Frequently asked Questions about International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Content Outline:
1. About IELTS test
2. Registering for IELTS test
3. Sitting for the IELTS test
4. Taking the IELTS test
5. IELTS Test results

About the test

1. What is IELTS?
2. Which organisations accept IELTS?
3. Who owns IELTS and who writes the test?
4. Why are there two versions of the test?
5. Which version should I do?
6. What is the test format and how long will it take?
7. What help is available for disabled candidates?

1. What is IELTS?
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting one million tests globally, IELTS is the world’s most popular English testing system.

2. Which organisations accept IELTS?
IELTS is accepted by more than 6000 organisations worldwide. These include universities, immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies. To search for a recognising institution, use the IELTS Global Recognition System.

3. Who owns IELTS and who writes the test?
IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and offered through more than 500 locations in 120 countries. International teams of writers contribute to IELTS test materials. Ongoing research ensures that IELTS remains fair and unbiased. Test writers from different English-speaking countries develop IELTS content so it reflects real-life situations.

4. Why are there two versions of the test?
IELTS has two versions – Academic and General Training. The Academic test is for those who want to study at a tertiary level in an English-speaking country. The General Training test is for those who want to do work experience or training programs, secondary school or migrate to an English-speaking country. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.

5. Which version should I do?
Read the explanation of the Academic and General Training tests, then contact the organisation or institution to which you are applying to find out what it requires. Note that you must know which version to take when you complete the IELTS Application Form.

6. What is the test format and how long will it take?
IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests. Find out more and see a test sample.
The IELTS Official Practice Materials 2007 explains the test format in detail and gives you practice tests and answers. Order a copy online or through your local test centre.

7. What help is available for disabled candidates?
Test centres make every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you have a special need, talk to your local test centre when registering. Centres may need three months to organise arrangements.

Registering for the test

1. Where can I take IELTS?
2. When can I take IELTS?
3. How much does it cost?
4. What if I need to postpone or cancel my application?
5. What if I am absent or sick on the test day?

1. Where can I take IELTS?
You can take IELTS in over 500 locations worldwide. Search for your nearest test centre on the IELTS Worldwide Search. IELTS centres have friendly, helpful staff who will help you with the registration process.

2. When can I take IELTS?
IELTS is available on 48 fixed dates a year – up to four times a month, depending on local demand. Check all the test dates for the year or go to your nearest centre to see its next test date.

3. How much does it cost?
IELTS has a set fee for its test. The Academic and General Training tests are the same cost. To find out the test fee in your local currency, check the IELTS Worldwide Search for your nearest centre.

4. What if I need to postpone or cancel my application?
If you postpone or cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration charge.

If you postpone or cancel within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a medical reason. If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.

5. What if I am absent or sick on the test day?
If you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. However, if you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.

Sitting the test

1. Is the IELTS test completed in one day?
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

2. What if I am delayed by circumstances beyond my control (eg a transport strike)?
The test centre may offer you a test on the next available test date.

3. What can I bring into the examination room?
Only pens, pencils and erasers. You must bring the passport/national identity card you used on the IELTS Application Form to the test.
You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you do not switch off your phone/pager or keep it on you, you will be disqualified. Find out more.

4. Which part do I take first?
You do the Listening test first following by the Reading and Writing components of the test. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

5. What kinds of accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?
As IELTS is an international test, a variety of English accents are used in both of these tests.

6. Does the Listening tape provide instructions and pauses?
Yes. At the beginning, you hear instructions and a sample question. Then you read section 1 questions, listen to section 1 and answer the questions.
The same procedure follows for sections 2, 3 and 4.
In the final 10 minutes, you transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.

7. Is there a similar period of 10 minutes in the Reading test to transfer answer?
No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

8. Can I use a pen for the Listening and Reading tests?
No. You must do it in pencil. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot read pen.

9. Can I make notes on the Listening and Reading question papers?
Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper.

10. What is the Speaking test?
The Speaking test is a conversation with a certified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on an audiocassette or a digital recorder. Find out more.

11. What do I need for the Speaking test?
You must bring the same identification documents you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and used for the rest of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.

Test results

1. How are the tests marked?
IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. You receive individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and an Overall Band Score on a band scale from one to nine. Find out more.

2. Who sets the ‘pass’ mark for the IELTS test?
There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements. To find out more, search the IELTS Global Recognition System for specific organisations and scores.

3. When will I receive my test results?
You will receive your Test Report Form in the mail 13 days after your test date. Some test centres also provide SMS alerts and an Online Results Service. Keep your Test Report Form in a secure place as you only receive one copy. Find out more.

4. What if I lose my Test Report Form?
Test Report Forms are valid for two years. Copies cannot be sent to candidates but IELTS will forward a Test Report Form to your relevant institution or embassy. Up to five copies will be sent free of charge. Additional copies will incur a small administration charge. Talk to your test centre for further details.

5. How soon can I re-sit the test?
There is no limit on sitting the test. However, IELTS recommends you do additional study before taking the test again. Some test centres offer preparatory courses and language classes. You can also improve your skills by using the IELTS Official Practice Materials.

6. What if I feel my test result is wrong?
You can apply for an ‘enquiry on results’ procedure at your test centre within four weeks of receiving your results. You must pay an enquiry fee, which is fully refunded if your band score changes. Note that IELTS Examiners and markers follow strict assessment guidelines and are regularly monitored. The IELTS testing process has the highest quality control procedures.

Taking the test

On the test day, your IELTS centre will be helpful and friendly. But they have to follow strict procedures to ensure the quality and security of the test. Below are some guidelines for taking the test.

Arrive on time and try to stay relaxed and calm so you can do your best in the test. Read the Information for candidates booklet and Notice to candidates before coming to your test.

1. Bring your passport / national identity card with you:

You must have the same identification that you provided on your IELTS Application Form. If you do not have the correct identification document, you will not be able to take the test.

Pens, pencils and erasers which you need for the test.

2. During the test:

Follow the supervisor’s instructions. If you are in doubt, raise your hand and the supervisor will assist you.

Tell the supervisor if you think you have not been given the right question paper, or if the question paper is incomplete or illegible.

You may not ask for any explanation of the questions.

You may not lend or borrow anything from another person.

If you feel that your work may be affected by illness or any other reason, you must tell the supervisor at the time.

3. You must not:

Try to cheat, copy the work of another candidate or disrupt the test.

Use, or try to use, a dictionary, pager, spell-checker, electronic recorder or mobile phone. You will be disqualified.

Talk to, or disturb, other candidates once the test has started. Smoke, eat or drink in the examination room.

Reproduce any part of the test. You will have your test results disqualified and be liable to prosecution.

Take any materials from the examination room. This includes, but is not limited to, test papers, answer papers and working paper.

Leave the examination room without permission.

If you are caught infringing any of the candidate rules, your test result will be disqualified and your receiving institution or professional body will be notified.
Tips for the test
Here are some quick tips for practicing your English and taking the test. Good luck!

1. Practice for confidence

Practice your English language skills with the IELTS Official Practice Materials or through other books or courses.

Download the Information for candidates booklet to understand more about the test.

Read, speak and listen to English as much as you can.

Practice speaking English with your friends.

Use radio, television and the web to read and hear different English texts.

2. Arrive on time to the test

Double check the time and date of your test and allow plenty of time to travel to the test centre.

If you are late, you may not be allowed to take the test.

Make sure you drink water and eat healthy food on the day of your test.

3. Try to be calm and relaxed

Get a good night’s sleep before your test. Don‘t cram your study.

Try to remain calm at the test centre. The centre staff will be friendly and assist you.

Read the IELTS regulations before the test so you understand the rules. (A copy is on your IELTS Application Form.)

4. Understand the test format

To do your best, you need to know what to expect. Make sure you understand the test format.

Look at the free sample test pages to see the types of texts and questions.

5. Follow the instructions

Listen to the supervisor carefully and follow the instructions on how to sit the test.

When you open your test papers, read the instructions first before writing anything.

Don’t lose points for careless mistakes because you haven’t read the question properly.

6. Stay aware of the time

Every test room will have a clock on the wall. Stay aware of the time so you can complete all of your questions.

Each part has a number of sections. Allow enough time for each section. Some questions have suggested time limits for you to follow.

7. Do your best

If you feel yourself becoming worried, take some deep breaths to calm down.

Work calmly, focus on the questions, don’t rush your answers and you will do your best!
Find my nearest test centre
You can sit for an IELTS test in over 500 centres across the world. Find your nearest test centre by using the IELTS Worldwide Search.

Through IELTS Worldwide Search, you can also see the test dates, the deadline for registration and the test fee in your local currency.

The IELTS staff in your local centre are friendly and helpful. They can answer any of your queries.

Our test centres are managed by the British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia or by independent organisations that meet strict standards of quality, security and customer service.