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IELTS FAQS for Test Takers

IELTS | Test Takers - About the IELTS test

What is IELTS?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 1.4 million tests

globally, IELTS is the worlds most popular English testing system.

Which organisations accept IELTS?

IELTS is accepted by more than !""" organisations worldwide. These include uni#ersities, immigration departments, go#ernment agencies,

professional bodies and multinational companies. To search for a recognising institution, use the IELTS Global Recognition System.

Who owns IELTS and who writes the test?

IELTS is $ointly owned by %ritish Council, I&'( IELTS )ustralia and the *ni#ersity of Cambridge ES+L Eaminations -Cambridge ES+L and

offered through more than 500 locationsin o#er 1/" countries. International teams of writers contribute to IELTS test materials. +ngoing

research ensures that IELTS remains fair and unbiased. Test writers from different English0speaing countries de#elop IELTS content so it

reflects real0life situations.

Why are there two versions o the test?

IELTS has two #ersions 2 !cademic and General Training. The )cademic test is for those who want to study at a tertiary le#el in an English0

speaing country. The 3eneral Training test is for those who want to do wor eperience or training programs, secondary school or migrate to

an English0speaing country. )ll candidates tae the same Listening and Speaing tests but different eading and 5riting tests.

Which version sho"ld I do?

ead the eplanation of the!cademic and General Trainingtests, then contact the organisation or institution to which you are applying to

find out what it re6uires. 7ote that you must now which #ersion to tae when you complete the IELTS !pplication #orm-'&8, 9:/;%.

What is the test ormat and how long will it ta$e?

IELTS has four parts 2 Listening -/" minutes, eading -!" minutes, 5riting -!" minutes and Speaing -11214 minutes. The total test time

is 9 hours and 4< minutes. The Listening, eading and 5riting tests are done in one sitting. The Speaing test may be on the same day or up

to se#en days before or after the other tests. #ind o"t more and see a test sample.

%ow do I practice and prepare or my test?The +fficial IELTS 'ractice =aterials eplains the test format in detail and gi#es you practice tests and answers. >ou can order your +fficial

IELTS 'ractice =aterials in one of three ways(

place an online order rom IELTS !"stralia-?LS, 1.!=%

place an online order rom IELTS in the &'-?LS, 1.!=%

throughyo"r local test centre

What help is available or disabled candidates?

Test centres mae e#ery effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and

ob$ecti#ely. If you ha#e a special need, tal to your local testcentrewhen registering. Centres may need three months to organise

arrangements. #ind o"t more.

IELTS | Test Takers - Registering for the test

Where can I ta$e IELTS?

>ou can tae IELTS in o#er

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To apply for an IELTS test you will need to pro#ide two identical passport0siAed colour photographs that are no more than si months old. >ou

will need to sign the bac of each photo. >ou must not wear glasses in your application photographs.

What i I need to postpone or cancel my application?

If you postpone or cancel your application more than < wees before the test date, you will recei#e a refund minus an administration charge.

If you postpone or cancel within 5 wee$s o the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you ha#e a medical reason. If you pro#ide a

medical certificate within < days of the test date, you will recei#e a refund minus the local administrati#e cost.

What i I am absent or sic$ on the test day?

If you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. Bowe#er, if you pro#ide a medical certificate within < days of

the test date, you will recei#e a refund minus the local administrati#e cost.

IELTS | Test Takers - Sitting the test

Is the IELTS test completed in one day?

The Listening, eading and 5riting components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no brea. &epending

on the test centre, the Speaing test may be taen up to : days either before or after the test date.

What i I am delayed by circ"mstances beyond my control )eg a transport stri$e*?

The test centre may offer you a test on the net a#ailable test date.

What can I bring into the e(amination room?

+nly pens, pencils and erasers. >ou must bring the passportnational identity card you used on the IELTS )pplication 8orm to the test.

>ou must lea#e e#erything else outside the eamination room. =obile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal

belongings in the area designated by the super#isor. If you do not switch off your phonepager or eep it on you, you will be dis6ualified. #ind

o"t more abo"t test day.

Which part do I ta$e irst?

>ou do the Listening test first following by the eading and 5riting components of the test. &epending on the test centre, the Speaing test

may be taen up to : days either before or after the test date.

What $inds o accents can be heard in the Listening and Spea$ing tests?

)s IELTS is an international test, a #ariety of English accents are used in both of these tests.

+oes the Listening tape provide instr"ctions and pa"ses?

>es. )t the beginning, you hear instructions and a sample 6uestion. Then you read section 1 6uestions, listen to section 1 and answer the

6uestions.

The same procedure follows for sections 9, / and 4.

In the final 1" minutes, you transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.

Is there a similar period o ,0 min"tes in the Reading test to transer answer?

7o. The eading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

-an I "se a pen or the Listening and Reading tests?

7o. >ou must do it in pencil. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot read pen.

-an I ma$e notes on the Listening and Reading ."estion papers?

>es. The IELTS Eaminer will not see your 6uestion paper.

What is the Spea$ing test?

The Speaing test is a con#ersation with a certified IELTS Eaminer. The Speaing test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on an

audiocassette or a digital recorder. See a sample o the Spea$ing test.

What do I need or the Spea$ing test?

>ou must bring the same identification documents you supplied on your IELTS )pplication 8orm and used for the rest of the test. >our I& will

be checed before you enter the inter#iew room.

IELTS | Test Takers - Test results

%ow are the tests mar$ed?

IELTS uses a D0band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. >ou recei#e indi#idual band scores for

Listening, eading, 5riting and Speaing and an +#erall %and Score on a band scale from one to nine. #ind o"t more abo"t how IELTS is

mar$ed.

Who sets the /pass mar$ or the IELTS test?

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Scores are graded on the D0band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own le#el of

IELTS scores to meet its indi#idual re6uirements. To find out more, search the IELTS Global Recognition Systemfor specific organisations

and scores.

When will I receive my test res"lts?

>our Test eport 8orm will be posted to you 1/ days after your test date. )ll test centres will post your Test eport 8orm to you. ;eep your

Test eport 8orm in a secure place as you only recei#e one copy. Some test centres pro#ide S=S alerts and an online results ser#ice.

-ontact yo"r local test centreto ind o"t more1

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/taking_the_test/taking_the_test.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/taking_the_test/taking_the_test.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/sample_test_materials/speaking_sample.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/getting_my_results/my_test_score.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/getting_my_results/my_test_score.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/getting_my_results/my_test_score.aspxhttp://bandscore.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/taking_the_test/taking_the_test.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/taking_the_test/taking_the_test.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/sample_test_materials/speaking_sample.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/getting_my_results/my_test_score.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/getting_my_results/my_test_score.aspxhttp://bandscore.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspx

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What i I lose my Test Report #orm?

Test eport 8orms are #alid for two years. Copies cannot be sent to candidates but IELTS will forward a Test eport 8orm to your rele#ant

institution or embassy. *p to fi#e copies will be sent free of charge. )dditional copies will incur a small administration charge. Tal to your test

centrefor further details.

%ow can I order more Test Report #orms i my test centre has closed since I too$ the test?

If the test centre where you too your test has closed we can still send a copy of your Test eport 8orm to any ecei#ing +rganisation for the

first two years after your test. If you ha#e not done so, please chec under the IELTS Worldwide Searchto mae sure that your centre hasbeen closed.

To re6uest a Test eport 8orm you will need to(

complete an!pplication or additional TR#s )rom closed centres* orm-'&8, ou can apply for an En6uiry on esults procedure at your test centre within si wees of the test date. >ou must pay an en6uiry fee, which is

fully refunded if your band score changes. 7ote that IELTS Eaminers and marers follow strict assessment guidelines and are regularly

monitored. The IELTS testing process has the highest 6uality control procedures.

http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/pdf/e-Additional%20TRF%20request%20from%20closed%20centres.pdfhttp://www.ielts.org/pdf/e-Additional%20TRF%20request%20from%20closed%20centres.pdfhttp://www.ielts.org/pdf/e-Additional%20TRF%20request%20from%20closed%20centres.pdfhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/how_do_i_prepare.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search.aspxhttp://www.ielts.org/pdf/e-Additional%20TRF%20request%20from%20closed%20centres.pdfhttp://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/how_do_i_prepare.aspx