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Are you heading into your IELTS test? Are you worried about how COVID-19 will affect your IELTS test day? There is a lot happening in the world right now, but know we are here to support you and help keep your work, study and migration goals on track.  

Please know that IDP’s global community is #InThisTogether as we navigate the restrictions and frequent changes in place due to COVID-19.

Please read the Novel Coronavirus – Australia updates and resources  for the latest updates and information to testing in Australia.

Changes to IELTS Test arrangements because of Covid-19

We have been following the advice of the World Health Organisation  and relevant local governments to help create a healthy test day environment for all test takers. This includes additional safety measures to help protect you on your IELTS test day, as well as regular updates on IDP’s global community #inthistogther.  

Here is a summary of some of the additional precautions we have introduced for your test day: 

  1. Ask you to sign a health declaration 

  2. Test takers and staff may wear a mask 

  3. Hand sanitisers readily available 

  4. Test room disinfection & deep cleaning 

  5. Additional spacing for test takers and reduced group sizes 

  6. Partitions in computer-delivered IELTS test rooms

Wearing a mask does not affect your IELTS Speaking score

Health declaration

For the health and safety of all test takers, the test centre will ask you to complete a self-declaration form confirming you are fit and healthy to sit your IELTS test. 

If you experience any of the following, ensure you contact your test centre immediately and discuss options to reschedule your test:

  • If you have been in contact with a person suspected to have been exposed to novel corona virus 

  • If you are unwell, have a cough or fever, or are showing flu-like symptoms such as a shortness of breath or sore throat 

  • If you are currently under compulsory self-isolation 

Wearing a mask

Test centre staff and examiners may wear a face mask to cover their mouth and nose during your IELTS test. That’s a precautionary health measure. You’re welcome to bring your own mask and wear it throughout your test for your own safety. Test centre staff may ask you to uncover your face temporarily during security checks.  Also, at some locations, you need to wear a face covering inside by law. As a result, you need to have your mask on during your IELTS test. Test centre staff and examiners will also be wearing a face mask covering their mouth and nose during the test. But, don’t worry: wearing a mask does not affect your Speaking score  with IELTS.

Hand sanitiser readily available at your test centre

As we know, washing your hands regularly can help prevent the spread of COVID-19  virus. You will be asked to wash your hands regularly throughout your test day, from when you arrive, right through to when you finish your test. Test centre staff will also have anti-bacterial hand sanitiser for you to use throughout the day. 

You can help create a safe testing environment by using the hand sanitiser and washing your hands regularly.

Test room disinfection and deep cleaning

To ensure your safety, we disinfect all test-related equipment (such as desks, chairs, HB pencils, erasers, headphones, monitors, keyboards, mice…) after every test.

Additional spacing for test takers

To follow self-isolation guidance instructed by the World Health Organisation, we are providing wider personal space for each test taker, including partitions in computer-delivered IELTS test rooms.

Reduced test session sizes

We’ll accept fewer number of people in a room. So, this ensures an increased and safe space between each other as you take the test.

Partitions in computer-delivered IELTS test rooms

We equip our computer rooms with partitions. As a result, there is a good barrier between test takers.

Is testing suspended? Quick tips to prepare for IELTS during COVID-19

While IELTS testing has paused, use this time to study for your upcoming test. Here are some tips and official IELTS resources you can use to get ahead: 

  • Set up a study plan to keep your work, study or migration goals on track. 

  • Download our free practice tests to get a better understanding of the questions you might encounter.

  • If you are taking IELTS on a computer, download our free support tools and get familiar with the test format. 

  • Take IELTS Progress Check , an official mock test to get an official feedback report marked by IELTS Experts with indicative band scores.

  • Join the conversation online, with daily tips on preparation on our Facebook channels.  

  • Watch our suite of preparation videos on our YouTube channel.

  • Join an IELTS Masterclass and learn from IELTS Experts. 

On a less serious note, some fun ways you can practice English at home, include: 

  • Singing along to English songs 

  • Watching films or television shows in English (with subtitles) 

  • Listening to English radio, podcasts or audio books. 

And remember, we are here to help you achieve your work, study and migration goals. 

 

Unable to leave the house? Here is some support

If you are at home and under self-quarantine, then you can make use of the free preparation support available:

We’re here to support you to achieve your goals.

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