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 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
If by “figures” you mean numbers, the answer is not all figures but important/ significant ones. You need to include data to support your summary. You don’t have to include every single figure, but the more significant ones to support your descriptions.
Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
In writing tasks of this kind, you are not required to write equally about both agreement and disagreement positions. Naturally you need to write more about your own position but also mention the other side and write some ideas about it too.
Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
The easiest way is to follow the order of bullet points that are included in the question. Start your letter by saying why you are writing the letter/purpose of the letter, then follow the order of bullet points and finish your letter with an appropriate ending.
Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
The best way is to look for what seems logical based on the task/ question and the data, graph, chart, table or map. For example, if it’s a flowchart or process, it’s best to organise your ideas in a way that they follow the process. As a general rule there are always a few things that you should always include. These are “introduction”, “overview”, “Summary/Description”. The safest way is to have them in this order, but it’s not the only way.

Read more

Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
I'd like to say first that there is no specific grammar for IELTS you need to focus on, but there is thenowledge of grammar of English, so basically anything you do that means you listen and watch in English more, you read in English more, you use English more in speaking and writing improves your grammar. The other exercise that really helps is to use books on grammar, or grammar exercises online and focus on one grammar lesson for a day or two and do as many exercised you can. This directly improves your grammar.

Read more

Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
Coherence refers to how logically your ideas are organised and follow each other. Cohesion is about using connectives (e.g. and, in conclusion, however), reference and substitution (e.g. pronouns, articles). You may find this document helpful too: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/ielts-web-static/production/Guides/ielts-writing-key-assessment-criteria.pdf

Read more

Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
The instructions in the writing question specifically ask for a letter to be written. While emails and letters share a lot of similarities, the format and tone of a letter is different to an email, so it’s best to stick with what you are asked and write a letter
Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
Complex structures are those sentences that have more than just the basic elements of subject, verb, object, and adverb as in “ I studied French in the first year of college”. They contain one or two structures within a sentence. Examples of complex structures are conditionals, adverbials, relative clauses, passive structures, using participle clauses, etc. Instead of saying “I don’t have time. I cannot finish my assignment by this evening” we can combine the two sentences into a complex structure and say “If I had more time, I could finish my assignment by this evening”. Complex structure allow us to express more ideas and also make the writing more engaging

Read more

Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
A very good question. This is an indicator of how cohesive and coherent a piece of writing is. Referencing and substitution is when we use words like pronouns (him/her, this/that, these/those, it), and articles (a/an, the). Substitution and referencing help avoid repeating ideas and making sentences clearer.
Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
It’s always good to have a close look at the IELTS Writing band descriptors to understand what band 8 needs. You need to be able to answer all parts of the question, so read the question first carefully. Focus on organisation; link your ideas logically and use paragraphing well. Use more complex words and use them only when you are confident when your are using them correctly, and make sure you use varied grammar and avoid making common mistakes. Reviewing your writing is always a good idea.

Read more

Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
I assume you mean how to move to band 4.5 from a lower band. Practice with different IELTS writing tasks; look at the questions and try to think of answers, write down your ideas, first in words and then in sentences. Then try to put your ideas in order. See if you can use some linking words (for example, and, so, but, in summary). Try to use a few complex structures, for example “if” sentences and push yourself to use a few new words every time you practice.

Read more

Jun 30, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Jun 30, 2025

Last answered by Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
The IELTS test offers various access arrangements for those who need additional support. This includes arrangements for dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Your test center will require some time to facilitate the arrangements, which may include extra time for your exam, so make sure to contact them well before you would like to sit the test. You will need to provide the test center with a medical certificate from a specialist doctor that states why you require specific arrangements. Your test center will then organise a test date and inform you of the arrangements that have been approved for your test.

Read more

Jun 30, 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