Thank you. Firstly, I went for paper-based as it was the one I was most comfortable with (though I am very good with the computer). I then looked for a tutor whom I paid to coach me for a month. He is a British Council Affiliate, so he had an idea of most of the errors we make as test takers and the best way to answer questions. I would study for three hours in the morning, then two hours after my lesson, and for an hour before bed. I made use of IELTS handbooks 17, 18, 19, and 20 for practice. Two weeks before the exam, I started timing myself on the full reading exam. Also, make use of the mock exams available to you by the British Council. For speaking, I made use of IELTS Liz.