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IELTS TEST TAKERS

IELTS | Test Takers - Who accepts IELTS? 

IELTS is the world’s proven test. Due to its high quality controls, IELTS is accepted by thousands of organisations in over 135 countries. 

  •  Universities, schools, training colleges, tertiary institutes
  • Government departments and agencies
  •  Professional and industry bodies
  •   Multinational companies and employers

 

How do I register?

 

1. Find your nearest IELTS centre and check the test dates to find two options that suit you. Note the deadline for registering for each test date. You can also see the cost of the test at your centre in local currency on the IELTS Worldwide Search

2. Check with your organisation or on the Global Recognition System whether you need to sit an Academic or General Training test.

3. Print out the IELTS Application Form  or ask your test centre for a copy. Read the information for candidates, terms and conditions, complete the form and sign it. Please make sure you have a valid postal address and use the same name as on your passport.
In some centres, candidates may be able to register for the test online. Please refer to the test centre's website for further information.


4. Organise two passport-sized photographs, less than six months old, and sign the back of each. Please note, you must not wear glasses in the photographs you submit for IELTS registration.

 

5. Take a photocopy of your current passport – this must be valid and not expired. (Some centres will accept a national identity card.)

6. If you want your results to be sent automatically to a university or educational institution, include the correct details in the section on the IELTS Application Form.

7. Take your application into your IELTS test centre with your money. If you send it by mail, please talk to your centre about the method of payment.

Once you have registered, the test centre will confirm your IELTS test date, time and venue. Please note the Speaking test can be up to 7 days before or after the test date.

On the test day, you must bring the same passport or national identity card that you entered on the IELTS Application Form.

 

IELTS | Test Takers - Sitting the test

  1.  Is the IELTS test completed in one day?
    The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

  2. What if I am delayed by circumstances beyond my control (eg a transport strike)?
    The test centre may offer you a test on the next available test date.

  3. What can I bring into the examination room?
    Only pens, pencils and erasers. You must bring the passport/national identity card you used on the IELTS Application Form to the test.You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you do not switch off your phone/pager or keep it on you, you will be disqualified.

  4. Which part do I take first?
    You do the Listening test first following by the Reading and Writing components of the test. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

  5. What kinds of accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?
    As IELTS is an international test, a variety of English accents are used in both of these tests.

  6. Does the Listening tape provide instructions and pauses?
    Yes. At the beginning, you hear instructions and a sample question. Then you read section 1 questions, listen to section 1 and answer the questions.
    The same procedure follows for sections 2, 3 and 4.
    In the final 10 minutes, you transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.

  7. Is there a similar period of 10 minutes in the Reading test to transfer answer?
    No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

  8. Can I use a pen for the Listening and Reading tests?
    No. You must do it in pencil. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot read pen.

  9. Can I make notes on the Listening and Reading question papers?
    Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper.

  10. What is the Speaking test?
    The Speaking test is a conversation with a certified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on an audiocassette or a digital recorder.

  11. What do I need for the Speaking test?
    You must bring the same identification documents you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and used for the rest of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.

IELTS | Test Takers - Test results 

  1. How are the tests marked?
    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. 

  2. Who sets the ‘pass’ mark for the IELTS test?
    There is no pass or fail in IELTS. 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. To find out more, search the IELTS Global Recognition System for specific organisations and scores.

  3. When will I receive my test results?
    Your Test Report Form will be posted to you 13 calendar days after your test date. All test centres will post your Test Report Form to you. Keep your Test Report Form in a secure place as you only receive one copy. Some test centres provide SMS alerts and an online results service.Contact your local test centre to find out more.

  4. How many Test Report Forms (TRFs) am I entitled to?
    You will be given one (1) copy of your test report form.  Up to five (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 onto candidates.  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.

  5. How can I order more Test Report Forms if my test centre has closed since I took the test?
    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 under the IELTS Worldwide Search to make sure that your centre has been closed.

    To request a Test Report Form you will need to:
    complete an Application for additional TRFs (from closed centres) form (PDF, 570 KB). 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 form).

    Test Report Forms can only be sent to Receiving Organisations and additional copies will not be sent to the candidate, their families or friends.
    There is no charge for this service.

  6. How soon can I re-sit the test?
    There is no limit on sitting the test. However, IELTS recommends you do additional study before taking the test again. Some test centres offer preparatory courses and language classes.  You can also improve your skills by using the Official IELTS Practice Materials.

  7. What if I feel my test result is wrong?
    You can apply for an Enquiry on Results procedure 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. Note that IELTS Examiners and markers follow strict assessment guidelines and are regularly monitored. The IELTS testing process has the highest quality control procedures