Here are some quick tips for practising your English and
taking the test.
Practise for confidence
Practise your English language skills with the Official IELTS Practice
Materials or through other books or courses.
Download the Information
for candidates booklet (PDF, 935KB) to understand
more about the test.
Read, speak and listen to English as much as you can.
Practise speaking English with your friends.
Use radio, television and the web to read and hear different
English texts.
Arrive on time to the test
Double check the
time and date of your test and allow plenty of time to travel to
the test centre.
If you are late, you may not be allowed to take the test.
Make sure you drink water and eat healthy food on the day of your
test.
Try to be calm and relaxed
Get a good night’s sleep before your test. Don‘t cram your
study.
Try to remain calm at the test centre. The centre staff will be
friendly and assist you.
Read the IELTS regulations before the test so you understand the
rules. (A copy is on your IELTS
Application Form (PDF, 273KB).
Understand the test format
To do your best, you need to know what to expect. Make sure you
understand the test format.
Look at the free sample test
pages to see the types of texts and questions.
Follow the instructions
Listen to the supervisor carefully and follow the instructions on
how to sit the test.
When you open your test papers, read the instructions first before
writing anything.
Don’t lose points for careless mistakes because you haven’t read
the question properly.
Stay aware of the time
Every test room will have a clock on the wall. Stay aware of
the time so you can complete all of your questions.
Each part has a number of sections. Allow enough time for each
section. Some questions have suggested time limits for you to
follow.
Do your best
If you feel yourself becoming worried, take some deep breaths to
calm down.
Work calmly, focus on the questions, don’t rush your answers and
you will do your best.
For more information on taking the test, see Frequently asked questions.
