How Long Does It Take to Prepare for Aptis?

There is no official number of weeks or hours to prepare for Aptis. Anyone who gives you one without asking your level is making a promise they cannot back up. What does exist is a measurable distance: the one between your current score and the cut-off of the level you need. That distance decides how long you need. Back to home.

What is official and what is not

• Official: the cut-off scores of each level in each skill, out of 50.
• Not official: any figure of hours or weeks. Neither the British Council nor the technical report of the exam publishes a preparation time. What we say here about time is AptisBot's own judgement.

How many points separate one level from the next

Distance between cut-offs in Aptis General (out of 50):

Two useful readings:

• Going from B1 to B2 needs more points than going from A2 to B1 in all four skills. The difference is bigger in the productive skills (Writing and Speaking).
• Your four skills are not at the same distance. Often one skill is further behind than the others.

How to calculate your case

1. Measure your starting point in each skill. One practice exam of each skill gives you an approximate score.
2. Subtract your score from the cut-off you want. That is your distance, skill by skill.
3. Start with the biggest distance, not with the skill you like most.
4. Measure again after a few weeks. If the distance goes down, the plan works.

What the time depends on

• Your starting level and the level you need.
• Which skill is furthest behind. In Aptis General the global level is the rounded average of the four, but many institutions ask for each skill separately.
• How much you practise each week, and how much of it is active practice (writing, speaking) instead of reading theory.
• How close your practice is to the format. Knowing the parts and the times removes mistakes that are not English mistakes.

A plan as a reference, not a promise

If you are close to B2 and want an order of work, we have an 8-week plan from B1 to B2. It is our own criterion, not a guaranteed deadline. If your distance is large, you will need more.

When to book the exam

Book when your practice exams stay above the cut-off more than once. One good score on one day may be luck. Several in a row are a better sign. Remember that you cannot retake a single skill: if one skill is below the level you need, you must sit the complete exam.

Frequently asked questions

How many weeks do I need for B2? There is no official figure. It depends on how many points you miss in each skill. In General, B2 starts at 34, 38, 40 and 41, depending on the skill.

Can I prepare for Aptis in one month? It depends on your starting point. If you are already close to the cut-off, it is possible. If you miss a whole level, it is unlikely. Measure it before you decide.

Do I have to prepare all four skills equally? No. Start with the one where you miss the most points.

Test your starting point

Take a practice exam in your browser and measure your starting point against the cut-off. The score is an estimate, not an official result.

Sources

"Aptis Scoring System" v2.1 (TR/2024/002) for the cut-off scores; British Council FAQ (18 July 2023) for retaking the complete exam. The differences between cut-offs are our calculation on that table; the advice is AptisBot's own judgement.

Aptis is a trademark of the British Council. AptisBot is an independent project.

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