Test Day

You'll be sent an email confirming that we've received your application and test payment. It will also state the date you registered for and information about the test venue.

You'll also be sent a confirmation letter stating the test venue and time.

The test starts at 9:00. You need to arrive by 8:30. If you arrive later, you may not be admitted to the test that day.

ID checks take place at 8:30. Please remember to bring the passport whose number is stated on your application form. Without your passport you will not be admitted to the test.

For extra security, since June 2012 IELTS has introduced a new rule - photography on exam day. Your photos and all personal data will be used only for the IELTS test and stored securely to prevent misuse.

Photos will be taken by IELTS staff on test day, and this photo will appear on your certificate.

After the ID check, you must leave all personal belongings in the designated room. We strongly recommend not bringing valuables, mobile phones, etc. You may only bring your passport, a pen/pencil, and a bottle of water into the exam.

At 9:00 the test begins with a verbal welcome and instructions. Please listen to all instructions carefully. If you have questions, ask one of the invigilators. No breaks are given during the first three parts of the test.

The first part is Listening; it takes 30 minutes, and you need to answer 40 questions. The recording is played only once. After listening, you have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

The next stage is Reading; you have 1 hour to answer 40 questions.

The third part is Writing. You need to write two short essays (around 150 words for one, 250 for the other) within 1 hour. You should spend around 20 minutes on the first task and around 40 minutes on the second.

The Speaking part of the test runs between 12:30 and 18:00 and takes around 15 minutes. It's a one-on-one interview with an examiner.

Sometimes the Speaking part is held on a different day from the written parts. This can be arranged within seven days before or after the written part. In this case you'll be informed separately. Please note that candidates from outside the area take all parts of the test on the same day.

We recommend reviewing the Exam Day Procedure Guide before the exam