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# IELTS

- What is IELTS
- Who Accept IELTS
- How BCES Will Help You?
- IELTS Results Interpretation
- FAQ's
- IELTS vs. Other English Test
- Sample Test
- Register for IELTS Test
- Check Your Results
- Refund.Cancellation. Transfer.Postponement Policy
- Request Additional TRF
- Result Re-check
- Downloads for IELTS

# Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the IELTS exam structured?
   The IELTS test comprises four modules - listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.
   The total test time is 2 hours 45 minutes:
   1. Listening (30 minutes)
   2. Reading (60 minutes)
   3. Writing (60 minutes)
   4. Speaking (11-14 minutes)
2. The first three modules - listening, reading and writing - must be completed in one day. The speaking module is usually taken within the next three working days after or before the written modules.
3. Which test I should take, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (international English language test system) to study abroad?
   It depends on the country and college which you are applying to. However, there is a myth that students going to USA should take TOEFL and those going Australia or UK should take IELTS. It's not exactly like that. Australian High Commission in New Delhi requires IELTS to issue student visa. However, to get admitted in USA or UK, TOEFL would be more than enough if you have the mandatory score. In USA, maximum colleges need TOEFL but IELTS is gaining popularity among the US universities and Colleges now. So, which test to take (TOEFL or IELTS) or not to take at all depends on your choice of college/university and the country you are applying
4. What is the difference between the Academic and the General Training?
   All candidates are tested in four components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Listening and Speaking components are the same for all candidates, but the Reading and Writing components are divided into two modules: Academic and General Training. See IELTS Official Practice Materials or visit www.ielts.org
5. Which exam do I have to take, the Academic one or the General one?
   Generally speaking, if you are planning to apply for tertiary, undergraduate and postgraduate courses and for professional registration, you need to take the Academic Training module. If you are going to an English speaking country to complete your secondary education, or to undertake work experience or training programmes which are not at degree level, or for immigration purposes, then the General Training module may be more suitable.
   To be sure about which module to take before you apply for the exam, you should check the requirements with your prospective receiving institutions (academic institutions/government agencies/professional bodies/employers/sponsors).
6. What happens if a candidate loses their Test Report Form (result card) ?
   At any time within two years of the date of the examination, a candidate can apply to the centre which administered the test to be sent 5 copies of the original Test Report Form free of charge. These Test Report Forms will not be sent to the candidates themselves, but the universities abroad, Embassy and Consulate. For any further copies, there is an administration charge per copy. Please contact your test centre for further details.
7. What is the passing score in IELTS ?
   There is no pass or fail score in IELTS. Universities, embassies or receiving institutions may tell you the band score they require.
8. How are the scores processed ?
   All IELTS marking is done by certified examiners. Examiners are trained to understand the IELTS assessment criteria and are required to demonstrate that they are marking to standard before they are allowed to mark papers. Examiners are re-trained regularly to ensure that they are marking to the required standard. Systematic monitoring and double marking of a proportion of answer sheets is carried out at each administration.
   Get more information about understanding your test scores.
9. How do i know that my test will be marked Accurately ?
   All examiners are trained and recruited according to the strict guidelines set down by the University of Cambridge. Examiners are regularly trained and monitored to ensure that they award scores based on the candidate's performance on the test day. Examiners apply the same assessment criteria to each candidate to ensure fairness.
10. What happens if my address changes after I register?
    Make sure you inform the administrator on the test day if your address has changed. If this is not possible, contact your nearest British Council office.
11. Can an organisation or institution verify my results in any other way apart from receiving a trf ?
    All receiving institutions have access to an IELTS verification website which they use to verify your TRF. Organisations can verify the IELTS test scores here -- www.ielts.ucles.org.uk/ielts-trf/index.jsp
12. When will the candidate receive their results ?
    Under usual test circumstances, the candidates will receive their IELTS results 13 calendar days after the test.
13. How soon can candidates repeat the test ?
    There is no limitation on how frequently candidates can sit IELTS. It should be noted however that IELTS scores are not substantially improved merely by taking the test on multiple occasions. To significantly improve a score it is necessary to engage in further study of a serious nature.
14. What happens if a candidate wants to postpone or cancel their test ?
    Candidates who request a postponement or cancellation of their test within 5 weeks of the test date will normally be charged the full fee unless they are able to provide appropriate medical evidence to support their request within 5 days of the test date.
15. Is the IELTS test completed in one day ?
    The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and in this same order. The Speaking test can be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.
16. How many times will I hear the Listening test ?
    You will hear the IELTS Listening test only once. The test is given in stages and the audio pauses to give you time to read the next set of questions before it continues. There are four sections and you are given one minute at the end of each section to check over your answers etc.
    You write your answers onto the question sheet while you are listening and then at the end of the test, you are given ten minutes to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet.
17. Can I apply for as many times as I want ?
    Yes you can you should fill the form again, two photos and payment of every test you take.
18. What do I have to bring on the day of the test ?
    You must bring your passport or National ID card. You must bring the same document that you have indicated on the application form.
19. What happens if I am absent on the day of the test without giving prior notice ?
    You will lose your full test fee , unless you are able to provide appropriate medical evidence to us to explain your absence. Medical evidence must be provided no later than five days after the test date. Refunds will only be provided for serious illness and an administrative fee i,e 25% of the fee will be deducted from any refund. If your application for a test date transfer has been approved, you must select a test date within the next three-month period depending on availability in our centre. If you wish to transfer to a test date more than three months away, you should apply for a refund and then re-apply for the test.
20. Is there any age limit for IELTS ?
    IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.
21. For how long is a test result valid ?
    The result is valid for 2 years.
22. Is there a computer based version of the IELTS test ?
    Yes, a computerized version of IELTS called (CBT IELTS) is now available (currently in Delhi only).
23. What is the test fee and how do I pay ?
    Pay fees either by ----
24. Demand Draft
    Rs. 7600/- (Rupees Seven Thousand Six Hundred only), payable by Demand Draft, drawn in favour of ' IDP EDUCATION INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED'(for IDP Australia) or "BRITISH COUNCIL DIVISION" (for BRITISH COUNCIL), Payable at New Delhi.
    or
    Credit Card/ Debit Card
    (You have to in person visit any of the BCES offices to avail this facility) Rs. 7,600/- (Rupees Seven Thousand Six Hundred only) payable by Credit card / Debit card.
    or
    At ICICI Bank
    Rs. 7600/- to be deposited in the account of IDP Australia A/c no.: Please download the receipt from here.
    or
    IDP Australia
    A/c no.: Please download the receipt from here.
    or
    British Council: Please download the receipt from here.
25. What should I do if I am not satisfied with my results ?
    Candidates may apply for a re-mark (Enquiry on Results). This must be done within six weeks of the test date. The candidate may choose which modules are to be re-marked. There is a fee of Rs. 5,550/- (Rupees Five Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Only) for this service. The fee must be paid by Demand Draft drawn in favour of "IDP EDUCATION INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED", payable at New Delhi. The fee will be refunded if the result is changed. A re-mark can take six to eight weeks to be processed.
    In order for a re-mark (Enquiry on Results) to be processed, the candidate must return their original TRF along with a re-mark (Enquiry on Results) form which is available in "Downloads" section on this website. Once the re-mark (Enquiry on Results) has been re-marked, the result is final and no other re-mark (Enquiry on Result) for the same test/s is permitted.