English has been my “work” language for quite a while already. However, I never had a formal attestation of my proficiency level. But now I have one. Got through my IELTS exam a few weeks back. Below is my reflection on the preparation and examination process and how to organize it.

Understand what type of exam you need. There are three variants: General, Academic, and UKVI. All of them are similar but unique in some respect. It’s crucial to know which one is needed before starting any prep work.

Choose a testing center. There are at least two options here: britishcouncil.org and idp.com. Pick one that is nearby and has the best options (for example, it’s nice to have ‘One Skill Retake’, just in case).

Take a mock exam. Yep, right away, without any delays. Once the variant is known, it’s a good idea to know your starting point. Would recommend obtaining a mock exam from the same organization where real exam will be taken.

Know your desired score. Depending on your goals, you should understand the required score. Immigration visa requirements can be different from educational ones.

Analyze mock results. Once requirements are clear, it’s time to assess how far or near the goal is. IELTS evaluates four skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Each skill is graded independently.

Plan your preps. Identify weak and strong sides of your language skills. For me, writing was lagging behind. And listening was the strongest one.

Estimate time needed. Knowing how many skills need attention, estimate how much time has to be invested in each to make it closer to the target scoring band. Even if all skills are in good shape already, give yourself a month or so to familiarize yourself with the exam format and methodology.

Book the exam. Depending on your location, exam schedules can be tricky to book. Personally, I would recommend taking a full day off on exam day.

Preps. The key is consistency and repetition. It’s better to spend 15 minutes a day each day than 2 hours once a week. The easiest option is taking exam center courses, I took a free one. My formal writing is terrible :D. So I concentrated on polishing my writing.

Day before exam. Do not study new material or practice. Try to do as many relaxation and meditation routines as possible. Give your brain a break. Eat, drink, and sleep well.

Exam day. I know it will be hard not to panic. But you’re in a good spot. The exam procedure is known, and the scoring system is clear. You have ‘One Skill Retake’, just in case.

My score was 7.5, by the way. Break a leg on your exam ;).

Sat Nov 22, 2025 / 452 words / Learn