IELTS General Training exam-day guide
IELTS General Training · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring the same ID document you used for registration
The name and number on your ID must match your registration record exactly. Passports are the most commonly accepted document for test centres outside your country of nationality; some centres also accept a national identity card. Acceptable ID types vary by centre and country, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted at your venue before test day. Expired documents are normally refused.
Print or save your confirmation and test centre details
Know the exact venue address, the entrance to use, and the reporting time. Many centres are in hotels, universities, or conference buildings with multiple entrances, and late arrivals are commonly refused entry. Check the provider's instructions for whether a printed confirmation is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Plan your route and arrival time
Aim to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time to allow for security checks, ID verification, and queuing. Build in a buffer for transport delays. Confirm with the provider the exact latest arrival time and what happens if you are delayed.
Leave large bags and valuables at home
Most centres provide only limited or no secure storage. Bags, coats, and personal items are usually placed at the back of the room or in a designated area, and the centre takes no responsibility for loss. Bring only what you need.
Check the rules on phones, smart watches, and notes
Electronic devices, smart watches, and any written or printed material are almost always prohibited in the test room. Devices must usually be switched off and stored away from your desk. Handling a device during the test can lead to disqualification. Confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Bring a clear water bottle if permitted
Many centres allow a transparent bottle with the label removed; some do not allow drinks at the desk at all. Confirm with the provider. Avoid bringing food unless you have a documented medical need approved in advance.
Bring pens and pencils only if the provider asks you to
Some centres supply stationery; others ask you to bring your own black pens and pencils. Confirm with the provider. Do not bring pencil cases, erasers with writing on them, or highlighters unless explicitly allowed.
Wear layers you can remove
Test rooms are often air-conditioned and temperatures vary. Wear comfortable clothing in layers, since you may be seated for several hours. Avoid clothing with large logos or slogans that could be seen as containing notes.
Eat a proper meal and manage caffeine
The Listening, Reading, and Writing papers run back to back with no break in many centres, so eat beforehand and drink moderately to avoid needing the toilet mid-paper. Confirm with the provider whether a break is scheduled between papers at your venue.
Review the format, not new content, the day before
Re-read the timing of each paper, the number of questions, and the answer transfer rules. Do not attempt to learn new vocabulary or grammar the night before; consolidate what you already know.
Prepare for the Speaking test slot
The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the written papers. Confirm your slot with the provider and check whether you must return to the same venue. Arrive early and bring the same ID.
Check accessibility or special arrangements in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, a modified paper, or medical accommodations, these must normally be requested and approved well before test day. Confirm with the provider that your arrangements are recorded and will be in place.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue address, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Re-read the test format and timing for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Do one timed section under exam conditions to check your pacing, then stop adding new material. Sort out transport and, if needed, accommodation near the venue.
Check that your ID is valid and undamaged and that the name matches your registration. Prepare your bag with only permitted items. If your Speaking test is on a different day, confirm that date and time. Get a full night's sleep; sleep debt hurts Reading and Listening accuracy more than extra practice helps.
Do a light review of task types and timing only: how many words Writing Task 1 and Task 2 require, how long each paper lasts, and how answers are recorded. Pack your bag and lay out clothes. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not attempt a full mock test the day before.
Eat a proper breakfast, drink moderately, and leave with a generous buffer. Arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time. Keep your ID in your hand for verification. Switch off your phone and store it as instructed before entering the test room. Use the toilet before the papers begin, since a break may not be available.
Follow staff instructions, present your ID, and sit only at the desk assigned to you. Check that your desk label matches your name and candidate number. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions about timing, answer sheets, and what to do if you need assistance.
Use the time before each section to read ahead through the questions. Write answers on the question paper as you listen, then transfer them to the answer sheet during the transfer time allowed at the end. Check spelling and singular or plural forms, since these affect marking.
Watch the clock and allocate time by passage rather than by question. Do not spend too long on one item; mark it and move on. Transfer answers as you go or in the final minutes, and make sure you do not leave blanks, since there is no penalty for a wrong answer.
Spend roughly 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2, and keep 2 to 3 minutes to check for obvious errors. Task 2 carries more weight, so do not sacrifice it for Task 1. Write legibly and stay within the word minimums.
Arrive early and bring the same ID. Speak clearly at a natural pace, ask for clarification if you genuinely did not hear a question, and keep talking rather than falling silent. Use the preparation minute in Part 2 to make brief notes.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID document specified by the provider and keep it with you throughout the test day. If your ID is lost, expired, or does not match your registration, you may be refused entry and no refund is normally given. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted at your centre.
Do not bring any electronic device, smart watch, or written material into the test room. Phones must be switched off and stored as instructed. Being found with a device or notes during the test can result in disqualification and cancellation of your results.
Follow all invigilator instructions about timing, seating, and answer sheets. Do not start writing before you are told to begin or continue after you are told to stop. Do not communicate with other candidates in any way during the test.
Do not attempt to copy from others or share answers. Suspected malpractice is investigated and can lead to cancellation of results and a ban from future tests. If you believe another candidate is behaving improperly, report it to staff rather than reacting yourself.
Breaks are limited and often unavailable between the written papers. Use the toilet before the test begins. If you must leave the room during a paper, you will normally be escorted and will not be given extra time. Confirm with the provider what the break arrangements are at your venue.
Each paper is marked separately, and the overall band is derived from the four skill scores. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question. Scores are typically available online within about 13 days for computer-delivered tests and about 13 days for paper-based tests, though timings vary, so confirm with the provider.
Your Speaking test may be scheduled on the same day or within seven days before or after the written papers. You must attend the time assigned to you; missing it can mean no score for Speaking. Confirm your slot with the provider in advance.
Results are valid for two years for most immigration and admission purposes, but receiving institutions set their own rules. Confirm with the organisation you are applying to how recent your test must be and whether they accept a specific test version.