IELTS Faq

General FAQs | Result FAQs | Listening FAQs | Reading Test FAQs | Writing Test FAQs | Speaking Test FAQs

IELTS General FAQs

1. What is IELTS?

Ans. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a test to assess the English language skills of candidates who want to study, work or migrate to a country where English is the official language of communication. To know more check About IELTS on UrbanPro.

2. What is the purpose of IELTS Test?

Ans. The purpose of IELTS test is to assess the reading, writing, listening and speaking ability of English language of a person who wants to study, work or migrate to an English speaking country.

3. What skills are tested in the IELTS test?

Ans. Four skills are tested – reading, writing, listening and speaking.

4. Who owns or manages IELTS test?

Ans. IELTS test is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English language assessment.

5. Where IELTS score is accepted?

Ans. IELTS score is accepted by over 9,000 organizations worldwide, including schools, universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.

6. What are the major countries accepting IELTS score?

Ans. IELTS score is widely accepted in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, USA and many other places around the world where English is a language in the workplace or classroom.

7. How to register for the IELTS test?

Ans. Visit IELTS official website to register for the test in your preferred location and test date.

8. How much does IELTS cost?

Ans. Fees are set by test centres and vary from country to country. The registration fee for IELTS tests administered up to 31 March 2016 is INR 10,600. And the registration fee for IELTS tests administered after 01 April 2016, is INR 11,100.

9. How can I choose date for IELTS exam?

Ans. IELTS has about 48 fixed dates in a year – 4 test dates in a month. Tests are held on Saturdays and Thursdays. To find out test dates in your area, visit IELTS official website or contact your nearest test centre.

10. Who can apply for IELTS test?

Ans. Any person who wishes to pursue education or work opportunities or for immigration in English speaking countries can apply for IELTS Test. There are two versions in IELTS exam – Academic and General Training. Check out IELTS syllabus.

11. Which version of IELTS is for me?

Ans. IELTS Academic is for candidates wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level and for those seeking professional registration. IELTS General Training is for candidates wishing to migrate to an English speaking country and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level. The version should be chosen depending on the organization the candidate is applying to and future plans. Confirm with the organization before registering for the exam.

12. Can I take up part of the IELTS test in different days?

Ans. No, Candidate has to complete listening, reading and writing section in 1 day. The speaking test can be taken upto 7 days before or after the other three tests.

13. How much break time I will get in-between the IELTS tests?

Ans. There are no breaks between three tests i.e. listening, reading and writing. The order in which these tests are taken may vary.

14. What is the minimum score to pass the test?

Ans. There is nothing as pass or fail in IELTS. Results are reported as band scores from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). Candidate need to score requisite band score required for the organization he is looking to work for or the institute where he is planning to study.

15. How many times can I appear in IELTS test?

Ans. There is no limit on re-appearing for the IELTS exam.

16. If I have appeared for IELTS test twice, which result can I use?

Ans. You can use the test in which you have scored highest as long as the result is still valid.

17. Will my IELTS fees be refunded if I fail to appear for the exam on the scheduled date?

Ans. If you fail to appear for the test on scheduled date without prior intimation, the candidate will be marked as ‘no show’ and the fees will not be refunded. In exceptional cases the fees will be refunded (less 25% of administrative fees), if candidate can provide evidence within 5 days that his ability to sit for the test has been affected by serious illness or cause.

18. Can I cancel or postpone my IELTS test?

Ans. Yes, request for cancellation or postponement should be given upto 5 weeks prior to the scheduled date with valid documents.

19. How can I cancel or postpone my IELTS test?

Ans. Download the request for cancellation or postponement form, fill and attach the required and supporting documents/evidence and send it to the mentioned address. And send it to the address as mentioned in form upto 5 weeks prior to the test date: By BritishCouncil:- https://www.britishcouncil.in/sites/default/files/application_form_for_postponement_or_cancellation_of_ielts_test_date.pdf

By IDP: https://www.ieltsidpindia.com/pdf/Transfer_Cancellation_Application_Form.pdf

Read the rules carefully before applying for the cancellation or postponement of IELTS exam.

20. How is IELTS test score calculated?

Ans. IELTS uses 1 to 9 band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. A profile score is reported for each skill (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The overall band score is calculated by taking the average of the total of the four individual skills score. Overall band scores are reported nearest whole or half band.

IELTS Result FAQs

21. When will I get my result?

Ans. Results will be available 13 calendar days after you test. Result can be checked online https://results.ielts.org. In some test centres, test takers can collect their result on or after the 13th day and in other test centres, the result are mailed on 13th day from the test date.

22. Can I receive more than 1 Test Report Form?

Ans. No, you will receive only 1 test report form, so keep it safe. In case you have lost the test report form, copies will not be sent to you but IELTS will forward your test report form to your relevant institution or embassy. Up to 5 copies will be sent free of charge. If you wish to send to more institutes, then you need to pay a small administrative fees. Contact your test center for further details.

23. If I am not satisfied with the IELTS result, what should I do?

Ans. You can apply for your test to be remarked. This is called an enquiry on results. You need to apply at the centre where you booked your test no later than 6 weeks after the test date.

24. Do I have to pay for enquiry on results?

Ans. Yes, you have to pay but if your score is increased for any part of test you have sent for re-marking, the fee will be refunded.

25. When can I expect my enquiry result?

Ans. Usually enquiries on result take 6-8 weeks to complete.

26. How long are IELTS scores valid?

Ans. Usually the IELTS score is valid for 2 years. Confirm with your organization for the validity.

IELTS Listening Test FAQs

27. How is the listening test marked?

Ans. There are 4 sections in the listening test with 40 Questions. 10 questions in each section and each question carries 1 mark.

28. Is there a negative marking for wrong answer?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for wrong answers. So it is advisable to attempt all the questions even if you are not sure about the answer.

29. How much time will I get to attend listening test?

Ans. IELTS listening test lasts for 40 minutes. Listening to the recording takes 30 minutes and 10 minutes for transferring the answers to answer sheet.

30. Can I read the questions before listening to the recording?

Ans. Yes, you will be having some time to look over the questions before the recording begins.

31. Can I make notes on listening question paper?

Ans. Yes, you can make notes on listening question paper. And it is advisable to do so.

32. Can all the questions be answered in capital letters?

Ans. Yes, questions can be answered in capital letters. Decide before starting the test, whether you want to write in capital letters or upper case or lower case. There is no marking penalty for writing any answer in the listening test with, or without capital letters.

33. What is preferable pen or pencil for IELTS listening test?

Ans. Pencil is more preferable for listening and reading tests as one can erase and change the answer if required.

34. Can I listen to the recording again during listening test?

Ans. No, no part of recording will be repeated. The recording will be played only once.

35. What kind of recording will be played?

Ans. Out of four sections in listening test, section one is a general conversation. The recording is based on social or real-life situations – e.g. everyday events, conversations about accommodation etc. And the conversation is between two speakers. Section two is a general monologue. The recording is based on social or real life situations – e.g. news broadcast or description of college facilities. Section three is an academic conversation. The recording is based on education and training situations – e.g. seminar discussion. And conversation maybe between two to four speakers. Section four is an academic monologue – e.g. an academic lecture or talks.

36. What are the different types of questions in IELTS listening test?

Ans. Following types of question may appear in the test: 1. Multiple choice 2. Short answer questions 3. Sentence completion 4. Notes/summary/diagram/flow chart/table completion 5. Labeling a diagram which has numbered parts 6. Classification 7. Matching

37. What accents can I expect to hear in IELTS listening test?

Ans. You can expect to hear any standard variety of English, including British English, American English and Australian English.

IELTS Reading Test FAQs

38. How is general training reading module is different from academic reading module?

Ans. Reading passages and questions are easier in general training module as compared to academic module. However, the number of questions and marking is same for both modules.

39. Is there any negative marking for wrong answers in reading test?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for wrong answers. So advised to attempt all the questions.

40. What kind of passages should I expect in reading test?

Ans. In Academic version, the passages are taken from books, newspapers, journals. Some reading passages come with diagram, graph, pictures or other illustrations. These will cover 3 diverse academic topics. In General training version, the passages are taken from advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, notices and magazines. These are informational passages.

41. What type of questions can I expect in IELTS reading test?

Ans. Each passage will be followed by an average of 13 questions. Following are the type of questions you can expect to see in the test: 1. Multiple choice 2. Short answer questions 3. Sentence completion 4. Notes/summary/diagram/flow chart/table completion 5. Labeling a diagram which has numbered parts 6. Classification 7. Matching

42. Can I write T instead of true for true and false not given questions?

Ans. Yes, you can write ‘T’ instead of ‘true’ for true and false not given questions. And similarly ‘Y’ instead of ‘yes’ or no or not given questions. But please note that you cannot write ‘Y’ instead of true for true and false not given questions and vice-a-versa.

IELTS Writing Test FAQs

43. Is IELTS writing test different for academic and general training test takers?

Ans. Yes, writing part of the IELTS test varies. But the duration and marking of the test is same in both the cases.

44. How many parts are there in writing test?

Ans. There are two parts in writing test. Task 1 is different in academic and general training. In General training, task 1 is to write a letter whereas in Academic it is to describe a table, process, charts, maps or diagram in 150 words. Task 2 is common for both i.e. write an essay in 250 words.

45. What is the duration of IELTS writing test?

Ans. Duration of writing test is 60 minutes.

46. What skills are assessed in writing test?

Ans. IELTS writing test is designed to assess wide range of writing skills: write a response appropriately, organize ideas and use a range of varied vocabulary and grammar accurately.

IELTS Speaking Test FAQs

47. How many parts are there in IELTS speaking test?

Ans. There are three parts in IELTS speaking test. Part one is introduction and questions on familiar topic areas such as work, study, hobbies and holidays. Part two is two-minute talk on a topic given by examiner. Part three is discussion on the topic given in part two.

48. What is the duration of speaking test?

Ans. Speaking test takes a total of 11-14 minutes. Part 1 takes 4-5 minutes, part 2 takes 3-4 minutes and part 3 takes 4-5 minutes. In part 2, 3-4 minutes include the 1-minute time of thinking/preparation given to the candidate.

49. What skills are assessed in speaking test?

Ans. The skills assessed in IELTS speaking test are fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

50. Can I ask examiner to repeat the question in case I am not able to understand?

Ans. Yes, you can ask the examiner to repeat the question. But for limited number of times.

51. How can I prepare for IELTS exam?

Ans. There are many books, practice material available online. Online tests are also available which will help to assess your score. You can take guidance from institutes and professionals providing complete assistance on IELTS exam. Check for the list of institutes and professionals providing coaching classes.

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