Taking an English Exam

Why Take an English Exam at All?

Many of us study English at school, pass a few tests, and then never think about exams again. Later, when life gets busy, it can be hard to return to studying.

But an accredited English certificate is great for your CV and a clear signal to a future employer or university that you are capable of working or studying in English. It also gives you:

• a concrete goal to work towards,
• a deadline that helps you stay motivated,
• and a real measure of your progress over time.

Below are some of the most common questions my students ask me about taking an English exam, choosing the right one, and preparing effectively.

What Exam Should I Take?

The most important rule is simple: choose an exam that is realistic and achievable.

If you’re at intermediate level, don’t start by aiming for an advanced exam. Focus on an exam that matches your current level, pass it, and then move up to the next level later. This gives you:

• clear steps in improving your English,
• regular “wins” that keep you motivated,
• a logical path all the way from lower levels to advanced.

For many students, the Cambridge exams work very well because they are divided by level – from A2 (KET / exams for younger learners) up to C2 (CPE – Certificate of Proficiency in English). They are general English exams that focus on everyday English, not only academic topics.

Is IELTS Really the “Best” Exam?

People often say that IELTS is the best exam. My honest opinion: IELTS is great if you actually need it.

You should usually only consider IELTS if:

• you need it to study abroad at a university, or
• you are moving abroad and immigration requires an IELTS score.

If you don’t have a clear reason, IELTS may not be the best choice. A vague “I want to see my level” is not a strong reason to spend that money and stress on IELTS. In that case, a Cambridge exam or another level-based exam is usually a better option.

Remember: IELTS is the same exam for everyone – it’s not separated into different levels like B2, C1, etc. The topics and texts can be quite academic and formal, which is great for study, but not always necessary for general life or work.

If you’re not sure which path is right for you, we can talk about it in an online lesson and match the exam to your goals.

What Is the Best Way to Prepare?

The number one rule for every exam is: be completely comfortable with the exam format.

Before exam day, you should already know:

• how many parts the exam has,
• how long each paper lasts,
• what type of tasks you will see in each section,
• and how your score is calculated.

You can prepare in several ways:

• Self-study – Use official exam books, past papers, YouTube channels and Useful English Tips. This works if you are organised and motivated.
• Group courses – Join an exam class at a language school. Everyone in your group is “in the same boat”, working towards the same goal, so you can support each other and make friends.
• One-to-one tuition – Work with a teacher who specialises in your exam. This gives you more personalised feedback and time to focus on your weak areas.

If you want exam-focused online classes, you can find more information about my lessons on the Prices and How I teach pages.

Is Exam Preparation Always Boring?

“Exam preparation” doesn’t sound like fun, I know. But it really depends on the teacher and on the course style.

I’ve taught exam preparation in two main ways, and both can work:

1. Longer, mixed courses
   A normal course over an academic year (sometimes two), using a course book. The lessons feel like general English lessons, but with a clear exam focus. There is more freedom for speaking, questions and clarification, and plenty of time to build skills slowly.
2. Short, intensive courses
   A shorter course (for example 4–8 weeks) with every lesson planned around the exam format. Here the goal is to drill the tasks and practise just like in the real exam, so you feel ready and automatic at the end.

Option 2 can sound more boring, but with the right teacher and a good group it can be just as enjoyable as a longer course. Option 1 builds a wide range of skills; option 2 is more like “here is the exam, let’s practise exactly what you need to do”.

What If I “Fail” the Exam?

First of all, make sure you choose an exam that is realistic for your level. That reduces the risk of disappointment.

With IELTS, you don’t really “fail” – you receive an overall band score. With many other exams, even if you don’t reach the official pass mark, you still receive a certificate that shows the level you demonstrated in the test.

If you don’t get the result you wanted:

• take time to reflect on what could be improved,
• look at which paper was weakest (speaking, writing, etc.),
• remember that everyone can have an “off day”.

On another day, with more sleep or less stress, your result could be different. If you feel that is what happened, you can always retake the exam after some focused practice.

How Can I Practise My Speaking?

Speaking is often the hardest part to practise alone, especially if you live and work in a monolingual environment. But the internet gives you lots of options.

You can:

• take online speaking practice on Zoom or Skype with a native speaker,
• find local English meetings or conversation clubs in your city or town,
• join an online group like the Online English Speaking Club,
• or start your own English speaking club – you’ll be surprised how many people want to join.

And if you can’t find anyone? Talk to yourself! It’s not crazy – speaking out loud builds confidence, even if you’re alone.

If you’d like to practise the IELTS Speaking test in full or prepare for another exam speaking part with me online, you can send a message via the Contact page or straight to WhatsApp.