My Dream — To Study Computer Science in the USA, Preferably with a Scholarship

For this, I needed to pass the IELTS exam, and here’s how I prepared for it in 2025 without spending much on courses. If you have the same goal, my experience might help you.

First, I checked my level by taking a practice test on the IELTS Online Tests website. The result wasn’t as good as I hoped, and I realized that I needed more time and a clear plan. I made a plan for three months: the first month for grammar and vocabulary, the second for writing and speaking, and the third for full-time tests under time constraints.

But after a couple of weeks, I realized that three months wouldn’t be enough with my current level. It became clear right from the start that my vocabulary was lacking, and in writing, I couldn’t even connect complex sentences without making mistakes. Speaking was also difficult—I got lost, paused, and couldn’t quickly find the right words. So, I reconsidered my plan and decided to spend more time on the basics. The preparation process stretched out longer than I initially thought.

Since I couldn’t spend a lot of money on courses, I started looking for affordable online resources. I tried free apps like TestGlider and QIELTS, as well as other platforms. In the end, I chose QIELTS with the basic plan for $15 a month. This gave me access to an AI tutor who analyzed my mistakes in writing and speaking and helped me improve other parts of my preparation.

I decided to make good use of my time and started my Telegram channel, where I held Speaking clubs with my friends. Not only did this help me practice spoken English, but it was also fun to interact with people. In addition, I began earning money by helping others who were also preparing for IELTS. This way, I improved my English while earning money by sharing my experience.

I also hired a tutor, but I worked with him less often than my friends who attended courses or took individual lessons several times a week. I combined sessions with the tutor and preparation using AI tools. In general, I felt more comfortable with a person, his explanations were clearer, and live feedback gave me confidence. But AI tools like QIELTS and ChatGPT really helped with writing and speaking, analyzing mistakes and giving recommendations. I can recommend a good tutor—feel free to message me on Telegram @Mister_GGH.

A month before the test, I started doing full mock tests every week. This helped me train my speed and reduce stress before the exam.

In the end, I scored 7.5: 8.0 for listening, 7.5 for reading, 7.0 for writing, and 7.0 for speaking. This is enough for most universities in the USA, and now I am focused on submitting applications and searching for scholarships.

If you are also preparing for IELTS and want to study abroad, I hope my experience will be useful!