Conduct of an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)

Although I have an instrument rating, it's rare that I use it. Oftentimes I find it hard to even complete the six approaches in six months currency requirement.

When that happens, you have another six months to bring yourself up to currency. After that you need a CFI to sign off on an Instrument Proficiency Check

Regulation wise, there is very little specified as to what an IPC should be. Performance standards aren't even laid out. The only guidance is provided by Advisory Circular 61-98A, the relevant parts of which I excerpt below:

8. INSTRUMENT COMPETENCY CHECK -
KNOWLEDGE PORTION.

a. The CFI should determine that the pilot
has adequate knowledge and understanding of
FAR Part 91, especially Subpart B, Instrument
Flight Rules; Subpart C, Equipment, Instrument,
and Certificate Requirements; and Subpart E,
Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and
Alterations.

b. Additionally, the CFI should determine
that the pilot has adequate knowledge and
understanding of the following areas:

(1) Instrument en route and approach chart
interpretation, including Standard Instrument
Departures (SID) and Standard Terminal Arrival
Routes (STAR).

(2) Obtaining information, including weather phenomena.
and analyzing weather knowledge of hazardous conditions.

(3) Preflight planning, including aircraft
performance data, application of Notices to Airmen
(NOTAM) information, fuel requirements, alternate
requirements, and use of appropriate FAA
publications such as the Airport/Facility Directory.

(4) Aircraft systems related to IFR
operations, including appropriate operating
methods, limitations, and emergency procedures
due to equipment failure.

(5) Aircraft flight instruments and
navigation equipment, including characteristics,
limitations, operating techniques, and emergency
procedures due to malfunction or failure, such as
lost communications procedures.

(6) Determining the airworthiness status of
the aircraft for instrument flight, including required
inspections and documents.

(7) Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures
pertinent to flight under IFR with emphasis on
elements of ATC clearances and pilot/controller
responsibilities.

c. Following discussion of the above
subjects, the CFI should ask the pilot to prepare
for the skill portion of the competency check by
completing the necessary flight planning, obtaining
current weather data, filing a flight plan, and
conducting the preflight inspection. i.1 order to
more fully evaluate the pilot’s skills under normal
operating conditions, the CFI may wish to have the
pilot conduct a short IFR cross-country flight in
conjunction with the rest of the competency check.

9. INSTRUMENT COMPETENCY CHECK -
SKILL PORTION.
a. The maneuvers and procedures selected
for the insttument competency check should be
comprehensive enough to enable the CFI to
determine that the pilot can safely operate under
IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to
the aircraft flown and the ATC environment
selected. Proper adherence to ATC clearances
should be especially emphasized.

b. Regardless of the maneuvers and
procedures selected, the CFI should ensure that the
pilot demonstrates satisfactory basic attitude
instrument flying skills.

C. For checks conducted in an airplane but
not under actual instrument weather conditions, an
appropriate view-limiting device should be
employed to simulate instrument conditions.

d. As an aid in selecting maneuvers and
procedures for the competency check, the CFI
may wish to review the list contained in
Appendix 3. It must be emphasized that this list
should not be considered all-inclusive and is not
intended to limit a CFI’s discretion in selecting
appropriate maneuvers and procedures.

So you can see there is a lot of latitude. The important thing is for both you and the instructor to feel good about your instrument skills. Regardless, anyone who flies IFR so little as to not be current, should really consider whether they want to launch off into the goo without much recent experience. Hard IFR is some of the most demanding flying there is, and the only way to be safe at it is to practice often.