Should I take the Academic or the General Training module?
The Academic module is ideal if you want to study at undergraduate/postgraduate level or for professional registration. The General Training module is normally taken by those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or study at below degree level. If you’re still unsure, we advise you to check with the institution you’re applying to.
Does IELTS include American English?
IELTS is an international English test that covers all major varieties of English (American, Australian, British).
What topics are covered in IELTS?
A wide range of topics are covered and they are relevant and accessible to those wanting to study at university level. No specialist knowledge is required.
Are there any free sample questions available?
Yes. You can find free IELTS samples here.
Is the Listening paper different for Academic and General Training?
No. All candidates take the same paper.
What information will I get before each section?
At the beginning of each section, you will hear a short description of the situation you are about to listen to. This may give information about who the speakers are, where they are and what the general topic is. This description is not written on the question paper, so it is important to listen to it carefully.
Will I have time to look at the questions before I listen?
Yes. There is time to look at the questions before each set of questions. The voice on the recording will tell you which questions to look at.
When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS’, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?
Yes. Answers which are over the word limit will be marked as incorrect.
Will I lose marks for spelling and grammar mistakes in my answers?
All the words you will need in order to answer the questions will be given in the text. Remember to transfer your answers to the answer sheet with care. You will lose marks for poor spelling and grammar.
How long should I spend on each text?
You have 60 minutes to read three texts and answer 40 questions. You should spend about 20 minutes on each text. Make sure that you do not waste time worrying about questions you can’t answer – use your time sensibly to read what you can and answer as many questions as possible.
Where do I write my answers?
Write your answers on the Writing answer sheet. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question paper. The examiner will not see these.
Can I write in pen or pencil?
You can write in pen or pencil, but you must write clearly. You may erase/cross out and change parts of your writing, but you must make sure that your work is easy to read.
Should I write my answers in upper case (capitals) or lower case?
You will not automatically be penalised if all your letters are capitals. However, remember that punctuation is assessed in the Writing test and you may be penalised if it is not clear to the examiner where your sentences begin and end.
What can I take into the test room?
You can only take your identity document. The examiner will give you everything you need in the test.
Why is the IELTS Speaking test recorded?
The recording is needed in case your performance needs to be re-marked.
Is it a good idea to learn short speeches about my town or job by heart?
No, you should listen carefully to the examiner and just respond to the questions. If you say something you have memorised, you probably won’t answer the examiner’s question exactly.
What if I don’t know anything about the topic in Part 2?
The topics are carefully chosen to reflect common experiences, so you don’t need special knowledge to talk about them.