A checklist for your IELTS test

For those of you who are about to take your IELTS test, here’s a quick checklist of things to remember. You’d be surprised at how many IELTS candidates forget to bring everything they need or forget what they need to do in a particular section of the test.

Remember to bring…

your identification, which in many countries has to be your current passport; (a photocopy of your ID is not acceptable)
your confirmation letter or test registration card (if you were given one when you registered)
pens, pencils, a pencil sharper, eraser and bottle of water

In the listening test, remember…

there are 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet when the recording ends
it’s important to write your answers clearly when you transfer them to the answer sheet
spelling is important
some questions have a maximum number of words and/or numbers, e.g. no more than one word and/or a number
you have to write your answers in pencil

In the reading test, remember…

there’s no extra time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet
it’s important to write your answers clearly when you transfer them to the answer sheet
spelling is important
some questions have a maximum number of words and/or numbers, e.g. no more than one word and/or a number
it’s important to manage your time: 20 minutes per text in the Academic module or around 20 minutes per section in the General Training module
you have to write your answers in pencil

In the writing test, remember…

you need to do both task 1 and task 2 (but task 2 is worth more marks)
it’s important to manage your time: 20 minutes for task 1 and 40 minutes for task 2
it’s important to check your writing when you’ve finished; you may find some spelling and/or grammar mistakes
you can write your answers in pen or pencil

In the speaking test, remember…

it’s OK to correct a mistake in your speaking if you notice you’ve made one
it’s OK to ask the examiner to repeat/explain a question if you don’t hear/understand it

We’ll add more points to this list if/when we think of them.

Good luck.

The e-englishteacher.com team

See our IELTS tutoring options to find out more about how we can help you improve your English for the IELTS test.