Current timelines are around 8 months for AR TO IP, as of now applicants with April AR are being processed and few from May going to IP. Moreover, a valid IELTS score will be required when your nominated file is worked upon by IRCC. Hence it’s advisable to have a valid IELTS through out the process. Also, you should have scores equal or more than your current score so that scores do not change with new IELTS results.
You have enough time to prepare for IELTS now and you can appear in February to have results before expiry of existing scores. You will also be required to inform SINP with new IELTS once you have the results. One caveat- you might want to keep an eye on the covid situation and if the centres might restrict tests again as per your country, which is highly unlikely but still not impossible.
Hope it helps!