FAQs - IELTS

This is a very basic Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page which attempts to answer some of the more commonly asked questions. Just click a question to read the answer.

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 in this same order. The Speaking test can be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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2. What can the candidate bring into the examination room?

   Only pens, pencils and erasers. Correction fluid must not be used. You must leave anything which you do not need, or which is not allowed, either outside the examination room, or as instructed by the supervisor. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. Any candidate who does not switch off their phone/pager, or who retains one in their possession, will be disqualified.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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3. What kind 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 examinations.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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4. Does the listening tape provide the candidate with necessary instructions and pauses?

   Yes. At the beginning of the test, candidates receive instructions and hear a sample question. Next, candidates read Section One questions and then listen to Section One and answer the questions on the question paper as they listen. The same procedure follows for Sections Two, Three and Four. This takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. In the following final ten minutes, candidates transfer their answers onto the answer sheet.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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5. Is there a similar period of ten minutes at the end of the Reading test for the transfer of answers?

   No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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6. Can I complete the Listening and Reading answer sheet in pen?

   No. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot read pen.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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7. Can I make some notes on the Listening and Reading question paper?

   Yes. The examiner will not see your question paper.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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8. What is the Speaking test?

   The Speaking test is conducted with a one-to-one interview with a certified examiner, which is recorded on an audiocassette.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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9. What should the candidate bring for the Speaking test?

   The candidate needs to bring the same identification documents they supplied on registration, as these must be checked again against the information on the application form. These documents will be checked by the administrator and the Speaking examiner prior to the candidate entering the interview room.
   
   Source: www.ielts.org

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10. What happens if a candidate loses their Test Report Form?

    At any time within two years of the date of the examination, a candidate can apply to the centre which administered the test to be sent 5 copies of the original Test Report Form free of charge. These Test Report Forms will not be sent to the candidates themselves, but the universities abroad, Embassy and Consulate. For any further copies, there is an administration charge per copy. Please contact your test centre for further details.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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11. When will the candidate receive their results?

    Under usual test circumstances, the candidates will receive their IELTS results 13 calendar days after the test.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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12. How soon can candidates repeat the test?

    There is no limitation on how frequently candidates can sit IELTS. It should be noted however that IELTS scores are not substantially improved merely by taking the test on multiple occasions. To significantly improve a score it is necessary to engage in further study of a serious nature.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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13. What help is available for disabled candidates?

    Test centers make every effort to cater for the special needs of any disabled candidates, to enable them to best understand questions and tasks and to give their answers. It is our aim for the language level of all candidates, irrespective of disability, to be assessed fairly and objectively. Candidates with special needs should inform their test centre when applying so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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14. What happens if a candidate is delayed by circumstances beyond their control?

    The test centre offers the candidate an alternative test date as soon as possible.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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15. What happens if a candidate wants to postpone or cancel their application?

    Candidates who request a postponement or cancellation of their test within 5 weeks of the test date will normally be charged the full fee unless they are able to provide appropriate medical evidence to support their request within 5 days of the test date.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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16. What happens if a candidate is absent on the day of the test without giving prior notice?

    The candidate will lose their full test fee. However, if a medical certificate is provided within 5 days of the test date then the full fee is refunded minus a local administrative deduction.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org

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17. What can candidates do if they are unhappy with their results?

    Candidates may apply for an inquiry on results procedure at the centre at which they took their test within four weeks of issue of results. There is a fee for this which is refunded should the band score change.
    Candidates can receive copies of their test results under the following conditions:
    1. Results from the test date and up to 1 month after.
    o One (1) personal copy of the TRF (Test Report Form) for the candidate.
    o Up to maximum of five (5) copies sent FREE of charge to institution addresses as provided by the candidate on the application form.
    2. From one (1) month to two (2) years.
    o Candidate can request up to five (5) additional copies to be forwarded to institution addresses only, as provided by candidate. There may be a reasonable handling charge requested by the Test Centre for administration/postage.
    3. After the two (2) year validity period.
    o The Test Centre can only send a letter to a receiving organization as proof of a test date attendance, and scores may be verified in this letter. The Test Centre cannot print Test Report Forms.
    
    Source: www.ielts.org
    

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18. I need a band score of 7. How much should I aim to score?

    Well, the conversion table varies with the difficulty level of the exam. For e.g. in a difficult exam you might need to score 34 out of 40,while if the exam was an easy one, you might need 36 out of 40 to get a band score of 7.This is just an example to make you understand that test converters vary with each test.
    
    However, I have summarized an average break up scores for each band, just to help you practice getting the target scores:
    
    Score (Band)
    
    1 (1)
    2-3 (2)
    4-9 (3)
    10-15 (4)
    16-22 (5)
    23-28 (6)
    29-35 (7)
    36-38 (8)
    39-40 (9)
    
    Source: www.rxpgonline.com
    

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19. What aspects of listening are tested in IELTS Listening?

    Sections 1 and 2 of IELTS Listening test the types of listening skills needed for survival in an English-speaking country in situations relating to accommodation, transport, entertainment, health, shopping etc. The main focus is on understanding key points of factual information. Sections 3 and 4 focus on the types of academic situations likely to be encountered by students following a training or study course in an English speaking country, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, and discussions with other students on academic matters. Here the student must be able to identify key points as well as detail, and also to cope with the negotiation of meaning and follow a line of academic argument.

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20. Do the different sections use different task types?

    No. Any section may include any of the task types listed in the Overview. However, there will not generally be more than three different task types in any section, and in some cases the whole section may consist of just one task type.

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21. Are all the sections equally difficult?

    No. IELTS Listening tests a wide range of abilities, and in order to allow this, the sections gradually get more difficult from Section 1 to Section 4.

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22. How do candidates record their answers?

    Candidates write their answers on the Listening Question Paper during the test. At the end of the recording they are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers onto the Listening Answer Sheet.

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23. Do answers in IELTS Listening have to be correctly spelled?

    Yes. Incorrect spelling and grammar are penalized. However, words which the candidates have to write will generally be high-frequency words. Both UK and US varieties of spelling are accepted. Proper names may be spelled out in the tapescript.

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24. Does IELTS Listening always include all the different task types listed in the Overview?

    No. Each test version will contain a different combination of task types.

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25. How is the band score for IELTS Listening calculated?

    One mark is awarded for each of the 40 questions. A Band Score conversion table is produced for each version of IELTS Listening which translates scores out of 40 onto the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported as a whole band or a half band.

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26. How does the Listening band score relate to the overall band score?

    The overall score is worked out based on the band scores for each of the four Modules; the final score may be reported as a whole band or a half band.

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27. Will studying for IELTS Listening help students to improve their general listening skills?

    Yes. Students will be encouraged to listen in different ways for different purposes and to become more aware of the strategies that English speakers use to communicate in speech.

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28. What information are candidates given before each section?

    At the beginning of each section candidates hear a short description of the situation they are about to listen to. This may give information about who the speakers are, where they are and what the general topic is. This description is not written on the Question Paper, so it is important for candidates to listen carefully.

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29. Will candidates have time to look at the questions before they listen?

    Yes, there is time for candidates to look at the questions before each section. They are told which questions to look at.

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30. Will there be a break during the recording?

    There is one break during each of Sections 1, 2 and 3 to allow candidates time to look at the following questions. However, there is NOT a break in Section 4.

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31. Will there be an example at the beginning?

    There is usually an example at the beginning of Section 1, and for this section only, the recording relating to the example is played twice.

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32. How many times do candidates hear the recording?

    Each recording is heard ONCE only.

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33. Do the questions follow the order in which the information occurs in the recording?

    Yes. This is the case for all task types in IELTS Listening.

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34. Will candidates have time to check their answers at the end of each section?

    Yes, candidates have half a minute to check their answers at the end of each section.
    
    Source: www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/listening
    

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35. What aspects of reading are tested in IELTS Academic Reading?

    Candidates are tested on their ability to identify main ideas, supporting ideas, writer

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36. How long should candidates spend on each passage?

    Candidates have 60 minutes to read through three passages and answer 40 questions. Candidates are advised to spend about 20 minutes on each passage. Candidates should make sure that they do not waste time worrying about items they can

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37. How do candidates record their answers?

    All answers must be entered on an Answer Sheet during the 60-minutes allowed. Candidates may first write their answers on the Question Paper if they wish to, but no extra time is allowed to transfer answers to the Answer Sheet.

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38. How many different task types are there in IELTS Academic Reading?

    There are 10 basic task types, some with possible variations. A variety of task types are used in Academic Reading and more than one task type may be used for each passage. Some questions may appear before a passage and some may come after, depending on the nature of the questions.

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39. When the instructions state that the candidate should answer in, for example, NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, would they lose marks by writing an answer with more than three words, even if one is

    Yes. Answers which exceed the word limit will be marked incorrect.

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40. Are candidates penalized for spelling and grammar mistakes made in their answers?

    All words that candidates will need in order to answer the questions will be given in the passage, so they should be encouraged to transfer their answers to the Answer Sheet with care. Candidates should be aware that poor spelling and grammar are penalized.

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41. How is the band score for Academic Reading calculated?

    One mark is awarded for each of the 40 questions in the test. A band score conversion table is produced for each version of Academic Reading, which translates scores out of 40 onto the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported as a whole band or a half band.

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42. How does the Academic Reading score relate to the overall band score?

    The overall score is an average of the band scores for the four Modules; the final score may be reported as a whole band or a half band
    
    Source: www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/reading

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43. How is Academic Writing different from General Training Writing?

    The table shows that the first tasks in General Training Writing and Academic Writing are different. The differences in these tasks mean that candidates are required to produce different kinds of writing. The second tasks are quite similar in that they are both discursive and candidates may need to present a solution to a problem or present and justify an opinion or evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or argument. However, the topics in General Training Writing are topics of general interest which tend to be more concrete and personal than those in Academic Writing. The topics and instructions in General Training Writing require candidates to provide general factual information and usually do not require the same degree of comparison and contrast of evidence, opinion or implication as Academic Writing does. The second task in Academic Writing also assumes an academic context and should therefore be formal in style.
    
     
     
    
    

    	General Training Writing tasks	Academic Writing tasks
    Task 1	Writing an informal, semi-formal or formal personal letter	Presenting information from a diagram, e.g. data from a graph or a process from a flow-chart, in the candidate’s own words
    Task 2	Writing a discursive piece of writing	Writing a discursive piece of writing addressed to an educated reader

    
    

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44. Is Academic Writing Task 1 always a bar chart?

    No, the information students are given to interpret and describe may be in the form of one or more diagrams, charts, graphs or tables on a related theme. Task 1 may also be in the form of a process.

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45. Do my students need to write a separate introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 1?

    In Task 1 candidates are asked to describe the visual information and are expected to present this information in an organized, coherent way. This necessarily requires an introductory statement, however brief. Similarly, although the task does not require candidates to explain or draw conclusions from the data, a statement summarizing and main trends or features would be an appropriate ending to the

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46. What genre is Academic Writing Task 2?

    Writing Task 2 has no specific genre although it always requires a discursive response and you should advise your students to read each question carefully and respond appropriately to the individual task they are given. For Writing Task 2 students may be asked to: present a solution to a problem; present and justify an opinion; compare and contrast opinions and evidence; evaluate and challenge an idea, argument or opinion. Their answer should always be in the form of a short formal essay for a tutor or examiner.

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47. Will my students lose marks if they do not write a formal introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 2?

    There are no separate marks given for introductions and conclusions. However, one of the assessment criteria for Writing Task 2 is 'Task Response

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48. Is the marking equally weighted for the two tasks?

    Task 2 carries more marks than Task 1

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49. How is Academic Writing assessed?

    The IELTS writing scripts are assessed by IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners are fully trained in how to assess IELTS writing and speaking performances. Examiners

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50. What criteria are used to assess the answers?

    These are the assessment criteria used:\r\nTask 1: Task Achievement; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy\r\nTask 2: Task Response; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy\r\n

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51. Are marks deducted for untidy handwriting?

    No, marks are not deducted for handwriting specifically but, obviously, an illegible script cannot be marked. However, clear handwriting by candidates allows their message to be more easily understood by the examiner. Clear handwriting also helps students to communicate their ideas more effectively, so you should encourage your students to write as clearly as possible

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52. How is Academic Writing assessed?

    The IELTS writing scripts are assessed by IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners are fully trained in how to assess IELTS writing and speaking performances. Examiners

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53. What criteria are used to assess the answers?

    These are the assessment criteria used:\r\nTask 1: Task Achievement; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy\r\nTask 2: Task Response; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy \r\n

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54. Are marks deducted for untidy handwriting?

    No, marks are not deducted for handwriting specifically but, obviously, an illegible script cannot be marked. However, clear handwriting by candidates allows their message to be more easily understood by the examiner. Clear handwriting also helps students to communicate their ideas more effectively, so you should encourage your students to write as clearly as possible
    
    Source: www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/listening
    

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55. Are the questions the same for every candidate?

    No. A wide choice of questions and topics is possible, so no two tests will be the same.

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56. What can a candidate take into the test room?

    S/He can only take his/her identity document. Everything needed in the test will be provided by the examiner.

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57. Why is IELTS Speaking recorded?

    The recording is needed in case the candidate's performance needs to be re-marked.

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58. What if a candidate doesn

    The topics are carefully chosen to reflect common experiences, so candidates don

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59. Can a candidate start speaking before the 1 minute preparation time is over?

    Yes. If a candidate doesn

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60. How long should the candidate talk for in Part 2?

    Every candidate is given the opportunity to talk for 2 minutes. S/He should aim to talk for the full 2 minutes to provide the examiner with a good sample of language for rating.

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61. What should a candidate do if s/he doesn

    The candidate should tell the examiner. S/He should say s/he doesn

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62. Does the candidate have to write notes in Part 2?

    No, making notes is an option available to the candidate. Some candidates prefer just to think about what to say whereas others find making notes helps them to organize their ideas and to keep talking.

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63. Can the candidate write on the task card?

    No, this is not allowed. The examiner gives the candidate paper to make notes on.

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64. Is it a good idea for a candidate to learn short speeches about his/her town or job by heart?

    No, s/he should listen carefully to the examiner and just respond to the question. Learnt speeches usually miss the point of the question, and may adversely affect pronunciation.

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65. Can the result of Speaking be a half band, as in Reading or Listening?

    No. The Speaking score can only be given as a whole band, so a candidate might get 5 or 6 but not 5.5.

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66. Will the examiner give the candidate any feedback?

    No, the examiner is not permitted to give feedback, and the candidate should not ask him/her to do so.
    
    Source: www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/speaking
    

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