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 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 Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
Your Speaking test will often be on the same day as your Listening/Reading/Writing test, but not always. IELTS Speaking tests can be done anywhere from 7 days prior or 7 days after the test. The Speaking schedule will depend on the test centre you book with. When you book your test it will give you a selection of available Speaking test times and you can pick the one you want.

Read more

Feb 5, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
It's important to try and get to your test venue 30 minutes before your test. This will give you enough time to get comfortable, use the bathroom if you need to, and relax before your test starts. However, sometimes unexpected things happen that mean you might be late for the exam. If the test has already started you will not be allowed to enter the test room and you will not be able to sit the test that day. If you provide the test centre with evidence as to why you were not able to make it on time (eg. A car accident, public transport breakdown), then the test centre may offer you a transfer or a refund. It is important that you contact your test centre as soon as possible.

Read more

Feb 5, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Jess

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Jess Christie
IELTS Expert
Whilst it can seem odd when the examiner interrupts you, there are many reasons why this occurs. The main reason that examiners interrupt test takers is due to limited time. Within the 12-15 min, the examiner must cover a certain number of different topics. This is to give you a chance to talk about different things. The examiner also interrupts to keep the test taker on track and keep the interview flowing. The examiner needs to assess you on different topics and skills to gain a complete assessment of your English skills so will direct the conversation in the necessary path.

Read more

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

Last answered by Vincent

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
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
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Reza Tasviri
IELTS Expert
The IELTS partners recommend that IELTS results are valid for two years. However, individual organisations may set their own validity period. It’s best to check this with the organisation that you’re applying to.
Feb 7, 2025
icon1
iconShare
iconLast updated on Feb 7, 2025

Last answered by Reza

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
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
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
Unfortunately, not. IELTS Online is currently only available for IELTS Academic and is not accepted for migration purposes. If you want to take IELTS General Training, you’ll need to sit your test in a test centre.
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 Linda

person
Answers from experts
personverified-icon
Linda Alley
IELTS Expert
Absolutely. Both tests are done on a computer, but you take IELTS Online from your home. On the other hand, you take IELTS on Computer in an IELTS test centre. The test format and scoring are the same for both tests. You’ll take the Speaking test one-on-one with an accredited IELTS examiner. If you take IELTS Online, you’ll do this by video call instead of in a private room at the test centre. If you want to book an IELTS Online test, make sure your academic institution will accept it. If you need to take IELTS for visa or migration purposes, you should choose IELTS on computer or IELTS on paper at a test centre instead. Hope this helps!

Read more

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