What should I bring on my test day?

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 pens and paper. You must leave all of your personal belongings outside the examination room in a secure area or locker. Mobile phones, pagers and smartwatches must be switched off and left with your personal belongings. If you keep mobile phones or electronic devices with you, you will be disqualified.

What order will I complete the IELTS test in?

If you take IELTS on Computer, you will do the tests in the following order on the same day: Listening, Reading and Writing, with the Speaking test before or after this test session.

What accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?

As IELTS is an international test, a variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used in both the General Training and Academic tests.

Can I make notes during the IELTS on computer test?

Yes. IELTS on computer provides a note-taking and highlight function. You can try these functions in the familiarisation tests here. You can also write notes on the login details sheet you receive at the beginning of the test.

Can I write my answers in capital letters?

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.

How can I improve my Writing band score?

Read the assessment criteria used for both Academic and General Training Writing tests carefully before your test day. The examiner will assess your writing based on four criteria for Task 1 and Task 2. Remember that Writing Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1. You can improve your Writing band score by practising. Our news and articles page has extensive tips and advice to help you prepare and improve your English-language skills.

What happens in the IELTS Speaking test?

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.

What to expect on IELTS test day

As your test day approaches, it’s important to know what to expect before, during and after you take your IELTS test.

Make sure you arrive early and have all the necessary documents with you as the check-in process may vary between test venues. After you have checked-in, you will be able to lock away your personal belongings before you will be guided to your seat by a test invigilator. After this point you won’t be able to talk to fellow test-takers.

Once the test begins, keep track of time so you have enough time to complete each part of the test. If you have any questions, you can raise your hand to get the attention of an invigilator. Once the test concludes, you can leave the test room and collect your belongings.

Your provisional test results will be available online 3 to 5 days after taking IELTS on a computer or 13 days after sitting a paper-based test. Your official Test Report Form (TRF) can be picked up from the test venue or mailed to you.