IELTS test day requirements: all you need to know before taking your test

You will receive an email confirming your chosen time for IELTS Academic, General Training and UKVI. For Life Skills, you will receive an email no later than 24 hours before the test so that you know what time to arrive at the venue. The email will provide you with information about test day procedures and times. If you arrive late, you will not be able to take your test.

Your Speaking test may be offered on the same day as the other sections of the test, or up to a week before or after. You will receive notification in advance if your Speaking test is on a different day to your main test day.

You must bring the passport or national identity card that you used during the registration. 

You must use a black ink pen to complete your paper-based IELTS test, which will be supplied by the test centre. Personal stationery, including pencils, are not permitted in the test room. Only water in a transparent bottle without any label is allowed in the test room. 

You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor.  

If you do not switch off your electronic devices or keep them on you, you will be disqualified from the exam. All watches are also banned from the test rooms for all test components. 

Make sure you have something to eat and drink before the test. You will not be allowed to take food in the examination room and you may only bring water with you in a clear bottle without labels.

There will be a secure area where you need to leave all your belongings. The British Council is not responsible for loss or damage to your personal belongings at the test venue. Therefore, we strongly recommend leaving valuables like mobile phones and computers at home. 

Security at a British Council IELTS test venue is very important. As an additional measure, all participants will be required to register, which includes a photograph taken by IELTS administrative staff and a scan of your fingerprints. Be sure to check the instructions you were given when you booked your test.

The IELTS test location staff will check your identity when you arrive.

Please bring the same valid ID / identification document (national identity card or passport) you used when you booked your test. 

Invalid or expired ID / identification documents will not be accepted. If you cannot provide a valid ID, you will not be able to sit the test.

Your photograph will be taken on the test day as an additional security measure and will appear on your Test Report Form.

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections last approximately two hours and 40 minutes, and there are no breaks between sections.

Remember that the Speaking section can be taken on the same day as the other three sections and up to one week before or after the written test and, you will receive notification in advance if your Speaking test is on a different day to your main test day.

If you have any questions during the test, raise your hand to ask for help.

When you take the Listening test, check that you can hear the sound properly. Raise your hand straightaway and let the invigilator know if you cannot hear the recording.

Please remember that you will have ten minutes after the Listening section to fill in your answer sheet. You will not have ten minutes after the Reading section, so make sure that you write your answers on your answer sheet as you complete each section.

If you need to go to the bathroom during the test, raise your hand to attract the attention of the invigilator. Do not disturb other test takers.

Stay in your seat until the invigilator gives you permission to leave the room.

If you think that there have been any issues that may have affected your performance, tell the invigilator straightaway.

If you want to raise an issue or make a complaint, please ask your invigilator for a Test Day Incident Form to complete.

Find out when and how you can get your results on the IELTS results page.

Yes, you can take IELTS with us. The British Council in the Caribbean is committed to giving equal opportunities to all candidates. If you have a disability, illness, need a breastfeeding space or any other special requirement, find out what solutions are available and how to apply for them in our special arrangements page. Remember to contact us six weeks before your test to make any necessary modifications.