Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions, answered here.
All computer-delivered tests provide headphones as standard. Test takers are not permitted to bring their own.
Paper-based tests do not require or use headphones. Audio is played on a loud clear centralized speaker.
Email the office if you have problems with booking or payment.
Include your full name, test date and location, and details of the problem. Provide screenshots if you can.
When you find a test on our Book a Test page, click “Book Now” to complete registration on the IELTS Essentials booking site.
If the test is unavailable on the booking site, it could mean:
- the last seat has just been booked and the system has not refreshed yet;
- or there is a technical error.
Please contact us to confirm if this session is still available for booking.
IELTS requires all test takers to have a valid ID document to write the test.
In Canada, IELTS accepts one of the following:
- an international passport;
- Canadian Permanent Residence Card;
- or Refugee Claimant Document.
You must have the original document and bring this on test day. Photocopies, temporary documents, or drivers licenses not valid forms of ID for IELTS.
Payment confirmation: We send an automatic payment confirmation to your registered email after payment is completed. This arrives within 30 minutes.
Test confirmation: Your test centre will review your application and send you a personalized test confirmation. This takes up to 3 business days to arrive.
If you booked the wrong test, please let us know immediately by email. We can edit the test module up to 24 hours after you complete registration.
If you contact us after this time, your test will be transferred and the regular processing fee will apply ($80).
If you made a mistake with your application details, such as your name, contact information or ID details, log in to your IELTS Essentials account to modify this information.
If you need to update your postal address, you must email the office directly. We use the postal address you give on your original test application only*.
(*Note: If you update the postal address on your IELTS Essentials account, it will only apply to future test bookings and your Test Report Form will be mailed to your old address.)
IELTS requires that test takers have a valid original identification document on test day. Photocopies, temporary passports, or drivers licenses are not accepted.
Please wait to register once your passport has been returned or use a Canadian PR card, if you have one.
Test takers who miss the transfer deadline for reasons out of their control, may request a new test date if they can provide reasonable evidence.
Log in to your IELTS Essentials account to modify your ID information or upload a new scan.
If your account is now locked, please email the office.
No home version of the IELTS test is currently available. Computer-delivered IELTS still takes place at an official test venue, in-person.
Check out our blog for news about IELTS developments.
IELTS centres are required to take your photo and finger scan as a security and anti-cheating measure. Please see here for more information on how we handle your data.
We take security very seriously. Criminal activity of any kind will not be tolerated. Please work with us to prevent security breaches and report any suspicious activity.
We respect your need for confidentiality. Data security is critical to our business.
Cheating of any kind is strictly not tolerated and will result in an instant, permanent and worldwide ban from IELTS centres.
Essential
- Your valid identification document. IELTS accepts any valid passport (from any country) or a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card. Photocopies are not accepted on test day and you must bring the original document. If you do not have either of these ID documents, please contact us before you register.
Optional
- Water bottle. There are limited drinking water facilities at most venues. Please prepare your own drinking water in a colourless, transparent bottle with all labels and writing removed.
- Stationery. You can bring 2 pencils and a clean eraser (no writing; wrapping removed). You may also borrow these items from your test venue.
Please make sure any jewellery or clothing does not cause disturbance/noise. Watches must be removed and stored with your belongings outside the test room.
All venues offer a place to store bags and jackets during the test. While this area is monitored by staff, it is accessible to all test takers and there are no lockable lockers available. Valuables are left at your own risk.
Preparing for your IELTS test is recommended. The amount of preparation you need depends on factors like your current English skills and minimum required scores.
At minimum, we encourage all test takers to learn about the IELTS test format and practice sample questions. See the Where can I find free preparation materials? tab below for more.
In addition, ILAC offers preparation classes taught by IELTS experts to help test takers achieve their best possible score.
Click here for sample test questions.
Try a practice computer-delivered test question below. The on-screen format matches what you will see on test day.
- Sample Listening Table Completion
- Sample Listening Flow Chart Completion
- Sample Listening Sentence Completion
- Sample Academic Reading Matching Features Task
- Sample Academic Reading Table Completion
- Sample General Training Reading Flow Chart Completion
- Sample General Training Reading Matching Headings
- FULL IELTS Academic Reading Test (60 mins)
- FULL IELTS Academic Writing Test (60 mins)
Check out our Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube for more tips and videos, or visit our blog for tips written by ILAC IELTS teachers.
ILAC offers test preparation classes if you would like to receive guided help from an experienced IELTS tutor. Classes are available in-person or online to suit all schedules and busy lifestyles.
A preparation course is not a necessary requirement for booking a test. Many test takers choose to prepare by themselves.
Preview your unofficial online scores here.
You will need:
- the ID document you used for your test;
- your full name and date of birth, as given on your original test registration.
The results you see online are a preview only. Online previews are not available for download or official use (for example, university or immigration applications).
Your official IELTS results are printed on a Test Report Form. This is a paper report of your results. Test Report Forms are valid for official use, such as applications to IRCC.
No. Test takers cannot view their answers any time after the test has ended, including when they receive the results.
IELTS General Training test takers receive two (2) copies of their Test Report Form as IRCC does not accept results directly from us.
IELTS Academic test takers receive one (1) copy of the Test Report Form. We can send your scores directly to the university or college you are applying to. Find out how to to this here.
Yes. You can ask for an Enquiry on Results up to twelve (12) weeks after your test date. Visit our Results page for more information on how to apply.
Yes! We can send your IELTS results to any academic institution in the world.
How do we send results? Institutions either accept results electronically, or by mail. Contact us for information on how we will send your results. Include the name of your institutions.
For international and US institutions that only accept results by mail, we offer courier options at an additional cost.
Inform us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your test. You can request a refund/transfer up to 5 calendar days after the scheduled test date. In order to be eligible, please note you will need to submit evidence in the form of a letter or medical report from a physician (family doctor or clinic) proving you were unable to attend your test. See here for more details.
Our cancellation and transfer policy applies to every test booking, regardless of the date you register and complete payment.
For example, a computer test booking requires a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. If you register 7 days (1 week) before the test date, you are unable to cancel or change your test from the moment payment is completed, unless you contact us within 24 hours to report a mistake.
There is no limit on the number of IELTS tests you can take. However, we highly recommend you do not register for another test session before receiving your results and check our cancellation/transfer policy carefully before completing any payment.
Click here to find a new test date.
