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How should I structure my letter for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?
Writing Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Answers from experts
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
Answers
How should I structure my letter for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?
Writing Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
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.
Read more
Jun 30, 2025
How will I receive my IELTS One Skill Retake results?
Listening General Training & General Training UKVI Results One skill retake
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
When your results for IELTS One Skill Retake have been released, we’ll send you an email. You can then log in to your IELTS account to check your scores. When you see your IELTS scores, you can download a PDF or send your results electronically to an organisation that accepts IELTS.
May 28, 2025
Answers
How will I receive my IELTS One Skill Retake results?
Listening General Training & General Training UKVI Results One skill retake
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
When your results for IELTS One Skill Retake have been released, we’ll send you an email. You can then log in to your IELTS account to check your scores. When you see your IELTS scores, you can download a PDF or send your results electronically to an organisation that accepts IELTS.
Read more
May 28, 2025
I did my IELTS test online. Can I do One Skill Retake?
Academic & Academic UKVI Results One skill retake
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Unfortunately, not. IELTS One Skill Retake is currently only available if you’ve done your full IELTS test on computer. But, if the score you received didn’t reflect your performance on test day, you could request a remark (IELTS calls this an Enquiry on Result, or EOR). IELTS will then take another look at your test. There is a fee to get your test remarked but if your score goes up, we will refund you that fee in full. IELTS is the only major English language test that offers you the option to retake one part of the test. If you want this security before you sit the test, look for IELTS on computer.
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
Answers
I did my IELTS test online. Can I do One Skill Retake?
Academic & Academic UKVI Results One skill retake
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Unfortunately, not. IELTS One Skill Retake is currently only available if you’ve done your full IELTS test on computer. But, if the score you received didn’t reflect your performance on test day, you could request a remark (IELTS calls this an Enquiry on Result, or EOR). IELTS will then take another look at your test. There is a fee to get your test remarked but if your score goes up, we will refund you that fee in full. IELTS is the only major English language test that offers you the option to retake one part of the test. If you want this security before you sit the test, look for IELTS on computer.
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
I don’t think my Writing score is right. Who will check my test if I ask for it to be marked again?
Writing Academic & Academic UKVI Results EOR
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
A team of senior IELTS examiners will mark your test again. Of course, none of these examiners will have marked your original test. And they also don’t know your original test score. That ensures it’s a fair remark.
IELTS relies on qualified IELTS examiners. They are intensively trained and monitored to ensure consistency and quality of marking, no matter where in the world the test is taken. For example, a minimum of two examiners will mark your Writing test, and sometimes even up to three or four – we do this to ensure the highest level of accuracy and fairness possible
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
Answers
I don’t think my Writing score is right. Who will check my test if I ask for it to be marked again?
Writing Academic & Academic UKVI Results EOR
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
A team of senior IELTS examiners will mark your test again. Of course, none of these examiners will have marked your original test. And they also don’t know your original test score. That ensures it’s a fair remark.
IELTS relies on qualified IELTS examiners. They are intensively trained and monitored to ensure consistency and quality of marking, no matter where in the world the test is taken. For example, a minimum of two examiners will mark your Writing test, and sometimes even up to three or four – we do this to ensure the highest level of accuracy and fairness possible
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
I got a band 6 in IELTS Speaking. How can I get a band 7 next time?
Speaking Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
First thing is you need to find out where you need most improvements to take you one band up. A good place to start is to look at the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors. They are available to the public in full detail now. Look at all the descriptors for band 6 and band 7.
A good exercise is to record yourself answering some IELTS questions and then listen to your speaking. Do you speak rather comfortably and at length? Do you use less common words and idioms? Do you use complex grammar structures? And when you hear yourself do you feel you keep your rhythm when speaking at length? These are some of the features of band 7. If to the answer to any of the questions is no/maybe, then it means you need to focus on that area.
Read more
Jul 2, 2025
Answers
I got a band 6 in IELTS Speaking. How can I get a band 7 next time?
Speaking Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
First thing is you need to find out where you need most improvements to take you one band up. A good place to start is to look at the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors. They are available to the public in full detail now. Look at all the descriptors for band 6 and band 7.
A good exercise is to record yourself answering some IELTS questions and then listen to your speaking. Do you speak rather comfortably and at length? Do you use less common words and idioms? Do you use complex grammar structures? And when you hear yourself do you feel you keep your rhythm when speaking at length? These are some of the features of band 7. If to the answer to any of the questions is no/maybe, then it means you need to focus on that area.
Read more
Jul 2, 2025
I got a band 6 in IELTS Writing. How can I increase my score to 7?
Writing Academic & Academic UKVI Results Improving band score
Last answered by Rocco
Answers from experts
- Most recent
- Oldest
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
Have a look at the public band descriptors to get a good idea of the requirements of band 7 for each criteria. For example, your body paragraphs in Task 2 need one cental idea, you need to use a range of complex vocabulary and grammar accurately, use a range of connectors, etc.
Aug 7, 2025
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
A very common question as 7 is the band that can be critical for many. As a starting point I think it’s best to have a look at the IELTS Writing band descriptors. Try to have a quick read through and then only focus on the descriptors at band 6 and band 7. Read them closely. In each box in the table (for each criterion, e.g. Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, etc) there are a few lines. Read each line in band 7 and ask yourself did I do this in my test, or did I do what the lines in band 6 say? This helps you get a better picture of where you may have lost marks and where you can gain some. You can make your understanding even better by looking at official samples for band 6 and 7.
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
Answers
I got a band 6 in IELTS Writing. How can I increase my score to 7?
Writing Academic & Academic UKVI Results Improving band score
Last answered by Rocco
Answers from experts
- Most recent
- Oldest
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
Have a look at the public band descriptors to get a good idea of the requirements of band 7 for each criteria. For example, your body paragraphs in Task 2 need one cental idea, you need to use a range of complex vocabulary and grammar accurately, use a range of connectors, etc.
Read more
Aug 7, 2025
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
A very common question as 7 is the band that can be critical for many. As a starting point I think it’s best to have a look at the IELTS Writing band descriptors. Try to have a quick read through and then only focus on the descriptors at band 6 and band 7. Read them closely. In each box in the table (for each criterion, e.g. Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, etc) there are a few lines. Read each line in band 7 and ask yourself did I do this in my test, or did I do what the lines in band 6 say? This helps you get a better picture of where you may have lost marks and where you can gain some. You can make your understanding even better by looking at official samples for band 6 and 7.
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
I read in the IELTS marking criteria that ‘using less common items’ can help me get a higher band score. What are ‘less common items’?
Listening Life Skills (A1, A2 and B1) Results General information
Last answered by Rocco
Answers from experts
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
These are words or phrases that you do not hear so often, but carry the same meaning as words that are used all the time. E.g. 'obtain' can have the same meaning as 'got' but is used less often.
Jun 17, 2025
Answers
I read in the IELTS marking criteria that ‘using less common items’ can help me get a higher band score. What are ‘less common items’?
Listening Life Skills (A1, A2 and B1) Results General information
Last answered by Rocco
Answers from experts
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
These are words or phrases that you do not hear so often, but carry the same meaning as words that are used all the time. E.g. 'obtain' can have the same meaning as 'got' but is used less often.
Read more
Jun 17, 2025
I received an outcome of my remark within a few hours. Did someone look at my test?
Academic & Academic UKVI Results EOR
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Yes, we look at every single re-mark request. Even if your score did not change, IELTS will have re-marked your test. So, how come we can do this so quickly? We understand you want an outcome as soon as possible. We have a team of senior IELTS examiners around the world to re-mark your test. So, when you submit your remark request in the middle of the night in Canada, a Senior Examiner in Australia might start looking at your test straight away. And, each Senior Examiner only marks one section of your test which means they can mark different parts of your test at the same time. This process usually takes a few days, but sometimes it’s as quick as a couple of hours. Getting results very quickly is the same with IELTS on computer tests.
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
Answers
I received an outcome of my remark within a few hours. Did someone look at my test?
Academic & Academic UKVI Results EOR
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
Yes, we look at every single re-mark request. Even if your score did not change, IELTS will have re-marked your test. So, how come we can do this so quickly? We understand you want an outcome as soon as possible. We have a team of senior IELTS examiners around the world to re-mark your test. So, when you submit your remark request in the middle of the night in Canada, a Senior Examiner in Australia might start looking at your test straight away. And, each Senior Examiner only marks one section of your test which means they can mark different parts of your test at the same time. This process usually takes a few days, but sometimes it’s as quick as a couple of hours. Getting results very quickly is the same with IELTS on computer tests.
Read more
Feb 7, 2025
I spoke for less than 2 minutes in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test. How will this affect my band score?
Speaking Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
Not necessarily, as the speaking has 3 parts and your score shows how well you did the test overall and not just in one part. If you give short answers in all parts of the test, then there is an issue and you may not get a very high score
Jun 30, 2025
Answers
I spoke for less than 2 minutes in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test. How will this affect my band score?
Speaking Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Reza
Answers from experts
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
Not necessarily, as the speaking has 3 parts and your score shows how well you did the test overall and not just in one part. If you give short answers in all parts of the test, then there is an issue and you may not get a very high score
Read more
Jun 30, 2025
I struggle with ‘labelling a map’ questions in the IELTS Listening test. Do you have any advice?
Listening Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Rocco
Answers from experts
- Most recent
- Oldest
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
When previewing the question, have a look at the options that are near each other. Think about how they are similar and different. E.g. both option A and option B appear before the river, but option A is opposite the school and option B is next to the school.
Jun 17, 2025
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
These question types can be challenging because you have to think about where you are on the map while you listen. I’d recommend reviewing vocabulary related to location and giving directions e.g. take the second street on the right, it’s on the corner in front of the pharmacy etc. Become familiar with compass directions in English (north, northeast, east, southeast etc) to orientate yourself during the recording.
Read more
May 13, 2025
Answers
I struggle with ‘labelling a map’ questions in the IELTS Listening test. Do you have any advice?
Listening Academic & Academic UKVI Results General information
Last answered by Rocco
Answers from experts
- Most recent
- Oldest
Rocco Nigro
IELTS Expert
When previewing the question, have a look at the options that are near each other. Think about how they are similar and different. E.g. both option A and option B appear before the river, but option A is opposite the school and option B is next to the school.
Read more
Jun 17, 2025
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
These question types can be challenging because you have to think about where you are on the map while you listen. I’d recommend reviewing vocabulary related to location and giving directions e.g. take the second street on the right, it’s on the corner in front of the pharmacy etc. Become familiar with compass directions in English (north, northeast, east, southeast etc) to orientate yourself during the recording.
Read more
May 13, 2025
I think my Reading score should have been higher. How can I get my IELTS test results checked again?
Reading Academic & Academic UKVI Results EOR
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
If you feel that your performance on the day of your test does not reflect the score you received, you can ask us to remark your test. It is part of our commitment to be fair and transparent. When you request a remark (IELTS calls this an Enquiry on Result, or EOR), a Senior Examiner will take another look at your test. You can ask us to remark your Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. Or all of them. The fee is the same whether you ask for one skill to be remarked, or all of them. You’ll have to pay a fee to get your test remarked but if your score goes up, we will refund you that fee in full.
Read more
Feb 14, 2025
Answers
I think my Reading score should have been higher. How can I get my IELTS test results checked again?
Reading Academic & Academic UKVI Results EOR
Last answered by Vincent
Answers from experts
Vincent Blokker
IELTS Expert
If you feel that your performance on the day of your test does not reflect the score you received, you can ask us to remark your test. It is part of our commitment to be fair and transparent. When you request a remark (IELTS calls this an Enquiry on Result, or EOR), a Senior Examiner will take another look at your test. You can ask us to remark your Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. Or all of them. The fee is the same whether you ask for one skill to be remarked, or all of them. You’ll have to pay a fee to get your test remarked but if your score goes up, we will refund you that fee in full.
Read more
Feb 14, 2025
I took IELTS Online from home. Can I do IELTS One Skill Retake?
Listening General Training & General Training UKVI Results One skill retake
Last answered by Linda
Answers from experts
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Unfortunately, no. IELTS One Skill Retake is only available if you took your full IELTS test on a computer in an eligible test centre.
May 27, 2025
Answers
I took IELTS Online from home. Can I do IELTS One Skill Retake?
Listening General Training & General Training UKVI Results One skill retake
Last answered by Linda
Answers from experts
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Unfortunately, no. IELTS One Skill Retake is only available if you took your full IELTS test on a computer in an eligible test centre.
Read more
May 27, 2025
Trending
Fahad Rafique
Canada
16 years
Experience
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
Trending
Jess Christie
Australia
8 years
Experience
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
Trending
Lewis Crannitch
New Zealand
2 years
Experience
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
Trending
Linda Alley
Australia
11 years
Experience
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
Trending
Reza Tasviri
Australia
18 years
Experience
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
Trending
Rocco Nigro
Australia
26 years
Experience
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
Trending
Vincent Blokker
Australia
11 years
Experience
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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Last answered by Reza