| 1. What level of English do I | | | | 11. How long does it take to go |
| need to take IELTS? | | | | from one Band level to the next? |
| IELTS can provide a test result for all candidates | | | | This depends on your personal circumstances |
| from beginner to very advanced. Remember, | | | | – your motivation to learn, your exposure to |
| however, that the examination is pitched at | | | | English and the amount of time you spend |
| intermediate level and above. | | | | studying. |
| 2. How often can I sit IELTS? | | | | 12. Do I have to study at an |
| There is no limit to the number of times you may | | | | English language school before I take IELTS? |
| sit IELTS. | | | | No. However, it is important to be familiar with |
| 3. How often is IELTS available? | | | | the types of questions you will meet in the test. |
| There are no set dates for IELTS. Most test | | | | Spending time in an IELTS preparation class with |
| centres offer the test at least once a month and | | | | other students will certainly be helpful because |
| busy centres may conduct more sessions at | | | | IELTS differs from other English examinations. |
| peak time of the year. | | | | 13. Do I have to sit all parts of |
| 4. Where is IELTS available? | | | | the test on the same day? |
| There are over 250 approved test centres in | | | | The Listening, Reading and Writing modules are |
| over 105 different countries. Contact UCLES, the | | | | taken on the same day. The Speaking test is |
| British Council or IDP Education Australia for an | | | | usually on this day but may be held up to two |
| up-to-date list of centres. | | | | days later – at the discretion of the centre. |
| 5. Do I receive a certificate? | | | | 14. Is IELTS available on |
| No. You will receive a Test Report Form (TRF) | | | | computer? |
| from the centre where you sat the test showing | | | | A computerised version of IELTS – known as |
| your band score in each part of the test. | | | | CBIELTS – will be available at some centres |
| 6. How long is a test score | | | | for the Listening and Reading tests. You can |
| valid? | | | | choose whether to take the Writing test on |
| As with all language proficiency tests, a result has | | | | screen or on paper. However, you will always be |
| a maximum ‘shelf life’ of approximately 2 | | | | able to take the pen and paper version of the |
| years. To be valid after 2 years, an IELTS TRF | | | | test at all centres. |
| should be accompanied by evidence that you | | | | 15. What age must I be to sit |
| have maintained your level of English through your | | | | IELTS? |
| studies or effective use of the language. | | | | IELTS is not recommended for candidates under |
| 7. What score do I need to get | | | | the age of 16. |
| into university? | | | | 16. Is there a difference |
| This depends upon the institution to which you are | | | | between an Academic and a General Training |
| applying. While some will accept you at Band 5, | | | | IELTS score? |
| most universities require a minimum of 6.5 overall | | | | Yes. The Academic module is designed to assess |
| with a minimum score of 6 in each sub-test. | | | | whether you are ready to study in an English |
| Some courses with a heavy emphasis on | | | | language medium at undergraduate or |
| language may ask for a higher score. You should | | | | postgraduate level. A General Training score |
| seek advice form the Faculty or University to | | | | cannot be used for entry to a university as the |
| which you are applying. | | | | emphasis of GT is on basic survival skills in a |
| 8. Do I need to pass each | | | | broad social and educational context. The results |
| paper to pass IELTS? | | | | are not interchangeable. |
| There is no actual ‘pass mark’ for IELTS. | | | | 17. Which module should I sit if I |
| You will receive a TRF which shows your | | | | want to emigrate to Australia or New Zealand? |
| performance on the 9 band scale in each of the | | | | You should sit the General Training module. A |
| four modules. The four scores are then combined | | | | score of 5.5 is generally required. |
| to produce your overall band score. There are no | | | | 18. How many times will I hear |
| IELTS certificates – just this form. | | | | the Listening module? |
| 9. How long does it take to get | | | | There are four sections to the Listening module |
| an IELTS result? | | | | and you will hear each part ONCE only. |
| You will receive your result within two weeks of | | | | 19. Will I be penalised if I cannot |
| sitting the test. The result will come from the | | | | spell a word properly in the Listening test? |
| centre where you sat the test. | | | | Poor spelling and grammar in your answers will be |
| 10. If I reach a satisfactory | | | | penalised though minor misspellings are overlooked. |
| level in one part of the test but not in other | | | | Both British and American spelling is accepted, |
| parts, do I have to sit the whole test again? | | | | however. |
| Yes. You have to sit all four Modules each time | | | | 20. Is there a choice of |
| you sit IELTS. Your score on all parts of the test | | | | questions in the Writing Test? |
| will be recorded on each TRF. | | | | |