Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
This section provides answers to a lot of frequently asked candidate questions. Please check this section before contacting the IELTS enquiries service.
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What can the candidate bring into the examination room?
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Is the IELTS test completed in one day?
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What kind of accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?
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Does the listening CD provide the candidate with necessary instructions and pauses?
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Is there a similar period of ten minutes at the end of the Reading test for the transfer of answers?
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Can I complete the Listening and Reading answer sheet in pen?
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Can I make some notes on the Listening and Reading question paper?
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How is the Speaking test conducted?
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What should the candidate bring to the Speaking test?
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How many Test Report Forms can a candidate have?
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When will the candidate receive their results?
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How soon can candidates repeat the test?
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What help is available for disabled candidates?
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What happens if a candidate is delayed by circumstances beyond their control (e.g. a transportation strike)?
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What happens if a candidate wants to postpone or cancel their application?
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What happens if a candidate is absent on the day of the test without giving prior notice?
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What can candidates do if they are unhappy with their results?
Answers
1. What can the candidate bring into the examination room?
Only pens, pencils and erasers. Correction fluid and highlighters must not be used. No food, drinks, sweets or chocolate are allowed in the test room. Mobile phones, MP3 players and electronic keyrings must be switched off and left with your bag and other possessions outside the examination room in our secure storage area. Any candidate who does not switch off their phone/MP3 player, or who retains one in their possession, will be disqualified.
2. 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.
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.
4. Does the listening CD 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.
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.
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.
7. Can I make some notes on the Listening and Reading question paper?
Yes. But the examiner will not see your question paper and no marks will be given for answers written there.
8. How is the Speaking test conducted?
The Speaking test is conducted in a one-to-one interview with a certified examiner and is recorded on a digital recorder.
9. What should the candidate bring to the Speaking test?
A fully completed and signed application form, 1 passport size photo, your passport, copy of your passport, any previous TRFs and your original bank receipt.
10. How many Test Report Forms can candidates have?
Each candidate is entitled to one copy of their TRF. 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 to the universities abroad, Embassies and Consulates. For any further copies, there is an administration charge per copy. Please see the forwarding TRF page of this site for further details.
11. When will the candidate receive their results?
The results are issued 13 days after test day. Candidates can access their results online by entering their passport number and candidate number on the results link on the home page of this site. TRFs are available for collection from our Tehran office on the 13th day.
12. How soon can candidates repeat the test?
Candidates can takethe test again at the next available test date, but are reminded that scores are unlikely to improve dramatically without English language tuition in the interim.
13. What help is available for disabled candidates?
Test centres 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 well in advance of the test date when applying so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
14. What happens if a candidate is delayed by circumstances beyond their control (e.g. a transportation strike)?
The test centre offers the candidate an alternative test date as soon as possible.
15. What happens if a candidate wants to postpone or cancel their application?
Candidates who wish to request a postponement or cancellation of their test must do so no later than 5 weeks before the test date. An administration charge of 350,000 rials is made for this service. No refunds or transfers can be granted within the 5 week period.
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 charge of 350,000 rials.
17. What can candidates do if they are unhappy with their results?
Candidates may apply for an enquiry on results procedure at the centre at which they took their test within four weeks of receipt of results. There is a fee of 1,250,000 rials for this which is refunded should the band score increase.
