Imagine this: you've gotten a fantastic job opportunity or an offer to the college of your dreams overseas, but it starts in a few weeks. You find that you need an IELTS score to complete your visa application. In such a situation, every day counts, and receiving your IELTS results quickly can make all the difference.
Thus, pre-planning is crucial to ensure you receive your IELTS results on time and meet those critical application windows. To help you plan effectively, we’ll break down the IELTS test timeline so you know what to expect throughout your test journey. We’ll also touch on how the IELTS on Computer option can significantly expedite the process, getting you those results faster than ever.
Registration and IELTS test booking
To ensure you have your IELTS results when you need them, it's essential to check available test dates and book your test well in advance. This is especially important if you have upcoming deadlines for visa applications or university admissions.
The good news is that with a wide range of IELTS test dates available, particularly for IELTS on Computer, you can book and take the test on shorter notice or further in advance, depending on your needs and preferences.
The registration and booking process is straightforward. First, you'll need to choose the correct IELTS test type based on your purpose for taking the test. Here are some of the standard options:
IELTS Academic: If you’re a student applying for undergraduate or postgraduate college overseas, the Academic test may be required as it’s designed to assess whether you’re ready and able to use English as a medium of study. For greater flexibility, IELTS Online is one way you can take a fully online Academic test from wherever you are (in select regions only).
IELTS General Training: If you’re looking to live and work abroad in an English-speaking country, the General Training test can assess your proficiency, confidence and comfort when communicating in English in daily situations.
IELTS for UKVI: This test is accepted by the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof of English proficiency for your visa applications. If you wish to live, work, study, or migrate to the UK, this is the test for you.
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1: Also applicable for those who need a UK visa, this is the test you should take if you’re applying based on the criteria of being a ‘family, spouse, or partner’. It assesses your listening and speaking skills and generally lasts between 16 to 18 minutes.
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1: If you want to apply for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship in the UK, you will need to take the Life Skills B1 test. Like the Life Skills A1 test, this also evaluates your listening and speaking skills. However, it has a slightly longer duration (22 minutes) as it involves a more complex conversation with the examiner.
Once you’ve decided on which test to take, you can book your test online or visit an IDP branch to make an offline booking. Note that the IELTS test centres available will also depend on your chosen test format (paper or computer). During registration, you'll need to provide a valid form of identification and payment for the test fee.
As the entire registration and booking process typically takes no more than a few days, you’re likely to secure your test date relatively quickly.
Preparation for the IELTS test
While you wait for your test day to arrive, use the time to get yourself ready and confident for the test. Rigorous preparation is vital for achieving your desired IELTS results.
The time you dedicate to preparation will depend on your English proficiency level and familiarity with the various test sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). A few weeks of review might be sufficient if you’re confident in the language.
However, if you feel that you could benefit from more dedicated study, there are several ways to go about it. For example, reading classic English literature, listening to podcasts, and watching English-language films can help to immerse you in the language and develop familiarity.
You can also work on questions from a practice test in a timed setting to get accustomed to the IELTS test format. This tactic helps you to identify and address areas for improvement. To get you started, IDP offers a wealth of resources, such as IELTS preparation courses and IELTS free online test, to help you prepare effectively and confidently.
On the IELTS test day
You'll want minimal stressors on the test day, so knowing the logistics in advance is prudent. Here are some logistical considerations about the IELTS test that you should know:
Duration: Depending on the test type you take, it can be as short as 20 minutes (applies only to IELTS for UKVI Life Skills) or 2 hours and 45 minutes for most test takers booking the IELTS Academic test or IELTS General Training
Scheduling: The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of the IELTS test are done in one sitting, with no breaks in between. Depending on the test centre and date, the Speaking section may be scheduled on the same or a different day.
Sequence: If your IELTS Speaking test falls on the same day as the other three sections, there may be a short break between the two.
By checking your test schedule in advance, you can avoid any surprises on the day and focus on putting all your preparations to good use.
Receiving your IELTS results
After the test, you can expect to receive your IELTS results within the following timeframes, depending on your selected test mode:
IELTS on Computer: Most results delivered typically within two days*. This includes IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) test results.
IELTS on Paper: 13 days
IELTS Online (select countries only): Six to eight days
IELTS on Paper for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): Up to 13 days
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills: Up to seven days
Do you feel like you stumbled in just one of the four skills, or need to improve your IELTS score for your study abroad application? IELTS One Skill Retake gives you a second shot at hitting your goals the way you intended: redoing any one section without the pressure of taking the full test again.
If you'd like to have your scores reviewed with a chance at increasing your overall performance, you can request an Enquiry on Results (EOR) within six weeks of the date shown on your Test Report Form (TRF). You can choose to have either the whole test or any of the four sections remarked, such as IELTS Writing or Speaking.
To request an EOR, you will need to submit a Remark Request Form and pay a fee. An experienced senior IELTS examiner will then complete your Writing and Speaking Enquiry on Results (EOR) re-marking. If the remarked result differs from the original, you will receive a new TRF and a full refund of the EOR fee.
Fast-track your results with IELTS on Computer
If you’re moving abroad, getting your IELTS results quickly can be a significant advantage. Whether you're facing a tight university admissions deadline or making an urgent visa application, IELTS on Computer offers a faster alternative.
The computer -based test takes place at an official IELTS test centre, where you’ll complete the Reading, Writing, and Listening assessments digitally. The Speaking test retains its face-to-face format, where you’ll converse with a trained IELTS examiner. This option is available for the General Training, Academic, UKVI, and UKVI Life Skills tests.
Instead of waiting for your official IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) to come in the post, you can easily view and download your IELTS on Computer results (eTRF) on the online portal once it is ready, typically within two days (or even within one day depending on your country of residence).
Embark on your IELTS journey with IDP
Careful planning and preparation are essential for a successful IELTS experience. Once you’ve found your footing in the IELTS timeline and considered your individual needs and deadlines, take the steps above to ensure you receive your results on time. IDP's IELTS preparation hub is the starting point e to help you achieve your desired scores, so you can thrive in your new life.
Check our IELTS test schedule and book your test with us today to begin your next overseas chapter.