The biggest mistake we see is booking a test date before knowing the score you need. Start with your target: the highest overall and section score asked for by any course on your shortlist and by your visa. Then work backwards.
The second biggest mistake is practising only what you are already good at. A diagnostic mock test in week one tells you where the marks are.
An eight-week plan
- 1
Week 1: find your target and baseline
Confirm the required scores for every course and your visa. Take one full, timed official practice test and note your weakest section.
- 2
Weeks 2–3: learn the format
Study each question type and the marking criteria. Most lost marks come from misunderstanding what the examiner wants, not from weak English.
- 3
Weeks 4–6: targeted practice
Spend two thirds of your time on your weakest two sections. Write timed essays and get them marked against the official criteria. Record your speaking answers and listen back.
- 4
Weeks 7–8: full mocks and rest
Take two or three full mock tests under exam conditions. Stop learning new material three days before the test and sleep well.
Listening
- Read the questions before the audio starts and predict the type of answer, such as a number, a name or a place.
- Listen to podcasts and lectures in the accent of your destination for 20 minutes a day.
- Check spelling and word limits; a correct answer spelt wrongly usually scores nothing.
Reading
- Skim for structure first, then scan for keywords. Do not read every word.
- Learn the difference between ‘false’ and ‘not given’ style answers; it is where most marks go.
- Practise with a strict timer. Reading is as much about pace as understanding.
Writing
- Plan for three to five minutes before you write. A clear structure lifts your score more than long words.
- Answer every part of the question. Examiners mark task response strictly.
- Build a personal list of the grammar mistakes you repeat and check for them in every practice essay.
Speaking
- Speak in full, natural answers and extend them with a reason or an example.
- Fluency matters more than perfect grammar. Keep going rather than stopping to correct yourself.
- Practise with a timer and a recording. Listen for fillers and long pauses.
Choosing between tests
If you prefer a human examiner for speaking, IELTS is the obvious choice. If you are comfortable with computer-marked tasks and want fast results, PTE and Duolingo are popular. TOEFL remains widely accepted in the United States. Before you choose, confirm that every university on your shortlist and your visa accept it.
- IELTS: A widely recognised four-skill test with a face-to-face speaking interview
- PTE Academic: A fully computer-based test scored by AI, with fast results
- TOEFL iBT: A shorter, adaptive test since January 2026, with a new 1–6 score scale
- Duolingo English Test: An online, adaptive test you can take from home in about an hour