Exam preparation
Walk into your exam well prepared.
Online preparation for internationally recognised English certificates: Pearson English International Certificate, IELTS and Cambridge. With training in the exam format, practice tests and targeted feedback.
Course per exam
Your exam, your preparation course
Every exam has its own page with format, timing and how we prepare you.
Certificates
Which exams we prepare for
| Exam | Level | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson English International Certificate | A1 to C2 | Proof for work and study, flexible dates |
| IELTS Academic | B1 to C2 | Studying abroad, university admission |
| IELTS General Training | B1 to C2 | Work and migration |
| Cambridge B2 First | B2 | Work and study |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | C1 | Study, demanding jobs |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | C2 | Highest level, teaching and translation |
Preparation
How we prepare you
Placement
We check your current level and the gap to your target.
Learning plan
A plan up to the exam date, matched to your time.
Training in the format
All exam parts, with real task types and time pressure.
Practice test and feedback
A realistic mock exam and concrete advice for the final stretch.
Further reading
Helpful articles
Tell us the date and your target. We will draw up a realistic learning plan.
IELTS
IELTS preparation course online: Academic and General Training
IELTS comes in two versions. IELTS Academic is intended for higher education and university admission, IELTS General Training for work and migration. Listening and Speaking are the same in both versions, while Reading and Writing differ. According to Cambridge, Listening takes around 30 minutes, Reading and Writing 60 minutes each, and Speaking 11 to 14 minutes (Cambridge English, IELTS test format).
What we practise in each part of the test
- Listening: listening under time pressure, transferring answers accurately, spotting typical distractors.
- Reading: skimming quickly, scanning for specific information, reliably telling apart question types such as True/False/Not Given.
- Writing: in Academic Task 1 you describe graphs or diagrams, in General Training Task 1 you write a letter. Task 2 is an essay in both versions. We practise structure, argument and time management.
- Speaking: the three-part interview, including the short talk after one minute’s preparation, with feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
You will find more on the structure and scoring in our article IELTS preparation.
Cambridge
Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced exam preparation
The Cambridge exams consist of Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Use of English in particular requires targeted practice, because it tests word formation, collocations and sentence transformations that rarely come up so systematically in general lessons.
Focus areas in preparation
- key word transformations and word formation as a short daily workout
- Writing task types: essay, article, report, letter or email, review
- Speaking in pairs: responding to a partner and actively steering the conversation
- time management in Reading and Listening
You will find detailed tips for B2 level in our article Preparing for Cambridge B2 First.
Pearson
Pearson English International Certificate preparation
The Pearson English International Certificate is available at every level from A1 to C2. It is suitable for work and study and fits well with our regular lessons, as we already use Pearson’s Global Scale of English for English. This means that during your preparation you can see how close you already are to your target level.
In preparation, we practise the task types for all four skills, write practice texts with feedback and simulate the speaking test. In the initial consultation, we compare with you which exam best suits your goal.
German
Preparation for German exams such as the Goethe-Zertifikat and telc
For German too, we prepare learners for recognised exams, such as the Goethe-Zertifikat or telc exams at various levels. Many of our learners need proof of their German for work, recognition of qualifications, study or naturalisation. Which exam is required in each case is decided by the relevant institution, so we clarify this together at the start.
Preparation combines language training with exam strategy: knowing the task formats, managing your time, writing letters and opinion pieces according to the marking criteria, and simulating the speaking test in pairs or individually. You can find more about our German lessons under German courses online.
Method
How we prepare you for language exams
Good exam preparation is more than working through practice tests. If you only do tests, you get to know the format but your English or German hardly improves. If you only learn the language, you lose marks in the exam through poor strategy. We combine both.
1. Diagnosis
A placement test and an initial practice test show where you stand and which part of the exam is costing you the most marks.
2. Priorities
We focus on the areas with the greatest potential. If your Reading is already at the target level but your Writing is well below it, the time goes into writing.
3. Training based on the marking criteria
Writing and Speaking are assessed against set criteria, such as task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar. Our feedback is based on exactly these criteria, so you know what will earn you a better score.
4. Mock exam
Before the exam date, you take at least one complete practice test under real timed conditions. We simulate the speaking test exactly as it takes place.
Timeline
How long does it take to prepare for a language exam?
The honest answer: it depends on how far your current level is from your target level. If you are already secure at B2 and want to take B2 First, you mainly need format training. If you are at B1 and need a high IELTS score for university, you have a much longer journey ahead.
| Starting point | Focus | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Level matches the target | format, strategy, time management | compact preparation with practice tests |
| Level just below | closing gaps, targeted writing and speaking | regular lessons plus practice tests |
| Level well below | build language skills first, then format training | longer learning plan, choose a realistic exam date |
After your placement, we tell you honestly whether your preferred date is realistic. It is better to register a few weeks later than to pay the exam fee for an attempt that comes too early. Our article CEFR levels A1 to C2 explains what the levels mean in practice.
Formats
Exam preparation in one-to-one lessons or a small group
One-to-one lessons are the most effective format for exam preparation. Your teacher works specifically on your weakest exam papers, corrects your writing in detail and adjusts the pace to your exam date. Scheduling is flexible, which matters especially alongside study or work.
Small groups of up to six people are suitable when several learners are aiming for the same exam at a similar level, such as employees of a company who all need a certificate. For practising the paired Speaking test in the Cambridge exams, a group is actually an advantage.
Individuals book from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson, companies from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson. Exam fees are not included; they are paid directly to the exam provider.
Goals
English or German certificate: typical goals of our learners
Studying abroad
Lea from Munich is planning a master’s degree in the Netherlands. The university requires IELTS Academic with a minimum score. Her English is good, but academic writing is new to her. Her preparation focuses on Writing Task 1, with descriptions of graphs, and on building an argument in the essay.
Proof for an employer
A company in the Nuremberg area wants its customer service staff to demonstrate their level of English with a recognised certificate. A small group prepares together for the Pearson English International Certificate, supplemented by one-to-one sessions for writing.
Professional recognition in Germany
A doctor trained abroad needs proof of German for the recognition of his qualifications. Alongside general exam training, he practises conversations with patients, which he will need for his future work in any case.
A personal milestone
Some people simply want to see in black and white what they can do. For them, C1 Advanced is a good goal, because the preparation lifts their whole English to a new level. Our teachers, with only 1 in 25 applicants passing our selection process, know the requirements of the main exams in detail.
Exam day
Common mistakes in language exams and how to avoid them
- Not completing the task: a required point is missing in the Writing paper. This costs marks, however good the language is. We practise a short checklist to run through before writing.
- Ignoring the word count: texts that are too short receive lower marks. Practise how long 250 words are in your handwriting or on screen.
- Spending too long on one question: in Reading, a difficult question holds you up while easier ones go unanswered. Time management is part of the preparation.
- Memorised answers in Speaking: examiners spot them quickly. Flexible phrases that fit many questions work better.
- Nerves: knowing the format inside out makes you calmer. That is why a realistic mock exam is a fixed part of our preparation.
Guides
Exams and certificates: 10 articles from our blog
Practical knowledge from our Head of Studies and the choices® team, matching this service.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you run the exams yourselves?
No. We prepare you; you sit the exam at an official exam centre.
How long does preparation take?
That depends on the gap between your level and your target. After placement we give you a realistic number of lessons.
Which certificate do I need?
Usually your goal decides: university, employer or authority. Our comparison on the blog helps you choose.
Are there practice tests?
Yes, we work with tasks in the exam format and a realistic mock exam.
Do you also prepare for German exams?
Yes. Tell us which certificate you are aiming for.
Can I take IELTS or other exams online?
Some exam providers offer online or computer-based versions. Please check directly with the exam provider and with the institution that requires the certificate which options exist for your exam and whether they are accepted. We prepare you for both formats.
How is my writing assessed?
Your teacher assesses your texts against the official criteria of the exam in question, such as task achievement, organisation, vocabulary and grammar. You receive specific advice on what will gain you the most marks.
Do you handle exam registration?
No, you register directly with the official exam provider. We do, however, help you choose a suitable date and align your learning plan with it.
What happens if I don’t reach my target score?
We analyse the section scores together and plan the resit in a targeted way, usually focusing on one or two papers. Many exams can be retaken; the conditions are set by the exam provider.
Do you also prepare learners for exams in other languages?
Our focus is on English and German. For many other languages, such as Spanish, French or Italian, we can also arrange preparation for recognised certificates on request. Please tell us the exam and your target level when you get in touch.
How soon can I start preparing?
One-to-one lessons can usually start quickly. Let us know your exam date when you enquire, and we will plan the scope and intensity accordingly.