Test Preparation
Understand your exam. Build the right skills. Prepare with a clear plan for your next academic step.
IELTS
English languageIELTS Academic
Build the academic English skills used in university study, with preparation for an examiner-led speaking interview.
- Test time
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- Score scale
- 0–9 bands
- Score validity
- 2 years recommended
- Delivery
- Test centre; live Speaking
What the exam covers
- Listening
- Academic Reading
- Academic Writing
- Speaking
Listening, Academic Reading and Writing, plus a three-part Speaking interview with an examiner. Writing includes a visual-information task and an essay.
IELTS is moving to computer delivery during 2026; rollout dates and writing options vary by market. IELTS for UKVI Academic must be booked at an approved centre when your route requires it. Receiving organisations decide whether to accept results older than two years.
Preparation focus
- Reading strategies and listening practice
- Academic writing structure and language
- Speaking practice and timed mock tests
Practice materials
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Official IELTS Academic samples
Free tasks, answer keys, sample responses and a computer familiarisation experience covering the four skills.
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IELTS Ready by British Council
Free mock tests, short courses and webinars. The Premium package is included when booking IELTS with British Council.
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Official IELTS Writing resources
Examiner guidance and videos explain the assessment of Academic Writing tasks.
PTE
English languagePTE Academic
Practise academic English through computer-based tasks, including spoken responses recorded with a headset.
- Test time
- Approximately 2 hours
- Score scale
- 10–90
- Score validity
- 2 years
- Delivery
- Computer at a test centre
What the exam covers
- Speaking & Writing
- Reading
- Listening
Three parts assess the four language skills through individual and integrated tasks. Current preparation includes Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation, added in August 2025.
PTE Academic UKVI uses the same content and scoring and provides a SELT reference number for routes requiring it. Some response content is reviewed by people as well as automated scoring.
Preparation focus
- Microphone technique and spoken fluency
- Integrated reading, writing and listening tasks
- Current task types and timed practice
Practice materials
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Pearson Smart Prep
Free study planning, guided practice, video courses and task tips through a myPTE account.
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Official Scored Practice Tests
Paid full-length practice using Pearson's scoring engine, with an indicative skill report. Current versions reflect the updated test.
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Official Guide to PTE Academic
Paid eBook guidance, videos and extra practice questions for the tested skills and tasks.
TOEFL
English languageTOEFL iBT
Prepare to communicate in academic and everyday settings through reading, listening, writing and speaking tasks.
- Test time
- Allow approximately 2 hours
- Score scale
- 1–6 in half bands
- Score validity
- 2 years
- Delivery
- Test centre or Home Edition
What the exam covers
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
The current test includes everyday texts and academic passages, listening tasks, sentence building, email writing, academic discussion, repetition and interview-style speaking. Reading and Listening adapt to performance.
Tests from 21 January 2026 use the updated format and 1–6 score scale. During the two-year transition, score reports also show a comparable 0–120 total estimate.
Preparation focus
- Adaptive reading and listening practice
- Sentence building, email and discussion writing
- Repeat-and-interview speaking tasks
Practice materials
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ETS TOEFL preparation hub
Explore the test maker's preparation tools, courses, guides and practice resources.
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TOEFL iBT Practice Test 1 — 2026 format
Official downloadable practice aligned to tests from 21 January 2026. It is adapted for paper practice, rather than a live adaptive simulation; use the companion audio from the resource page.
GRE
Graduate admissionsGRE General Test
Strengthen verbal and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing for graduate programmes that require or accept GRE scores.
- Test time
- 1 hour 58 minutes
- Score scale
- Verbal / Quant: 130–170 each
- Score validity
- Reportable for 5 years
- Delivery
- Test centre or at home
What the exam covers
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
Five sections: one issue essay, two Verbal sections and two Quantitative sections. Verbal and Quantitative adapt between sections. Analytical Writing uses a separate 0–6 scale in half-point steps.
The current test contains one 30-minute essay and has no scheduled break. Programme requirements and GRE waivers vary.
Preparation focus
- Reading comprehension and vocabulary in context
- Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis
- Issue-essay planning and timed section practice
Practice materials
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Free POWERPREP practice
One untimed and one timed full-length official practice test. The untimed test does not produce Verbal or Quantitative scores; paid POWERPREP PLUS options are also available.
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GRE Mini Quiz
Try five Quantitative and five Verbal questions from the official test maker.
GMAT
Business admissionsGMAT Exam
Develop the reasoning and data-interpretation skills assessed by business schools that require or accept the GMAT.
- Test time
- 2 hours 15 minutes
- Score scale
- 205–805 total
- Score validity
- 5 years
- Delivery
- Test centre or online
What the exam covers
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Data Insights
64 questions across three 45-minute sections. All three sections contribute equally to the total score; each section uses a 60–90 scale.
You can choose the section order and take an optional 10-minute break. With time remaining, you can review questions and edit up to three answers per section.
Preparation focus
- Quantitative problem-solving and pacing
- Reading comprehension and critical reasoning
- Data Insights and full-length practice exams
Practice materials
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Free GMAT Official Starter Kit
Start with sample questions and two full-length official practice exams using the real exam's timing and scoring system.
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GMAT Official Prep
Explore official guides, section practice and additional full-length practice exams; some products are paid.