I was in almost the same situation, local classes were just too pricey and honestly not great. I tried online prep and ended up doing much better with it. The discipline thing definitely matters, but once you set a routine it clicks. What worked for me was switching to a structured online course instead of random lessons. I used Online Cambridge Exam Preparation Teacher and it made a real difference because the whole thing was built around the Cambridge format, not just generic English. My band score went up more than I expected, especially in Writing and Speaking. The key was that I didn’t have to wait for a class schedule or deal with bad teachers. I could just follow the plan every day. If you’re consistent, online prep actually gives you more control and better results than mediocre in-person options.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I ended up going the online route too after being disappointed with a couple of local options. What surprised me most was how much easier it was to stay consistent when I could study on my own schedule. The flexibility helped a lot, but having a clear structure mattered even more. Once I stopped hopping between different materials and followed a steady plan, my preparation felt far more productive. In the end, regular practice and consistency made a bigger difference than where I was studying.