Question 1

What do I need to bring to my Speaking test?

Accepted Answer

You must bring the same passport or national identity card that you used to book your IELTS test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room and again during the interview.

Question 2

What accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?

Accepted Answer

As IELTS is an international test, a variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used in both the General Training and Academic tests.

Question 3

If I take IELTS on paper, can I write notes in the question booklets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are encouraged to write notes on the question booklets. IELTS examiners do not have access to your question booklets.

Question 4

Can I make notes during the IELTS on computer test?

Accepted Answer

Yes. IELTS on computer provides a note-taking and highlight function. You can try these functions on the familiarisation tests here. You can also write notes on the login details sheet you receive at the beginning of the test.

Question 5

Can I write my answers in capital letters?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use all capital letters in the IELTS Reading and Listening sections. If you use capital letters in the Writing section, make sure that your punctuation is correct and the examiner can see where you start and finish sentences.

Question 6

How can I improve my Writing band score?

Accepted Answer

Read the assessment criteria used for both Academic and General Training Writing tests carefully before your test day. The examiner will assess your writing based on four criteria for Task 1 and Task 2.
Remember that Writing Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1. You can improve your Writing band score by practising. Our news and articles page has extensive tips and advice to help you prepare and improve your English-language skills.

Question 7

What happens in the IELTS Speaking test?

Accepted Answer

The Speaking test is a discussion with a highly qualified IELTS examiner who assesses your ability to talk about a range of topics. The Speaking test has three parts and is recorded. A description of the three parts of the interview is found in the Information for Candidates booklet.

Question 8

What time does the test start?

Accepted Answer

IELTS on Paper begins at 09:00 and takes about 3 hours. IELTS on Computer is held 7 days a week, and up to 3 times a day: morning, afternoon, and evening sessions, and these hours may vary depending on the test center.

Question 9

What can test takers expect on test day?

Accepted Answer

On test day photograph and finger scan will be taken at the entrance to the test room, ensuring secure access to all areas. The finger scan will be matched each time test takers leave and return to the test room after every break.

Question 10

What is a finger scan?

Accepted Answer

A finger scan will be used to confirm test taker identity. The finger scan uses an electronic scanner which doesn’t contain any ink, liquid or chemical. No image of the finger is taken or stored instead data is converted into a unique sequence of numbers that are then used to identify the test taker and cannot be converted back into an image. A finger scan is not a finger print.

Question 11

Why test takers need to have finger scanning and photograph on test day?

Accepted Answer

IELTS is dedicated to protecting genuine test takers while ensuring the highest standard of customer care and the validity of test scores. Finger scanning and test day photography are security arrangements that provide protection for genuine test takers against fraudulent test takers. They also provide receiving organisations with reassurance that the person whose photograph appears on the Test Report Form is the person who took the test.

Question 12

What will happen to finger scan data and photograph?

Accepted Answer

Finger scan will be stored as a binary reference and cannot be converted back into an image. An actual image of the finger-scan is never stored. Photograph and all personal data will be used only for the purpose of the IELTS test.

Question 13

Can test takers refuse to give finger scan?

Accepted Answer

Refusal to comply with IELTS identity verification will prevent test takers from taking the test, and they will not be eligible for any transfer, cancellation or refund of the test.

Question 14

What do I need to bring on the day of the IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

On the day of the test, you must bring the passport/Turkish ID card you used for your IELTS online application. (only original and valid passports/IDs are accepted). Your passport must have an expiry date of at least 7 days after the test date to be considered valid. Photocopies or certified copies will not be accepted.

You must leave everything else outside the examination room except your passport/Turkish ID card you used for your IELTS application. Mobile phones, smartwatches and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor.

You can bring an HB pencil or HB mechanical pencil, eraser, sharpener. You can also bring water and disinfectant – all labels must be removed and bottles must be see-through.

IELTS test centres will provide water, tissue, pencils, eraser, sharpener, disinfectant ve cologne to you during the test.

Question 15

What if I forget my ID/passport on the test day?

Accepted Answer

If you do not bring the passport/Turkish ID you used for your IELTS registration on the test day, you cannot attend the test in any way.

You cannot attend the test with a driver’s license, student ID, and transportation card. Photocopies or certified copies are not accepted.

Question 16

Is there a break between the sections?

Accepted Answer

No. Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of the test are always completed one after the other and without a break. When you take a break, the time continues and no extra time is given. You are not allowed to leave the test room during the Listening test, in the last 10 minutes of the Reading and Writing sections. Even if you finish your test early, your test will be invalid if you leave the room.

Question 17

What if my passport or Turkish ID change or lost?

Accepted Answer

If you’re issued with a new passport or Turkish ID after you’ve applied to take IELTS, please inform your test centre at least one business day before your test day to update your details.

Question 18

Will headphones be provided for listening test?

Accepted Answer

Evet, YALNIZCA IDP’de, bilgisayarlı ve kağıt üzerinden gerçekleşen IELTS sınavlarının Dinleme bölümleri için kulaklık verilir.

Question 19

What if I am late for the written parts of the test?

Accepted Answer

If you are late, you will not be taken to the test room after the written parts of the test (Listening, Reading, Writing) begin. Before your test, you need to check the time you need to be in the location in the confirmation email sent to you.*

* Confirmation emails may be delivered as spam/junk. It is the candidate’s responsibility to follow whether the mail has been received or not.

Question 20

What if I miss my Speaking test appointment?

Accepted Answer

If you have taken or will take your written parts of the IELTS test, but could not catch up with your Speaking test on time, we may have a solution for you.

If you miss your Speaking test and your test centre is available, you can take the test at a new time determined for you by paying the Speaking Test Transfer fee (200 Turkish Liras).*

Contact your test centre for fee and eligibility information.

* This right is given according to the suitability of the test centre. The suitability of the requests is determined by the test centre. Not every request may result in positive. It is not possible to transfer your Speaking test without paying the Speaking Test Transfer fee.

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What to expect in IELTS on computer test

Can I write my test entirely in capital letters?

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