them close to a deadline.
- Order transcripts and send scores early since processing can take longer than expected.
My Advice
Pull up your target schools' exact deadlines this week. If any of them fall in Round 1, book your first test attempt immediately and treat every study session as non-negotiable; if you have Round 2 or rolling options, use the extra weeks to also strengthen your essays instead of only cramming for the test.
How long will IELTS prep actually take?
Free masterclass plus unlimited mock tests. See your score gap in one session.
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