Question 1

How are you going to verify my identity on the test day?

Accepted Answer

You’ll be asked to verify your identity both before the Speaking test and the rest of the sections. Part of the verification process is capturing your photo and your finger-scan. Your details and your photo will appear on your Test Report Form, so it’s important to make sure all your information is correct.

Question 2

What do I need to bring on the day of the IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

On the day of the test, you must bring your current passport (only original and current passports are accepted). Your passport must have an expiry date of at least 7 days after the test date to be considered valid. Photocopies or certified copies will not be accepted.

Clear bottle of water – remove all labels and bottle must be see-through.

Effective May 1, 2025, all test takers must use only black ballpoint pens when completing IELTS paper-based answer sheets. Test takers need not bring any stationery, as Test Centres will provide them.

There is no change in how your IELTS test is marked. The switch from pencil to pen does not affect your score in any way. IELTS continues to maintain the same standards and quality processes that have enabled success for millions of test takers globally.

Find your test centre here

Question 3

Do I need to bring passport photos?

Accepted Answer

No, the test centres will take your photo on the test day when you go for the registration.

Question 4

What not to bring?

Accepted Answer

Mobile phones must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor.
Usually a secure room for personal belongings is available. You are strongly advised not to bring any valuable items with you to the test.
Items not allowed in the test room include:

mobile phones

all electronic devices

keys

wallets

food

bags

watch/smartwatch/fit-bit

all other belongings

Question 5

When should I arrive at the test centre?

Accepted Answer

Please give yourself at least an hour’s time to complete the registration process and relax before sitting the test.

Question 6

Will I take all test components on the same day?

Accepted Answer

Whether or not you take all the components (Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening) of your IELTS test on the same day or not will depend on where you sit your test. Please check with your Test Centre for details about how they deliver IELTS.
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Question 7

What if my details change?

Accepted Answer

If your address changes or you’re issued with a new passport after you’ve applied to take IELTS, please contact IELTS Customer Support Team or the test centre to update your details. On the day of the test you’ll need to bring both your old and new passport to registration – photocopies or certified copies will not be accepted on test day.

Question 8

Can I leave the test room during the Listening, Reading or Writing sections of the test?

Accepted Answer

Test takers are not permitted to leave the test room:

during the Listening test

between each section

in the last 10 minutes of each section

Test takers are permitted to leave the test room during the Reading and Writing section. If you need to leave the test room at any time during these tests, including if you become ill, please quietly raise your hand and an invigilator will assist you. Test takers who leave the test room for any reason will not be permitted extra time to complete the test.

Question 9

Can I bring my children or other family members with me?

Accepted Answer

No. Test takers and test staff are the only people permitted to enter the test venue during testing. If you have a family member or friend who will collect you after your test, please advise them that they will need to wait for you outside the test venue.

Question 10

Is there time at the end of the reading section of the IELTS test to transfer answers to the answer sheet?

Accepted Answer

The reading section takes one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in that hour.

Question 11

Can I write on the question papers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The examiners do not see your question papers.

Question 12

How long does the IELTS test take to complete?

Accepted Answer

Paper Test – Writing, Listening, Reading – Up to 3 hours

Computerized Test – Listening, Reading, Writing – Up to 2 hours 45 mins

Speaking Test (Both) – 11-14 mins

Question 13

Will headphones be provided for listening test?

Accepted Answer

Headphones are provided for computerized tests. For on paper tests, please check with the test centre.

Question 14

What happens if I am absent on the day of the IELTS test without giving prior notice?

Accepted Answer

If you are unable to attend your test due to a serious medical condition and can provide a medical certificate within five days of the test date, you may qualify for a refund minus the local administrative cost. However, if you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee.
Contact IELTS if you have any questions

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What to expect on test day?

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IELTS Reading test: how to manage your time?

Grammar 101: Affect vs. Effect

Grammar 101: Understanding verb tenses

What to expect on the test day?

What to expect on test day?