Answers to the questions you need!

Registering For The Test +

What if I am absent or sick on the day of my test?

If you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. However, if you are unable to attend due to a serious medical condition and provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.

What if I need to postpone or cancel my application?

Please contact the test centre where you booked your test. In general:

If you postpone or cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration charge.
If you postpone or cancel within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a medical reason.
If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost

How do I book/register for my test?

Tests can be registered for directly at the test centre. Details are available on individual test centre websites.

How much does it cost?

The Academic and General Training tests are the same cost and range between $295 and $315 depending on the location. To find out how much the test costs at a centre closest to you, please visit the overview page of your nearest test centre.

When can I take IELTS?

IELTS is available on 48 fixed dates a year – up to four times a month on Thursdays and Saturdays, depending on local demand.

Where can I take IELTS?

IDP: IELTS Canada offers 25 test locations across the country. Find a test centre near you.

Taking The Test +

Can I make notes on the Listening and Reading question papers?

Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper.

Can I write in pencil?

You must write in pencil for the Listening and Reading components. In the Writing test, a pen or pencil may be used.

Can I write in capital letters?

Yes, you can use all capital letters in the IELTS Reading and Listening components and also in the Writing component.

What kinds 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 tests.

What do I need for the Speaking test?

You must bring the same identification documents (ID) you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and continue to use the same ID for each part of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.

What is the Speaking test?

The Speaking test is a discussion with a certified and highly qualified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on an audiocassette or a digital recorder.

Which part do I take first?

You do the Listening component first followed by the Reading and Writing components of the test. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

What can I take into the examination room?

Only pens, pencils and erasers. You must bring the passport/national identity card you used on the IELTS Application Form to the test.

You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you do not switch off your phone/pager or if you keep it with you, you will be disqualified.

Do I take all parts of the test on the same day?

The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. You will take the Speaking test up to 7 days either before or after the test date, depending on the test centre.

What are the test rules?

Test rules and guidelines can be found on the Notice to Candidates provided in the IELTS Application Form. You are also advised to read the Information for Candidates booklet carefully so that you understand the test format and know what to expect on test day. Both these publications are available from your test centre.

Test Results +

What if I am not happy with my result?

You can apply for an Enquiry on Results procedure at your test centre within six weeks of the test date. You must pay an enquiry fee, which is fully refunded if your band-score changes. Note that IELTS Examiners and markers follow strict assessment guidelines and are regularly monitored. The IELTS testing process has the highest quality control procedures.

How soon can I re-sit the test?

There is no limit on sitting the test. However, IELTS recommends you do additional study before taking the test again. Some test centres offer preparatory courses and language classes. Contact your local test centre for more information.

How can I order more Test Report Forms if my test centre has closed since I took the test?

: If the test centre where you took your test has closed we can still send a copy of your Test Report Form to any receiving organisation for the first two years after your test.

To request a Test Report Form you will need to complete an Application Form for additional TRFs. It is very important that you complete your family and given names exactly as they appear on your identification document. Submit the form by clicking the Submit button at the end of the form.

Include a scanned copy of the passport or identification document that you used when you sat the test (this is done after you click the submit button on the Application form).

Test Report Forms can only be sent to receiving organisations and additional copies will not be sent to the candidate, their families or friends.

There is no charge for this service.

I took my test in another country but am now in Canada. Can I order a copy of my results from a local IELTS test centre?

Test Report Forms can only be ordered from the original testing centre. Provided that you are still within the two-year expiry period, you must contact the original centre where you sat the test for a copy of the TRF. All test centres can be contacted via email for further instruction. Please check the centre website for where you took the test for their contact information.

How many Test Report Forms (TRFs) am I entitled to?

You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) – in this case, you can receive two.

Up to five (5) copies of your TRF will be posted to the relevant institution(s) you have listed on your IELTS application form. Regular postage is free of charge. Charges for courier services and/or overseas postage will be passed onto you. Additional TRFs beyond these five can be requested from the test centre which issued the TRF. Please note, an administration fee may be charged for additional TRFs. If you have lost your TRF, please contact the test centre which issued your TRF.

When will I receive my test results?

Your Test Report Form will be available to you 13 calendar days after your test date. You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) – in this case, you can receive two. Proof of application to CIC must be provided.

Contact your local test centre to find out more

Who sets the ‘pass’ mark for the IELTS test?

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements.

How are the tests marked?

IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. You receive individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and an Overall Band Score on a band scale from one to nine.

Why Choose IELTS?

Scores are accepted by over 10,000 organizations worldwide.
IELTS recognizes both Canadian and American English in terms of spelling, grammar and choice of words.
The IELTS approach is recognized as being fair, reliable and valid to all candidates.
IELTS has been developed in close consultation with academics, professional bodies and immigration authorities.
Read further