How should I study for YDS?
Facts last checked against official sources on October 7, 2026.
Short answer
Most YDS points come from vocabulary and reading. Short daily study, spaced review of academic words, separate practice on conjunctions and timed mocks (80 questions, 180 minutes) are the most efficient way to prepare.
Practical tips
- Learn academic words in context and review the ones you are about to forget first.
- Practise conjunctions and tense agreement: most cloze and sentence-completion items depend on them.
- Read at least one passage a day; also read why the wrong options are wrong.
- Log your mistakes and return to the same question type a few days later.
With Prepina
Prepina starts with a free level test and builds a 10–20 minute daily plan around your exam date: spaced word review, short lessons and YDS-format questions.
Frequently asked
How many words do you need for YDS?
There is no official number; for 70 and above, the 3,000 most frequent general words plus 1,000–1,500 academic words and the connectors and phrasal verbs YDS favours are enough in practice. Learning words in sentences with spaced review, not from lists, is what shows on exam day.
What counts as a good YDS score?
It depends on the purpose: 55 is the minimum for associate professorship and doctoral applications, 70 for the C-level language allowance in public service, 80 for B level and 85 for language posts. Scholarships and academic vacancies mostly ask for 70 or more; above 80 is strong for any purpose.
How many months does YDS preparation take?
From B1 to a score of 70, 4–6 months of 45–60 minutes a day is realistic; from A2, 8–12 months. Vocabulary and reading speed decide the time: grammar topics are finished in a few weeks, reading and vocabulary continue daily until the exam.
Can you prepare for YDS on your own, without a course?
Yes. The exam is entirely multiple choice, so resources, regular study and mistake analysis are enough; a course mainly adds discipline and technique. Prepina’s daily plan, mock exams and explained questions make this possible for free.
Start preparing for YDS today
Take the free level test to see where you stand; Prepina builds a 10–20 minute daily plan around your exam date.