What happens on test day

We’ve started testing again, so want to reassure you that your health is our priority and we’re putting measures in place to ensure your safety on test day.

Test days can be stressful, so we’ve detailed what happens from start to finish so you can turn up knowing what to expect, feeling confident and ready to do your best.

Before leaving home

  • If you’re showing symptoms of Covid-19 including having a cough, fever or shortness of breath, or have recently been in contact with someone who is, please stay at home and rebook your test
  • Bring: A face covering with you.

Leaving home

  • Check the route so you know where you’re going and how long it will take
  • Bring: Valid ID (the passport or EU identification card you booked your test with. For Israel locations, only passport accepted))
  • Don’t bring: any valuables, as you’ll need to leave your belongings in the designated area.

Arriving at the test centre

  • The registration opening time will be provided in your confirmation letter, but arrive early to give yourself plenty of time – if you’re late you will not be able to sit the test and will lose your test fee*
  • As part of registration, you’ll have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned (except Israel)
  • We’ll ask you to complete a health declaration form and your temperature will be checked before you’re allowed to enter the test room. If you’re showing symptoms of Covid-19, you’ll be asked to go home and rebook your test.
  • Our test centre is regularly sanitised and hand sanitiser is provided. Our staff will also be wearing face-coverings and other PPE.

*Medical emergencies – if you missed your test day because you were unwell, you’ll need to send us an authorised medical certificate within 5 days of the test.

Sitting the test

  • The starting time of your test will be provided in your confirmation letter
  • Apart from your pen/pencil and ID card, you can only take water in, so make sure you’ve eaten beforehand
  • Our desks are placed 2 metres apart to ensure social distancing
  • The Listening, Reading and Writing sections last a total of 2hrs 45 minutes with no breaks
  • Your Speaking test will be held on the same day

After the test

  • Stay in your seat until the invigilator says you can leave
  • Tell the invigilator right away if there were any problems that affected you during the test. Any complaints received after the results are released will not be accepted
  • Collect your belongings on the way out

Your results

  • Your Test Report Form will be available 13 days after the IELTS on paper test – you will have it posted to you and you will see it online in your Test Taker Portal
  • If you have taken IELTS on a computer, your results will be available in 3-5 days
  • Your overall score will be an average of your scores in each of the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking sections of the test – find out more about results here

Covid-19 measures

Please keep 2 metres apart at all times.

Hand sanitiser will be provided at our test centre.

Face-coverings are mandatory. All Test takers and Test day staff will be required to wear face-coverings. Other PPE can be used, like face shields and gloves. 

Our test centre is regularly sanitised.

You’ll be asked to complete a health declaration form. 

Your temperature might be checked.