Question 1

How do I book my IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

Booking your IELTS test is easy. Locate your closest IELTS Test Centre here. Once you find an IELTS Test Centre and a test date that suits you, follow the steps to book your test.

Question 2

How do I postpone or cancel my IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

Contact the test centre where you booked your test if you need to postpone or cancel.
If you cancel or postpone your test more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee.
If you cancel or postpone your test within 5 weeks of your test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a serious medical reason for needing to cancel or postpone it.
If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of your test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.

Question 3

Can I do all parts of the IELTS test on computer?

Accepted Answer

If you take an IELTS on Computer test, the Reading, Writing and Listening parts of the IELTS test are completed on a computer, but the Speaking test is completed face-to-face with an IELTS examiner.

Question 4

Can I do all parts of the test on the same day?

Accepted Answer

The Listening, Reading, and Writing parts of the test are completed immediately after each other on the same day. In some test centres, you will sit the Speaking test on the same day, or up to 7 days before or after your test date.

If you take IELTS on computer, the Speaking test will be taken on the same day, either before, or after the other three parts of the test.

Question 5

What are the test terms and conditions?

Accepted Answer

Test rules and guidelines are found on the Notice to Candidates page on the IELTS Application Form. You should also read the Information for Candidates booklet carefully so that you understand the test format and what to expect on test day.

Question 6

What should I bring on my test day?

Accepted Answer

You must bring the same passport or national identity card that you used to book your IELTS test. If you do an IELTS on computer test, the centre will provide you with pencils and paper.
You must leave all of your personal belongings outside the examination room in a secure area or locker. Mobile phones, pagers and smart watches must be switched off and left with your personal belongings.
If you keep mobile phones or electronic devices with you, you will be disqualified.

Question 7

What happens in the IELTS Speaking test?

Accepted Answer

The Speaking test is a discussion with a highly qualified IELTS examiner who assesses your ability to talk about a range of topics. The Speaking test has three parts and is recorded. A description of the three parts of the interview is found in the Information for Candidates booklet.

Question 8

What do I need to bring to my Speaking test?

Accepted Answer

You must bring the same passport or national identity card that you used to book your IELTS test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room and again during the interview.

Question 9

Can I write my answers in capital letters?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use all capital letters in the IELTS Reading and Listening sections. If you use capital letters in the Writing section, make sure that your punctuation is correct and the examiner can see where you start and finish sentences.

Question 10

How is my IELTS test marked?

Accepted Answer

IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. You receive individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and an Overall Band Score on a band scale from one to nine.
The Speaking and Writing tests are marked by certificated IELTS examiners using the IELTS Speaking and Writing assessment criteria. Check out our how IELTS is marked page for more information on this.

Question 11

Do I have to write in pencil for the IELTS on Paper test?

Accepted Answer

Pencil is recommended for the IELTS Listening, Reading, and Writing tests. This is because tests are scanned and work best with pencil. It also means that you can easily erase and rewrite words. If you forget to bring a pencil, the test centre will provide one for you.

Question 12

If I take IELTS on paper, can I write notes in the question booklets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are encouraged to write notes on the question booklets. IELTS examiners do not have access to your question booklets.

Question 13

What is the 'pass mark' for the IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

In the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, your results are given as a pass or fail mark.
There is no pass or fail in IELTS Academic or General Training test. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements.

Question 14

When will I receive my test results?

Accepted Answer

If you take IELTS on computer, your Test Report Form (TRF) will be posted typically within 1 to 5 days after your test date.
You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), or United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – in this case, you can receive two. Some test centres provide SMS alerts and you can preview your results online. Contact your local test centre to find out more.

Question 15

How many Test Report Forms (TRFs) will I receive?

Accepted Answer

You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form – unless you are applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – in this case, you can receive two.
Up to 5 copies of your TRF will be posted to the relevant institution(s) you have listed on your IELTS application form. Regular postage is free of charge. Charges for courier services and/or overseas postage will be passed on to you.
Additional TRFs beyond these five can be requested from the test centre which issued the TRF. Please note, an administration fee may be charged for additional TRFs. If you have lost your TRF, please contact the test centre which issued your TRF.

Question 16

Can I order more Test Report Forms if my test centre has closed?

Accepted Answer

You can order more Test Report Forms within two years of sitting your IELTS Test. You can request up to 5 Test Report Forms from the test centre where you sat your IELTS Test. These copies won't be sent to you, but can be sent to universities, embassies, consulates and etc. on your behalf. You will only receive 1 personal copy of your Test Report Form.
If the test centre where you took your test has closed we can still send a copy of your Test Report Form to any receiving organisation for the first two years after your test. If you have not done so, please check with a test centre search to make sure that your centre has been closed.
To request a Test Report Form you will need to complete an application form for additional Test Report Forms. It is very important that you complete your family and given names exactly as they appear on your identification document. Submit the form by clicking the 'Submit' button at the end of the form. Include a scanned copy of the passport or identification document that you used when you sat the test (this is done after you click the submit button on the application form).

Question 17

Should I apply for an EOR, or just wait to re-sit my test?

Accepted Answer

If you feel confident that you have done better than your score shows, applying for an EOR is one option for you.  This is marked by a senior examiner who marks it independently from your first examiner.  After this second assessment, your score either stays the same or is higher, depending on the senior examiner’s rating.

Question 18

What can I do if I am not happy with my test results?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for a review of your band scores (called an Enquiry on Results) at your test centre within six weeks of the test date.
You must pay an enquiry fee, which is fully refunded if your band score changes. If your band score changes, you will be issued a new Test Report Form (TRF).

Question 19

How to Complain about the IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

If your IELTS experience on the test date does not turn out the way you expected, the first step is to speak with IELTS invigilators at the test centre immediately after you finish the test. The test centre accepts your complaint related to the test on your test date only, and any complaint you make after this would not be considered.

How to Complain about the IELTS test· Complaint Form must be submitted on the test day
· Ask our invigilators for the Complaint Form
· Submit a written Complaint Form to the Test Day Supervisor with details.
· IELTS Test Administrator will investigate and resolve the issue to the satisfaction of IDP
· Result cannot be issued until the complaint is resolved.

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IELTS FAQ