Preparing for an official language test or exam (such as the B2 or N1) often requires specific study for that test. Track that time in this category!
Parent Skills:
Preparing for an official language test or exam (such as the B2 or N1) often requires specific study for that test. Track that time in this category!
Learn the structure of the test
Improve your weak points the test is likely to focus on
Pass tests that are higher than your real ability
Taking a test in your target language is often required for something like school, work or immigration. But it can also be a great standardized marker of your progress in the language! But preparing for a test isn't like normal immersion learning. There are different things you need to keep in mind and focus on.
Unless you need to pass a test for something, we generally don't recommend devoting time and energy to it until you're already fairly comfortable and fluent in the language. But take into account your own personal circumstances and then decide when it's right for you to take the test.
Until about the intermediate stages, your focus should be on learning to understand the language, not anything test specific. Being able to understand and use the language is a very large part of the test, after all. But once you reach an intermediate level in reading, writing, listening and speaking, it does become very beneficial to specifically study for the test you're going to take.
This means reducing your "general" language learning time or adding on test prep as more time.
Taking time to study for a test will (probably) take away from your immersion time! This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but can slow down your progress, so keep that in mind.
The other issue is that studying for a test can feel a lot like doing math homework. It's helpful if you want to get a good score, though!
The best thing you can do is find a course or guide on exactly how to take the test and how to pass the level you're aiming for. Each language has a slightly different test and slightly different requirements. They also change fairly frequently, so finding a fairly up to date course with good reviews is worth it.
You should also search out people who've taken (and passed) the test you're aiming for! Hearing their personal experience, especially if they're an immersion learner, can be incredibly valuable test prep.
There are also many tutors online who specialize in test prep. Scheduling a few lessons with them (even if they're expensive) can be well worth the investment.
The final recommendation we have is to look for (and take) practice tests! They may not be exactly like the official version, but getting some real life practice is incredibly valuable and means that you aren't going into the real test without trying to do it.