16/05/2021
What to Expect on IELTS Test Day?
Understand how a test day is run so that you arrive prepared and can focus on doing your best. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are always taken on the same day, in the same session. The order in which these tests are taken may vary. The Speaking test may be sat the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests, depending on your test centre.The IELTS test implements sophisticated, biometric security measures that protect test takers and organisations from attempts to cheat. Below is an overview of what you can expect on test day.
Arrive early
You should arrive early for your test in order to allow time for you to register and be seated for the test. Please refer to your booking confirmation for details. If you arrive late, you may not be allowed to take the test.
Check in your personal items
No personal items to be taken into the test room (except for religious reasons). Test day staff will collect and safely store your personal belongings. Items which are forbidden from the test room include: mobile phones, hand-held computers, cameras, hats, scarves, wallets, books, notes or food.
ID Check
when you register on test day, a member of staff will check your identification (ID). Your ID must be the same ID that you used when you booked the test. It must also be valid (unexpired) and a recognisable photo of yourself. If you booked your test at a test centre then a photograph and finger scan may have been taken already. If not, these will be taken when you arrive on test day. Before you enter the test room, your finger will be scanned again to verify your identity.
Entering the test room
When it is time to enter the test room, a test invigilator will guide you to your seat. Do not write any notes. You are not permitted to speak to any other candidates. If you have a question, put up your hand and a member of staff will assist you. On your desk, you are only allowed to have drink that is in a transparent bottle.
Breaks
You are not permitted to leave while instructions are being given, during the last 10 minutes of each component of the test, while papes are being counted after each test, or while the Listening test audio is playing, including the 10 minute pause at the end. If you need to leave the test room to go to the bathroom at any other time, raise your hand and ask a member of staff.
Asking for Help
If you have a problem (e.g. if you think you have been given the wrong paper, you cannot hear the instructions, or you feel ill) raise your hand to attract the attention of the invigilators. Please note that the invigilator will not provide any explanation of the questions.
End of the Test
You cannot leave your seat until your papers have been collected and you have been told to leave. If you finish early you must wait quietly until the test is finished and you are advised that you can leave. You must leave any notes and materials on the desk.
After the Test
Collect your belongings. Your provisional results will be available online 13 calendar days after the test at https://results.ielts.org. Your official results will appear on your Test Report Form which will also be ready after 13 days. You can collect it from the test centre or have it posted to you – depending on what was specified at the time of registration
Receiving your results
You will receive a Test Report Form which reports a score for each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), as well as an overall band score.
Half band scores may be awarded to indicate a strong performance within a particular band. You can find more information on score processing and score interpretation at IELTSessentials.com/criteria.
Results are available 13 calendar days after the test. At some test centres test takers may collect their results on the 13th day; at others, results are mailed on the 13th day. Test centres are not permitted to give results over the phone or by fax or email. You will receive only one copy of the Test Report Form. It’s important that you keep it safe as replacement Test Report Forms cannot be issued. Test centres will send copies of your Test Report Form to up to five organisations free of charge.
Preview your results online You can preview your results online 13 calendar days after the test. Results remain online for 28 days.
Please note that the online preview of results should not be used as an official confirmation of your performance.
Results validity period
Organisations will not usually accept a Test Report Form that is more than two years old unless you provide evidence that you have actively maintained or tried to improve your English since taking the test. The IELTS Test Partners cannot confirm the validity of test results that are more than two years old.
Re-taking IELTS There are no restrictions on re-taking IELTS. You can register for a test as soon as you feel you are ready to do so.
Please note that your score is unlikely to increase unless you make a significant effort to improve your English before re-taking the test. More information is available from IELTSessentials.com/resitting.
Enquiries on results
If you are unhappy with your test result, you can apply for a re-mark (Enquiry on Results) at the centre where you took the test. You must make the application no later than six weeks after the test date. You can choose which test components are re-marked. There is a fee for this service which will be refunded if your score on any component is increased. Enquiries on Results take six to eight weeks to complete.