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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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Last answered by Vincent

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Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Each provincial and territorial regulatory body has specific certification requirements, which internationally educated teachers must meet to teach in a given Canadian province or territory. For example, the Ontario College of Teachers sets the requirements to register as a teacher in that province. For IELTS Academic, you must achieve a minimum overall score of 6.5, with minimum scores of 6 in reading, 6 in listening, 6 in writing, and 6.5 in speaking. Because each province and territory may have different requirements, always check with the teacher regulatory body where you want to use your IELTS results to see what scores you need.

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Jun 16, 2025
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Last answered by Jess

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Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
If you are doing your IELTS test on paper, you will need to write with a black pen. This is required for the system to pick up your answers when marking is being completed. If you are doing your IELTS test on the computer, you will be provided with a pen to make notes.
Jun 2, 2025
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Last answered by Fahad

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Fahad Rafique
IELTS Expert
Speaking test tends to examine your ability to effectively communicate and converse with a live person. If you are not able to gather thoughts on the topic given, it would still be highly recommended to talk about something rather than staying silent. You may create phrases and talk about you being unfamiliar with the topic given. You can use general knowledge and speculate on the topic which will award you a score for the speaking ability. I would recommend you review IELTS speaking resources and brush up on how to achieve a good score in the speaking test here .

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Aug 4, 2025
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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
Focus on some of the key words in the question first and talk about them. You may find that you can link them together. Besides, you can always speculate on the topic - you are judged on your language skills, not your knowledge.
Jun 17, 2025
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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
I can assure you this is a very rare thing to happen, and if it happens it may just be nerves. All IELTS Speaking questions and topics are carefully constructed so the topics are not too specialized or obscure. If you can’t think of anything to say, it is fine to tell the examiner things like “Well, it’s a tough one. I am trying to remember”. It’s best not to stop and stay silent. In the end, if nothing comes to mind, be creative and make up stories. You do not get or lose points for telling the truth. It’s OK to make up stories. The Speaking Examiner only looks at how well you speak.

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Feb 7, 2025
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Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
If you are talking about grammar errors, it can be a good idea to record yourself when you do speaking practice. You can then go back and listen to see what kind of errors you make. You may see a pattern - if so, do some exercises on that particular problem area.
Jun 30, 2025
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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Practise speaking English regularly, through both everyday conversations and by answering some IELTS Speaking test practice questions . Ask a teacher or some English-speaking friends for feedback. They can point out areas where you may be making mistakes, such as pronunciation or vocabulary. This will help you decide what you need to work on before your IELTS test.

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May 29, 2025
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Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
There are no common topics as a wide range of themes are used. Try not to predict what you could be asked and be orepared to talk about any topic.
Jun 17, 2025
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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test focuses on everyday topics about your life such as work or studies, your hometown, family, hobbies and experiences. In Part 2, you’ll be asked to speak for up to 2 minutes on one topic. Part 3 focuses on discussion questions about this topic. For example, the questions might cover areas like technology, health, tourism, the environment, shopping or education. Work on building up your vocabulary, so you’re prepared to speak about a wide variety of topics.

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May 27, 2025
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Last answered by Reza

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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
It’s very normal to feel nervous before the speaking test: we sometimes lack confidence about our speaking, we are too stressed about getting the score we need, we have had previous stressful experiences with a test, or we may have heard stories of other people’s experiences and their challenges. I think if you work out where your stress comes from, it’s much easier to deal with it. As a rule, keep reminding yourself that every speaking test is unique so what you have heard from other test takers may not be true in your case, the examiner is a trained professional who is there to help you feel calm and show your best performance, and that being stressed is part of being serious about the test. On the day of the test a few things work for me: keep smiling, spend half an hour or an hour before you go to the test doing an activity that you like and enjoy (going to a café? listening to music? walking? catching up with a friend?). Also like athletes need warm up, you may need to and a good 20-30 minute warm up before the test is repeating after a recording of a speaker you like and who speaks good English (an actor, a sportsperson, a politician, an influencer, e.g) and trying to reach their pace of fluency and clarity of pronunciation.

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Aug 6, 2025
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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
They are only human, so don't worry about them. In fact, they try to put test takers at ease, not try to pressure them. Just be yourself.
Jun 17, 2025
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Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
Don’t worry – you're not alone. It’s completely normal to feel nervous before any test. Here are a few things you can do to build your confidence. Get familiar with the types of questions you’ll be asked in the Speaking test by watching our IELTS Speaking samples playlist on our YouTube channel. Try to avoid speaking quickly as this will affect your pronunciation. Remember that good fluency does not mean speaking fast – it means you can speak without hesitation and extend your answers. Speak naturally and use your own words. It’s hard to speak with good pronunciation and accuracy if you are trying to respond to the examiner’s questions with memorised answers.

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Feb 5, 2025
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Last answered by Reza

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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
I know the feeling as I learned English long before internet or social media and there was no one around to speak in English with. It can be frustrating, but the upside is there are a few things you can do. There are sone very good language learning forums or language exchange platforms online where people get together, share ideas and have chat rooms or speaking clubs where they speak. Also, more and more chatbots are becoming available for free speaking practice. If you are interested in computer games and online gaming, there is also some opportunity there to communicate with other players in real-time. Last, but not at all least, solo practice of talking, recording yourself and listening back to yourself is a proven technique.

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Aug 6, 2025
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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
I know it’s a tough task. I had the same experience myself when I was learning English many years ago, but it’s much better times now. Find people online who would be willing to speak with you in English. Also there are chatbots available these days that you can speak with. Generative AI (e.g. Chat GPT) may also be helpful.
Jun 30, 2025
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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Don’t worry. It’s still possible to achieve a high band score in IELTS Speaking – even if you’re not living an English-speaking country. To improve your speaking skills, try an online language exchange. Many of these are free or only involve a small cost. They’re a great way to improve your fluency or try out new phrases in a friendly, low-pressure environment. You can also practise IELTS Speaking topics on your own. Record yourself on your phone. When you listen back, think about what areas you can improve. Want to hear some more ideas from someone who has been there before? Tune into episode 10 of our video podcast and listen to May Huynh who shares how she got a band 8 while preparing for IELTS in Vietnam.

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Feb 7, 2025
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Last answered by Reza

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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
There is no definite answer because it depends on how much you practise, which skills you need to improve most in and in which areas (e.g. grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation e.g.). What is clear is that you need to work out what you need to work most on and practice daily.
Jun 30, 2025
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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
It depends on how much work you are prepared to do. Consider setting some goals to help you stay motivated as you need to be consistent in your practice. Remember, there is no short cut, so be prepared to put in the effort.
Jun 17, 2025
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Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
It can be an idea to do a lot of listening practice, especially with video as it you can see how the speaker moves their mouth and face, that is, if you don't have the opportunity to engage with native speakers. Record yourself and listen back to your speaking to compare.
Jun 17, 2025
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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Try recording yourself and then playing back the recording. This can help you identify areas for improvement like word stress and intonation. If you’re not sure what areas you need to work on, ask a teacher to listen to your recordings to give you feedback.
May 29, 2025
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Last answered by Fahad

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Fahad Rafique
IELTS Expert
Fluency is a core component tested during the IELTS Speaking exam. It measures your ability to speak smoothly and at length without unnatural hesitation or pauses. You can improve your fluency by practicing solo: record yourself answering prompts, listen for where you stall, and use professional fillers like "That is an interesting question..." to buy thinking time. Additionally, mimic the rhythm and pacing of speakers on podcasts or interviews to build natural confidence. Finally, immerse yourself by conversing with family and friends in English the week before your test to stay fully "in sync" with the language.

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Jun 5, 2026
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Last answered by Jess

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Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
Yes, you can move through the questions within the section at your own pace and desire. This is very useful during the Reading and Writing sections as it allows you to start with the questions you are most confident with. For the listening section however it is important to stay in line with the audio, so follow along the questions in order.
Jun 4, 2026
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Last answered by Jess

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Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
IELTS can offer a wide range of access arrangements. For hearing difficulties we can offer modified listening tests in a private room that are played through twice. For those with more severe hearing difficulties we can also offer lip reading listening tests including practice sessions with the designated staff who will assist you on the day. Exemptions can also be obtained in the most severe of cases. Please contact your local test centre to arrange these ammendments to your test. Ensure you allow enough time as applications for access arrangements must be approved by Cambridge in advance.

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Jun 4, 2026
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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

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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

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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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