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We've collected the most frequently asked questions from our IELTS test takers, covering every stage of your IELTS journey. Our IELTS experts have provided answers and shared their unique insights.

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iconLast updated on May 21, 2025

Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Yes, if you did the UKVI IELTS test, you also have the option to retake one skill if you didn’t get the score you were aiming for in one of the components. You're eligible for IELTS One Skill Retake when you have completed a full UKVI IELTS on computer test at an eligible IDP test centre, and you've received your IELTS test score. You must take IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test date.

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May 21, 2025
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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
No, you can’t “buy” and IELTS certificate without taking the test. You might see people across social media or on certain websites offering fake Test Report Forms if you pay them money. Sometimes they pretend to work for IELTS. Don’t waste your money and risk your future opportunities. Immigration authorities and universities always check the validity or IELTS scores directly with us. If you’re caught using fake IELTS results, you risk a visa refusal or cancellation, withdrawal of an offer of study, and you may get banned from taking IELTS in the future.

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May 21, 2025
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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
No, it's a misconception that taking the IELTS test in another country is easier or harder. Your test is marked to the same standard wherever you take it. Besides, IELTS is very transparent about how we mark your test: the marking criteria examiners use are available for you to look at, too. IELTS Examiners are highly trained and follow global standards. That makes the IELTS test is fair and consistent, and the reason why more than 12,500 organisations around the world trust IELTS scores.

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May 21, 2025
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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
There is no minimum wait period before you can take the IELTS test again. However, if you didn’t get the results you were aiming for, I recommend you take some time to reflect on your scores, take some time to study and prepare, and then take the test again. IDP has lots of free preparation material to help you.
May 21, 2025
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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Good question! That depends on the country you are looking to move to. For example, in Australia you can generally use either IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. However, immigration authorities in Canada usually only accept IELTS General Training. So, always check with the immigration authorities (or a qualified migration agent) which IELTS test you require before you book your test. Legislation about immigration and visas changes frequently. When you’re looking to move to another country, it’s important to check the relevant government website for changes that may apply to you.

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May 21, 2025
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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
No, every time you take an IELTS test, you get a unique IELTS Test Report Form (TRF). This document has details about the test, and your score. When you sit IELTS a second time, you will get a new TRF but your previous one also remains valid. It’s up to you which one you want to share with the organisations you’re sending your scores to.
May 21, 2025
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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Don’t worry: if you ask IELTS to remark your test, your band score will never reduce or go down. It can only stay the same or go up. So, when you feel that the results you received from your IELTS test don’t reflect how you performed on the day of your test, you can ask IELTS to remark your test without having to worry that your score may go down.
May 21, 2025
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iconLast updated on May 15, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Correct spelling is very important in the IELTS Listening test. If you spell an answer incorrectly, it will be marked as wrong. If you’re taking the IELTS on paper test, you’ll be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the question book to the answer paper so make sure you check your spelling carefully when you do this. You can use British or American spelling.   Our blog post How to improve your spelling in the IELTS test has some good tips if you struggle with spelling.

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May 15, 2025
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iconLast updated on Feb 18, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Did you take your IELTS test on a computer at a test centre that offers IELTS One Skill Retake? If so, you might be eligible to take IELTS One Skill Retake for Listening if you are within 60 days of your original test date. You can check your eligibility and book a test here: IELTS One Skill Retake

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Feb 18, 2025
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iconLast updated on Feb 14, 2025

Last answered by Reza

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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
Listening for pleasure daily always helps. We listen casually without trying to understand every word but instead focusing on getting a gist of ideas. This is like when we listen to the news, or we listen to the radio when driving. Again, like reading there are some specific techniques too. Always start with reading the questions and remembering the keywords. Remember you only listen once, so it’s important to know/guess what to look for: e.g. is it an idea? a single word? A noun? Verb? Noun? Number/ name of a person or place? The other important technique is to train yourself to be able to “move on”. If you missed something, stop worrying about it and focus on what you should look for next.

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Feb 14, 2025
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iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
You’ll hear a range of different accents in the IELTS Listening test such as British, Australian, New Zealand and North American. If you’ve spent time in any of these countries, you’ll know that accents can change within a country too. For example, someone from the north of England will usually sound different to someone from the south. Before you take your IELTS test, try to exposure yourself to a variety of accents through podcasts, videos and radio stations so you get used to hearing the different ways people speak in English.

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Feb 7, 2025
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iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Jess

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Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
If you do your IELTS on Computer test, you will be given individual headphones for the Listening test. You will be able to adjust the headphones size and volume yourself to what is comfortable for you. If you do your IELTS on Paper test, the Listening test is often played over a loudspeaker to the room, so you do not have your own headphones. However, some centres may have headphones for the IELTS on Paper test. I suggest you contact your test centre beforehand to see if they have headphones for the IELTS on Paper test.

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Feb 7, 2025
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Fahad Rafique

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Canada

16 years

Experience

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IELTS Expert

Hello! I'm Fahad, and I've been a part of IELTS since April 2010. Having been born and raised in the UAE and then migrating to Canada, I can truly say that IELTS takes you places. I firmly believe that success belongs to those who actively seek it. I'm here to help answer any questions you may have about IELTS and guide you on how to take that crucial first step toward achieving your international dreams – whether it's study, migration or work. I look forward to supporting you!!

Last online Aug 2, 2025

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Jess Christie

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Australia

8 years

Experience

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IELTS Expert

Hi, I'm Jess and I’m an IELTS Expert who has worked in the world of IELTS for 7 years. I help test takers do the best they can in the IELTS test by providing them with helpful tips to ensure they have a smooth test day. I am originally from regional Victoria in Australia, but I was an international student when I went to Ireland for University. I came back and decided to work in the world of international education, which led me to IELTS.

Last online Jun 25, 2025

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Lewis Crannitch

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New Zealand

2 years

Experience

role

IELTS Expert

Hi, I’m Lewis. I’ve worked with IELTS in New Zealand since 2017 and taught English in Japan, China, and NZ. Having also learned a language myself in China, I understand the challenges test takers face. I track English proficiency requirements in NZ and deliver IELTS Masterclasses and familiarisation sessions to support preparation, share resources, and make test day easier. I look forward to connecting with you on your IELTS journey.

Last online Sep 15, 2025

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Linda Alley

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Australia

11 years

Experience

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IELTS Expert

Hi! I’m Linda. I’m here to help you reach your IELTS goals by answering any questions you might have about the test and how to prepare. You may have seen me on our video podcast, IELTS Prepare by IDP. I also create learning materials and blog posts for IELTS test takers. Over the past 10 years, I’ve taught English as a Second Language to students from all over the world, so please get in touch if you have any questions on how to improve your language skills.

Last online Sep 16, 2025

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Reza Tasviri

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Australia

18 years

Experience

role

IELTS Expert

Hi, I’m Reza. I’m here to help you with advice on how to effectively use your knowledge of English to get the best outcome in your IELTS test. I can answer questions on what the test asks you to do, how it assesses your performance, and how you can show you have what it takes. I’ve been involved with IELTS for 17 years now. I’ve been an English Language teacher for 27 years and a lifelong learner (English is not my first language. I started when I was 17 and haven’t stopped since).

Last online Jul 9, 2025

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Rocco Nigro

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Australia

26 years

Experience

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IELTS Expert

Hello, my name is Rocco and I am one of the IELTS Experts here at IDP. Since 1995, I've been involved in English language teaching, teacher training, assessment and academic management, which has helped me develop a wealth of knowledge about the IELTS test. I enjoy meeting students and test takers from all over the world. If you have any questions about how to do your best in the IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking tests, I can give you some good approaches to help you on test day.

Last online Jun 18, 2025

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Vincent Blokker

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Australia

11 years

Experience

role

IELTS Expert

Hi! I’m Vincent, and I'm here to help you succeed in your IELTS journey. I live in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Australia, but I work with students from all over the world. I can help with advice and resources and answer your questions about IELTS. I also write blogs with tips for the test and have created study materials for IELTS. I’m an expert on any questions about the organisations, universities, and governments that accept IELTS for work, study, or your visa. Feel free to contact me!

Last online Jul 1, 2025

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