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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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iconJun 17, 2025

Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
A formal letter is to a person you do not know and you have never met. A semi-formal letter is to someone you know, but you need to be polite. E.g. to a boss or professor.
Jun 17, 2025
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iconMay 14, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
For Task 1, you need to write at least 150 words and for Task 2, you’ll be asked to write at least 250 words. The word count is the same for both the IELTS Academic and General Training tests.  Practise writing to these limits before you take the IELTS Writing test to give yourself the best possible change of achieving the band score you need. If you write less, you might not have fully answered the question. If you write too much, it can be easy to go off-topic.  In the IELTS computer test, you don’t need to count each word yourself, as the word count is shown on the screen.

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May 14, 2025
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iconJun 16, 2025

Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
They can be formal or informal. Besides that, you could be asked to write a letter of complaint, invitation, request, apology, etc. - basically a variety of social functions.
Jun 16, 2025
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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
They can be formal or informal. Besides that, you could be asked to write a letter of complaint, invitation, request, apology, etc. - basically a variety of social functions.
Jun 16, 2025
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iconMay 27, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
IELTS band scores range from a band 0 to a band 9, with 0 being the lowest and 9 being the highest level of English language proficiency. There is no pass or fail score. Score requirements are set by governments, universities and other recognising organisations, not IELTS. These vary, depending on the level of English they require. If you’re taking IELTS for work, study or migration, check with the organisation you’re applying to, so you know the minimum score you need to achieve.

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May 27, 2025
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iconJun 17, 2025

Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
It is fine to cross it out and write your answer again. Just make sure it is done clearly. In the IELTS on Computer test, you can delete your response easily.
Jun 26, 2025
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iconMay 29, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Start by returning to the main idea you presented in your introduction, reinforcing your position. Next, it’s important to give a summary of the main points you mentioned in your essay.  Finish by giving your opinion. This might also include a suggestion for future action or a prediction about future impact, depending on the essay topic. Make sure you use different words and sentence structures so you’re not repeating the same phrases you used in your body paragraphs. It’s also important not to introduce any new arguments in your conclusion. If you’d like to see a sample conclusion, read our article IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good conclusion

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May 29, 2025
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Last answered by Rocco

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Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
Try to read a wide variety of texts. This can include news and magazine articles, novels, informative texts, transcripts, etc. The more widely you read the better.
Jun 17, 2025
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iconJun 17, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
The IELTS test helps you develop the English skills you need to succeed at work in an English-speaking environment. You'll learn how to express ideas clearly and professionally, which is important for meetings, emails and presentations. The Listening section helps you improve your focus and understanding, which is useful in interviews, phone calls and work discussions. In the Reading section, you'll practise finding important details quickly, a skill needed when reading reports, emails or instructions at work.

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Jun 17, 2025
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iconAug 4, 2025

Last answered by Fahad

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Fahad Rafique
IELTS Expert
There are plenty videos that you will be able to find online. Here are a few links to get you started: 1. IELTS Prepare website by IDP - Video podcasts available - Also available on IELTS by IDP App 2. IELTS by IDP Youtube Channel.

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Aug 5, 2025
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iconMay 29, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
You may be asked to describe how data changes over time, so it can be useful to practise words and phrases for describing increases, decreases, fluctuations and periods of stability. You might also need to describe how much something has changed, e.g. “a sharp rise”, “a gradual increase.”You should also be able to use words in different forms so you can show the examiner that you can use a range of sentence structures. E.g. “There was a gradual increase in exports.” “Exports increased gradually.” Some Task 1 questions will ask you to compare maps, so you’ll need to know vocabulary for describing positions or locations e.g. “at the bottom of”, “above” etc.

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May 29, 2025
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iconJun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

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Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
This is a big question. The best starting point is to get an idea of how good your writing is and then focus on where you need to improve: e.g. is it your grammar that needs work? Is it how you develop ideas?, and things like that. Also it’s always a good idea to have a close look at the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors. Look at all the rating criteria and see what you need to show for each criteria to get to a certain band.

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Jun 30, 2025
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iconMay 29, 2025

Last answered by Linda

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Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Start by identifying which writing sub-skills you need to focus on. For example, maybe you’re good at using a range of vocabulary but you struggle with punctuation? Perhaps you can use verb tenses correctly, but you need to get better at organising your ideas within your paragraphs. Try some IELTS Writing tasks and ask a teacher to give you feedback on your writing. They’ll be able to show you which sub-skills to work on and help you find resources you can work through to improve in these areas.

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May 29, 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

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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

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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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Vishal Ramesh

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India

1 year

Experience

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IELTS Expert

Your friendly neighbourhood community manager

Last online Mar 4, 2025

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