The official IELTS by IDP app is here! Download it today.

Close

Get expert answers to your IELTS questions

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.

Read more about what IELTS experts have to say

icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 16, 2025

Last answered by Rocco

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
It is important to mention all the categories and divisions but you don't need to include every figure. Concentrate more on the key features and group all the non-essential categories together briefly.
Jun 16, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 14, 2025

Last answered by Linda

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Not at all. The structure and content of the IELTS Online test is exactly the same as the IELTS Academic test in a test centre. Our IELTS preparation hub has lots of free resources you can use to get ready for your test. These include practice tests, masterclasses, videos, vodcast episodes and articles. You can you find these resources here.

Read more

Feb 14, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 14, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
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.

Read more

Feb 14, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
There is some casual practice that you can do every day which I highly recommend, and that is reading news items, articles or reports that have graphs, charts, tables and the like. I see many of those in the business/economy section of news websites and in science magazines and websites. This is the enjoyable bit. There is also some focused practice. Go through official test samples, look at the graphs and tables and read sample responses and that gives you a very good idea of how to analyse and report data.

Read more

Feb 7, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Linda

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Good question! Our masterclasses and webinars run at different times in different countries. To register for an online masterclass in your time zone, go to the events calendar on our website or app. You can download the IELTS by IDP app in Google Play or the App store. Alternatively, you can contact your local IELTS test centre for more information.

Read more

Feb 7, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Linda

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
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.

Read more

Feb 7, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
All IELTS on Computer tests around the world use the same testing platform. If you click here you can see what the platform looks like and practice all 3 components before your test. Test out what all the buttons and options do. You will see you can change the font size, screen and text color. Knowing what to expect will help you massively on test day!

Read more

Feb 7, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
For the Listening and Reading tests you can write your answers in all capital letters if you want to. There are no rules about writing in Lower or Upper case for the Listening and Reading.
Feb 7, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
You can use either American or British English spellings in your IELTS test. However, I suggest being consistent with the kind that you use. So, if you are using American English, stick with it, don't swap halfway through your Writing test to British English
Feb 7, 2025
profileverified-icon

Fahad Rafique

flag

Canada

16 years

Experience

role

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

profileverified-icon

Jess Christie

flag

Australia

8 years

Experience

role

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

profileverified-icon

Lewis Crannitch

flag

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

profileverified-icon

Linda Alley

flag

Australia

11 years

Experience

role

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

profileverified-icon

Reza Tasviri

flag

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

profileverified-icon

Rocco Nigro

flag

Australia

26 years

Experience

role

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

profileverified-icon

Vincent Blokker

flag

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

Show less

Powered byTap logo

Read more about what IELTS experts have to say