IELTS Frequently Asked Questions

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language proficiency test for study, work and migration. With more than 4 million tests taken each year, it's recognised by more than 12,500 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 150 countries around the world. Book your IELTS test with IDP.

It's simple. Just choose your preferred IELTS Test Centre and pick a test date that suits you. Once you've determined that, follow the instructions to book your test. Please make sure that you have your passport with you to enter your identification details. Feel free to contact our IELTS Australasia Customer Support team if you have any problems booking your test. We can help you complete your booking.

Sure thing! IDP Education gives you access to a wide range of official IELTS preparation materials for all levels of English. Explore and view it here.

This will depend on where you sit your test so kindly check with your Test Centre for details. Contact details for our Test Centres are available here

You must contact your test Centre no later than 5 calendar days before the scheduled test date if you seek to request a refund or transfer your test date. Your Test Centre will provide you information on your next steps and administration fees. Contact details for our Test Centres are available here.

There is no time limit on sitting the test. However, we strongly recommend you practise your IELTS skills in Writing, Reading or Speaking until you're confident you've done enough to increase your band score before taking the test again. Most Test Centres offer one-on-one coaching or free IELTS Masterclasses, you may register for them here. We also offer a wide range of official IELTS preparation materials for all levels of English. Explore and view it here.

IELTS is an international test , we hear all accents. In your Speaking test, you’ll not lose marks for speaking with an accent but your pronunciation is important. Rest assured, your examiner will match your speaking pace and proficiency. Feel free to clarify the question if you're unsure.

IELTS on computer:
Your results will be released between 1-5 days after you sit your test. You will receive an email when your eTRF (digital version of IELTS Test Report Form) is ready. Log in to your IDP IELTS account here - to access and download your eTRF.

IELTS on paper:
Your results will be released 13 calendar days after you sit your test. How you receive your results will depend on which IELTS Test Centre you sit your test with. You may collect your results at some Test Centres so, please check with your Test Centre first. You should receive your Test Report Form (TRF) within 5 days of postage. It will be mailed to the postal address.

You will be able to view your provisional IELTS results online, once they are available. However, this should not be used as an official confirmation of your performance — only the TRF or eTRF are considered as official confirmation of results.

Preview your provisional IELTS results online here

Kindly have your passport, personal and test date details handy to view your results online.

Kindly apply for an IELTS Enquiry on Results within six weeks of sitting your test. Please contact the team at IELTS Customer Support team for more information.

IELTS is an international test created by Cambridge University. Cambridge carefully develops each element of each new test to ensure the level of difficulty is consistent. Rest assured that everything about the test is the same, regardless of where you take the test in the world.

We recommend that you take the test at your preferred centre, a place that makes you feel most comfortable and is ideal for you based on your needs. Browse here to see our list of centres in your city.

A strong structure and process is in place to ensure the marking is consistent no matter where in the world you take your IELTS. Our expert examiners strictly follow comprehensive assessment criteria to grade your skills. Training is also provided to our examiners globally and a firm monitoring process is in place to make sure marking quality and consistency is met always.

If you would like more information about our marking and band scores, click here

You will be given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5., 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

For more information on the 9 band scale and how it is calculated, click here

It’s important that you prepare for the test even if you come from an English-speaking background. We strongly recommend that you become used to the test format as understanding what to expect on test day is key to performing well. We also recommend you be familiar with the assessment criteria to fully understand how the examiner will mark your test.

You can only bring in pens, pencils, erasers and the valid passport you used on the IELTS Application Form with you to the test. Everything else must be left outside the examination room.

Is it necessary to write an essay header before starting the essay or is it not required? Which is the best way?

There is no need for a headings or subheadings in the Task 2 IELTS Writing. You will be marked down for incorrect format if you use subheadings. The examiner has the question in front of them, so you don’t need to repeat it by using a heading. Simply start your essay with the introduction as you would normally do. Task 2 starts with an introduction, then the body paragraph(s) and then the conclusion.

Is it necessary to write an essay header before starting the essay or is it not required? Which is the best way?

There is no need for a headings or subheadings in the Task 2 IELTS Writing. You will be marked down for incorrect format if you use subheadings. The examiner has the question in front of them, so you don’t need to repeat it by using a heading. Simply start your essay with the introduction as you would normally do. Task 2 starts with an introduction, then the body paragraph(s) and then the conclusion.

For IELTS General Training Task 1, we’re instructed to begin our letter with “Dear Sir” or “Madam”. Should we begin the letter as suggested or should we follow the proper format of writing a letter? Which one is the correct way?

If you have been asked to start the letter with Dear Sir or Madam, this is how you should start your letter – “Dear Sir” or “Madam”. This will also signal that the letter must be written in a formal tone. If the instructions say ‘Begin your letter with “Dear…”, this means that the letter will be semi-formal/friendly, and you should start your letter by inserting a name. Eg. Dear John.

If I make a mistake while writing a letter or essay, is it better to use an eraser or should I cross out the wrong word and carry on. Which is the correct method?

If you have an eraser, it is better to erase the error and to replace it with the correct word. If your writing has lots of crossed out lines, it looks messy and may make it difficult for the examiner to read. Neat presentation and clear handwriting aid the reading process. If you are in a centre where they only use pen, try and cross out the word or phrase neatly and write over it, or beside it as neatly as you can.

Can I write in capital letters?

We recommend you write all your Reading and Listening answers in capitals, so it is clear for the examiner. However, in Computer-delivered IELTS handwriting is not an issue, so you should try to write all words using upper and lower case.

However, in the Writing test, it is very important to write Task 1 and Task 2 with correct capitalisation, as punctuation is marked as part of the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criteria.

For IELTS on computer, do we get a paper and pencil to take notes for the Listening test? Do we also get 10 minutes to transfer answers?

There is no transfer time for IELTS on computer Listening test. You input answers directly as you hear them. You will get a pencil and a sheet of paper (with your Log-in details) that you can write notes on.

For more information, please learn more about IELTS on computer here.