Exam Prep
Common IELTS Speaking Mistakes
Memorised answers, one-word replies and over-correcting: what holds candidates back and what to do instead.
Exam preparation
Prepare for your English exam with a clear plan.
Understand exactly how your test works, practise the skills each section demands, and walk into the exam room knowing what to expect.
IELTS preparation
Build the skills for your target IELTS score.
IELTS assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking. There are two versions: Academic, usually for university study, and General Training, often for work or migration. Listening and Speaking are the same in both.
We help you understand what each band score means in practice, then focus your time on the skills that will move your score.
| Section | Time | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 min | Four recorded parts with 40 questions, from everyday conversations to an academic talk. |
| Reading | 60 min | Three sections with 40 questions. Academic uses longer, more academic texts; General Training uses everyday and workplace texts. |
| Writing | 60 min | Task 1: describe visual information (Academic) or write a letter (General Training). Task 2: an essay in both versions. |
| Speaking | 11–14 min | A three-part conversation with an examiner: familiar topics, a long turn, then a discussion. |
What we practise for IELTS
- Reading the band descriptors so you know what examiners reward
- Planning and writing Task 1 and Task 2 within the time limit
- All three Speaking parts, with feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation
- Skimming, scanning and managing time across Reading passages
- Listening for detail, following signposts and spelling answers correctly
This summary is for orientation. Test formats can change, so always confirm details on the official IELTS website before you book.
TOEFL preparation
Practise academic English for every TOEFL section.
TOEFL iBT is a computer-based test of academic English, taken at a test centre or at home. Your speaking is recorded rather than spoken to a live examiner, so a different kind of preparation helps.
We build your academic vocabulary, note-taking and timed responses, so you can stay calm and organised on screen.
| Section | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Reading | Understanding academic and everyday texts, including vocabulary in context and the writer's main ideas. |
| Listening | Following lectures, conversations and announcements, often while taking notes. |
| Writing | Written responses on screen, including taking part in an academic discussion. |
| Speaking | Short recorded spoken responses to prompts, with limited preparation time. |
What we practise for TOEFL
- Academic vocabulary and the language of lectures and seminars
- Note-taking that helps you answer, not just record
- Clear spoken answers within short time limits, without memorised scripts
- Organised written responses and comfortable typing speed
ETS updates the TOEFL iBT from time to time, including timings, task types and how scores are reported. Check the official TOEFL website for the current format before you book.
Other exams
Preparing for a different English test?
Many universities, employers and immigration routes accept other tests too. The skills underneath are the same, so we can help you build them, while you check which test your destination accepts.
Cambridge English
B2 First, C1 Advanced and more
Level-based exams covering reading, writing, listening, speaking and use of English, with a paired speaking test.
Pearson
PTE Academic
A computer-based test where speaking and writing are assessed together through integrated tasks.
Duolingo
Duolingo English Test
An online, adaptive test taken at home, with short tasks that change in difficulty as you answer.
Test names belong to their owners. Humans of English is independent and is not affiliated with any test provider.
Our method
How we prepare you
Exam preparation works best when it builds real English, not just test tricks. Here is the path we follow with every exam learner.
Plan your preparationStart with your target
Which test, which score, and by when. Everything else is planned backwards from that.
Find your gaps
A practice task in each skill shows where you are strong and where marks are being lost.
Learn the format
Question types, timing and what examiners look for, so nothing on the day is a surprise.
Practise with feedback
Regular timed practice, with specific feedback on your speaking and writing.
Rehearse test day
Full practice under exam conditions, plus a plan for timing and nerves.
Free exam resources
More exam resourcesWriting
How to Structure an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay
A clear four-paragraph plan, with an annotated example, that helps you answer the question fully and on time.
Listening
Listening Practice for English Learners
How to choose audio at the right level and use a three-step routine that trains your ear, not just your patience.
Ready to take the next step?
Tell us what you want to achieve in English, and start planning your learning journey.