IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. The whole purpose of the IELTS examination is to measure your ability to communicate in English. You be will tested across the four major disciplines of listening, reading, writing and speaking. If you plan to study or work in an English speaking country it is more than likely you will be need have passed the IELTS test. We’ve brought together 20 of the most common questions about the IELTS examination.
1. What can I take to the IELTS test?
You are only allowed to take your pens, pencils and erasers into the examination room. It’s a good idea to write your answers in pencil as you will not be allowed to use correction fluid either. It’s a good idea to leave any valuable items at home, such as your mobile phone, as you will have to leave your belongs in the cloakroom outside the examination room. Remember you can’t take your mobile phone with you – it must be switched off and not on your person. If you are caught with a mobile phone during the examination you will be removed and disqualified.
2. How long does the IELTS test take to complete?
When you take your IELTS examination you will sit the listening, reading and writing modules after one another and in that order. There will be no break between the examinations, so be sure to take some water with you and go to the toilet before you begin. You will take your speaking module within 7 days after your first IELTS examination date.
3. Will I have to deal with difficult accents during my IELTS test?
As the IELTS examination is an international one the questions reflect its international nature. You will therefore hear a wide variety of English accents during the listening and speaking modules of the IELTS examination.
4. Will I have enough time during the IELTS listening test?
Yes you definitely will. At the beginning of your IELTS listening examination you will get to hear a sample question. This will allow you to get a feel for the timings and pauses between questions. The paper is split into 4 sections and you will hear and complete each section in turn. It will take you 30 minutes to finish all 4 sections and you will be expected to write your answers down as you listen. The final 10 minutes of the examination is to allow students to transfer their answers to their answer books.
5. Do I get time to transfer my answers in the IELTS reading test too?
Unfortunately you do not get any time to transfer your answers during the IELTS reading test. The test lasts for one hour and you are required to write all answers directly onto your answer sheet.
6. Can I answer the IELTS listening and reading tests in pen?
No, you can not. You must mark your answers in pencil. This is because the special machine that is used to mark your examination can not red pen. Do not, I repeat do not use pen unless you want to feel very embarrassed!
7. Do I have to submit any notes I make?
No. It’s a great exam tip to make some notes on the IELTS examination question sheet as you prepare your answers. You will not be required to hand the question sheet in along with your answer booklet so the examiner will not see your notes.
8. What is the IELTS speaking test like?
You will meet for a one-to-one interview with an IELTS certified examiner. The interview will probably last around 15 minutes and will also be recorded. The aim of the interview is to recreate common everyday situations so expect to have to talk about a wide range of things.
9. What should I take to my IELTS speaking test?
You will need to take along the same documents that you used when you first registered for the IELTS examination. Do remember to bring the exact same identification as it will be checked against the details you provided on your original application form. Have these documents handy when you arrive at the IELTS examination centre as they will need to be checked by both the administrator and the examiner too.
10. Help, I’ve lost my Test Report Form!
Don’t worry these things happen. It’s not the end of the world as long as you took your test within the last two years. If you are within the two year cutoff period, you can apply to the IELTS examination centre where you took your test and they will send you 5 copies of your Test Report Form completely free.
11. When will I get my IELTS test results?
You should receive your results 13 days after your speaking examination. Allow some time for the post and if you haven’t received your IELTS examination results after 15 days, contact your IELTS examination centre so they can arrange a new copy for you.
12. How soon can I re-sit the IELTS test?
There is limit to how many or when you take your IELTS test. You are only limited by the availability at your local IETLS examination centre. You could theoretically fail a test today and sit another on immediately tomorrow. However, if you’ve already studied for the IELTS examination you will know that to increase your score, you will have to undertake further study; repeated attempts in a short space of time will not see your score increase significantly.
13. What kind of provisions are made for disabled students?
IETLS examination centres will do everything they can to accommodate any disabled students wishing to sit the test. Staff will be available during your test to ensure you understand the questions and tasks that form the examination as well as understand how to provide your answers. It goes without saying that everyone will be treated and assessed fairly and objectively. If you do have any special needs you should contact your local IELTS test centre and tell them of your needs when applying so adequate arrangements can be made.
14. Help! I missed my IETLS test but it wasn’t my fault, honest!
Should you miss your test for any reason out of your control you should contact your IELTS examination centre as soon as possible. At their discretion they may offer you another test at the next available opportunity.
15. Can I cancel or postpone my IELTS test?
Yes you can cancel or postpone your IELTS examination date. You can do this free of charge if you contact your IETLS examination centre at least 5 weeks before your examination. If you need to cancel or postpone your IETLS test within 5 weeks of your allocated date, you will be required to pay the full fee. This may be waived only on medical grounds. You will have to submit appropriate medical evidence should you need to cancel or postpone your IETLS examination within the 5 week period.
16. What happens if I miss my exam without telling anyone?
If you are not present at your IELTS examination and you haven’t made prior arrangements to postpone your test, you will be marked as absent. You will also not be permitted to take the IELTS speaking examination as there would be no point. You will also lose the full test fee which you paid. If you missed your test because of medical reasons, you can receive a refund provided you submit a medical certificate within 5 days of your examination. There will be an administrative charge applied by your local IELTS test centre in processing your refund.
17. What can I do if I have a complaint about my IELTS test results?
You can appeal your examination results if you wish and request an enquiry into the test procedures at your local IELTS test centre. You will have to pay to challenge your result which will be refunded if your IETLS test score changes.
18. How can I get copies of my IELTS test results?
Up to 1 month after your IELTS examination, you can get 1 personal copy of the Test Report Form. You can also request up to a maximum of 5 extra copies free. Arrangements can even be made for your IELTS examination certificates to be sent to universities you are applying to. After this, you may be required to pay a small handling charge for requesting more copies of your IELTS test results.
19. Where can I take the IELTS test?
See our post Update the Next IELTS test dates for details of upcoming IELTS examination dates at the UK’s 37 IELTS examination centres.
20. When can I take the IETS test?
Normally there are 4 sessions per month for you to take your IELTS test. Contact your local IETLS examination centre for more details.
The IELTS examination is available to take in two formats – Academic and General Training. FInd out more about the IELTS examination.
I got same problem, I am in Australia.I just find out the speaking test is a week before the writing test and i receive the letter very late it was 4 days before the speaking test date so i just send an email to the test center and i hope they will help me to change my speaking test .My test is on 8th,October.
How did you solve your problem? Please answer me~~
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hello,
I have a very serious problem, I missed my speaking test just because of date confusion, in the letter it was written 1/8/2011 and i thought it as 8 of August and today when I saw the letter again..i am like shocked it was 1 august please suggest…what shall i do..?
I am already nervous, i tried to call the british council office and the lines are closed so I sent them email..am i allowed to take the speaking test?
please let me know
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hi,we got same problem….how is your test? did you take another speaking test?
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pls tell me how to apply for ielts test offline
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One of my friend lost her IELT certificate. Is there anyway to get it back?
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I think this is a great post. One thing that I find the most helpful is number five. Sometimes when I write, I just let the flow of the words and information come out so much that I loose the purpose.
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Thank you, this is very helpful.
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Glad to have helped, Emmanuel.
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Blogging it
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Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out. This is good…thanks for sharing
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Thanks Alan, we agree too and it’s something that we’re working on at the moment. We’ve used video before – like in this Tti School of English video review – and we’re currently planning to use new media more, so watch this space!
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Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
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Thank you so much, there aren’t enough posts on this… keep up the good work
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I would like to become an I.E.L.T.S EXAMINER
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what is the last date of registration for 8th august IELTS test and how to register.
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Good site, great post.
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pl tell me the requirements for an ielts examiner
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Hi Ashish
Thanks for your comment. I assume you’re asking about the requirements to become an IELTS examiner? If so, the following maybe useful.
IELTS examiners are qualified, experienced English language specialists. The Speaking and Writing Modules of the IELTS test are assessed by certificated examiners. IELTS examiners are required to re-certificate every two years and their performance is closely monitored to ensure global standards are maintained.
It is the responsibility of each IELTS test centre to recruit and train a pool of examiners. Centres recruit on a needs basis and nominate examiners who meet the following requirements:
– applicants must be native speaker (or a non-native speaker of an overall IELTS Band 9 – with a 9 in both Speaking and Writing modules);
– applicants must have a relevant TEFL qualification eg CELTS/DELTA; and
– applicants must have at least three years relevant teaching experience.
The applications of the nominated examiners have to be approved by a qualified examiner trainer. After approval the examiner undergoes face-to-face training, conducted by an accredited IELTS trainer and is required to do the certification assessment.
If you’re looking for something more along the lines of what are examiners looking for and what do they require of candidates, then the following maybe useful.
IELTS Writing tips
It is better to write in regular, not very sophisticated English, than to use phrases or structures you don’t fully understand.
If you need Band 6 – no need for complex sentence structure. If your goal is Band 7 – then show advanced sentence structure, language and vocabulary.
Don’t write more than 260-265 words in IELTS Writing 2 task. Why? Not because you will get lower mark, but because of these 2 reasons:
1) It takes more time
2) More words = more mistakes
If you are told to cover specific points in your essay/letter – cover every point, examiners actually count them.
Don’t overuse connecting words (like However, Furthermore, Moreover, etc) – examiners are watching for you to do that.
IELTS Speaking – interview tips
Speak until they stop you, don’t just answer the question and stop. Display you best English. Behave as if it was a driving test – keep going straight until told to turn right, left or park.
It is quite possible that you have to speak about something you have never heard of, or have no opinion of. If you don’t know the subject – tell the examiner immediately, so he could ask you another question. If you don’t tell him and start trying to speak, he might think that it is not a knowledge problem, but a language problem.
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