I've been thinking about the impact of mindset on exams for a while, and I've also been thinking about how I felt during my very own IELTS.

Picture this: I was sitting in front of the IELTS examiner, palms sweaty, mind blank, convinced that I was about to fail spectacularly. It was one of the most anxiety- inducing experiences of my life.

Why?

Because a little voice in my head was whispering, "My English isn’t good enough. I’ll never score high."

Sound familiar? Well, it’s time to tell that voice to take a hike.

I sat down with Huyen, a good friend of mine and excellent IELTS trainer & founder of Practice 9 (check it out here), and we had an amazing chat on how we can help out students and clients shift their mindset and overcome exam panic.

The Real Problem? Your Mindset, Not Your English

Let’s get one thing straight—you probably know more English than you give yourself credit for. The real enemy isn’t your vocabulary or grammar; it’s those pesky limiting beliefs that make you doubt yourself. These sneaky thoughts creep in and convince you that you’re not fluent enough, smart enough, or confident enough to succeed. And guess what? If you believe them, they become your reality.

Challenging Your Limiting Beliefs

The key to smashing IELTS (or anything, really) is to challenge these thoughts. Let’s break down some classic IELTS-limiting beliefs and give them a much-needed reality check:

• "I’ll never sound like a native speaker."
  • Newsflash: You don’t need to. IELTS is about communication, not imitation. If they wanted native speakers, they wouldn’t be testing English learners, right?
• "I make too many mistakes."
  • So does everyone. Examiners don’t expect perfection. They’re looking for how well you recover, rephrase, and keep the conversation going.
• "I’m just bad at speaking."
  • Nope, you’re just out of practice. Speaking is a skill, not a talent. The more you do it, the better you get. (And yes, talking to your cat counts.)

The Art of Reframing: Flip the Script

Instead of letting these thoughts sabotage you, try flipping them around. Here’s how:

❌ Limiting Belief: "I’m terrible at speaking under pressure."

✅ Reframed Thought: "I’ve had conversations under pressure before, and I survived. I can do this again."

❌ Limiting Belief: "I don’t know enough words to express myself."

✅ Reframed Thought: "I can use the words I DO know in creative ways to communicate my ideas."

The goal is to replace fear with facts and self-doubt with self-coaching.

Practicing with Purpose

Now that you’re ready to reframe, how do you actually practice?

• Talk to yourself (or your pet, mirror, or voice recorder). Get used to hearing your own voice in English.
• Expose yourself to different accents. The more you listen, the more flexible your ear (and brain) becomes.
• Simulate test conditions. Record yourself answering IELTS-style questions and then listen back. You’ll notice you’re better than you thought!

Why Having a Coach Changes Everything

Mindset shifts don’t happen overnight, and sometimes, we all need a little help getting there. That’s where having a coach comes in. A good coach doesn’t just correct your grammar—they help you challenge self-doubt, push past limiting beliefs, and build real confidence. Imagine having someone who keeps you accountable, gives you tailored feedback, and helps you walk into your IELTS test knowing you’ve got this.

If you’re tired of letting fear hold you back and want to work with a coach who understands exactly how to reframe your mindset for success, reach out to us. Let’s work together to turn your doubts into strengths and get you the IELTS score you deserve.

Final Thought: Your Mindset = Your Score

Your IELTS score isn’t just about your English skills—it’s about your ability to manage nerves, challenge your doubts, and reframe your thinking. The next time that voice of self-doubt creeps in, remind it who’s boss. (Hint: It’s you.)