Speaking · Unit 5: Practice and exam day
S49: The last 7 days before your Speaking test
Target all bands
One week left. Many students panic and try to learn 200 idioms or memorise answers to 50 cue cards. That's the worst thing you can do. The last week isn't for learning new things. It's for building confidence, fixing small habits, and arriving at the test calm and ready.
Why this matters
Your level won't change much in seven days. But your performance on the day can change a lot. A calm, warmed-up student can perform close to their best. A stressed, exhausted student often performs below their real level.
The 7-day plan
| Day | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 7 | Full mock | Record a full 12-minute mock test. Listen back and note your top 3 problems. |
| Day 6 | Weakest area | Spend 30 minutes on your weakest criterion (lesson S44). |
| Day 5 | Part 2 | Practise 4 cue cards from different categories using your story bank. |
| Day 4 | Part 3 | Practise 8 Part 3 questions with A + E + E + O and speculation language. |
| Day 3 | Mock with a partner | Full mock with a friend or teacher. Get feedback. |
| Day 2 | Light review | Review your speaking log and your story bank. One short practice only. |
| Day 1 | Rest | Light warm-up only. Prepare your ID and documents. Sleep early. |
What to do every day this week
- Speak English for at least 30 minutes. Any kind: practice, phone calls with a friend, talking to yourself.
- Listen to natural English for at least 20 minutes. Podcasts or YouTube.
- Do 5 minutes of pronunciation warm-up on your problem sounds.
What NOT to do this week
- Don't learn lots of new idioms or words. You won't use them naturally, and you might use them wrongly.
- Don't memorise full answers. You'll sound robotic, and the examiner will notice.
- Don't stay up late studying. Tiredness affects fluency more than you think.
- Don't compare yourself to others in Facebook groups. Everyone's path is different.
The night before
- Check your ID, booking confirmation and route.
- Lay out comfortable clothes.
- Do 10 minutes of light speaking practice. Then stop.
- Go to bed at a normal time.
The morning of the test
- Eat a proper breakfast.
- Speak English out loud for 10 to 15 minutes. Answer a few easy Part 1 questions.
- Leave early.
Honest note
If your mock tests this week are far below your target, it might be worth asking yourself whether to take the test now or reschedule. Rescheduling rules and fees depend on your test centre, so check with them directly. But if you're close to your target, trust your preparation and go for it.
Your task today
Count the days until your test. Copy the 7-day plan into your notebook or phone, with the real dates.