IELTS frequently asked questions

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, designed to assess the English language proficiency of individuals who wish to study or work in environments where English is used.

What is the test format and how long will it take?

IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test is held on the date you choose during your registration.

How many test locations are there in Turkey?

The British Council offers IELTS test in nineteen locations across Turkey. We have a range of convenient test dates in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Karabük, Erzurum, Bursa, Gaziantep, Karaman, Kayseri, Mersin, Samsun, Ordu, Mugla, Kocaeli, Manisa, Eskisehir and Tekirdag in Turkey.

Please visit this website for IELTS test dates.

How often can I take the test?

You may take the IELTS test as many times as you like. You can use the result of the test you prefer. 

However, as the IELTS centre, we strongly recommend you do additional study before taking the test again. You can use our free preparation resources for this purpose.

What is the main difference between Academic and General Modules?

IELTS test has two versions – Academic and General Training. The Academic test is typically for those who want to study at the tertiary level in programs which require an English proficiency score. General Training test is typically for those who want to do work experience, training programs, secondary school or migrate to an English-speaking country.

Every organisation sets its own entry requirements. In some cases, both versions of IELTS may be accepted. Check with the organisation you wish to apply to before you book your test to learn which module is accepted.

Who accepts an IELTS score?

IELTS is accepted by more than 12,000 organisations worldwide. These include universities, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies. IELTS is also accepted by the countries who require the English language abilities for immigration. 

You can visit our website to view the organizations that accept the IELTS test. In addition, you should also contact the institution you will apply directly for regarding the application criteria.

What help is available for disabled candidates?

Test centres make every effort to cater to the special needs of disabled candidates. If you have special needs, you can choose the special arrangements that suit you during registration. We will then contact you and request your medical report to support your registration. To take the exam with special arrangements, you can see all the requirements on our page here.

Is the IELTS test completed in one day?

The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other, with no break in between. You can choose the date of your Speaking test. The Speaking test may be taken on the same day or up to 3 days either before or after the test date. 

What can I bring into the examination room?

You must bring the passport or national identity card that you used during the registration. To complete your IELTS test, you must use a black ink pen, 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 electronics 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.

Use of headphones in Listening test

The Listening test in all IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer test can be taken with headphones.

While the use of headphones provides candidates with an individual and focused listening experience, it also helps minimize external noises in the test room. It is only personal experience that the use of individual headphones has a positive effect on performance in the listening section. Factors such as the content of the questions, the time given, and the evaluation of results are the same as in other tests without headphone use and do not affect the test outcome.

Headphones in IELTS tests are disinfected after each use.

Can I make notes on the Listening and Reading question papers?

Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper since the evaluation is based on your result papers.

What is the Speaking Test?

The Speaking test is a conversation with a certified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections and it takes between 11 - 14 minutes. It is recorded digitally. To learn more about the test format, please visit this website. 

If you wish to practice for the Speaking test, you can use this page.

What is Test Day Photography?

Security at IELTS tests is important to us. Certain test locations have introduced a new procedure for enhancing IELTS test security that involves taking and authenticating photographs of test takers on the test day. Under this new procedure, IELTS administration staff will take an individual, passport style photograph of all candidates present on the test day. 

IELTS test day photography is an important global initiative which requires all candidates’ cooperation and participation. If you have any questions, or this causes inconvenience on the test day, please notify our staff immediately. Refusal to follow our security procedures may result in candidates not being allowed to sit the test, and not being eligible for transfer of test date, and/or cancellation refund of any kind. 

Do I still need to submit another photo given that my photo is already taken on the test day?

No, you are not required to submit photograph(s) on your test application or on the test day. 

What do I need for the Speaking Test?

You must bring the same identification documents you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and used for the rest of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.

Where can I find more information about IELTS test registration? 

IELTS Test registration can be found on our website. You can register for a convenient date by visiting our online registration page.

You will receive an email with all the details within five to seven days before the day of your test. If you have not received any notification regarding your test 3 days prior to your test, please contact us. If you have not received any notification regarding your test 3 days prior to your test, please contact us at 0212 355 5657.

Which documents are required for application?

Your National Turkish ID or passport. Please note that only valid ID (with a recent photo) or passport (must not be expired) are accepted. For your IELTS test application, you must accurately record this information in our system during the registration.  

If you are going to take the IELTS for UKVI or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, you must upload your Turkish national identity document or passport during the application.

Our candidates who do not hold Turkish citizenship must attend the test with their passport (must not be expired). Resident and work permits are not a valid form of identification.

How can I register for a minor?

First, after selecting the appropriate test date from our registration page, you must register on the registration portal as the parent or guardian of the minor and save your personal information in our system. At this stage, you are asked to save your basic information such as email, a password you need to log into your IELTS account, name, surname, date of birth, contact information, address, and also you are asked to specify who you reserved this test for, you should choose “my child” option. 

Then, on the next page, you will be asked to save the personal information of the minor candidate. After this step, you need to save the underage candidate's information, check “Yes; I give my permission” option and complete the registration.

How long does it take to get the test confirmation e-mail?

After registering you will receive an automatic IELTS application summary e-mail including your test reference number. In the following few days or a few days prior to your test date, a confirmation e-mail will be sent.

If you register for the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, you can access the venue and time details of both your written and oral exams through this link by entering the ID number that you have used in your application.

For more information please contact Customer Services.

How can I make the payment for my test?

You can make the payment with a credit or debit card when you complete your online registration, or you can pay via bank transfer after you complete the registration.

If you will complete the payment via a bank transfer, please include the information below in the explanatory part of the payment.  

• Name and surname of the candidate
• Exam date
• Reference number that is shared with you on the registration portal

You can make the payment for your test to the account below.

İş Bankası

Galatasaray-Beyoğlu Branch

Branch Code: 1011

Account No: 1830108

Receiver: BRITISH COUNCIL EĞTHİZ.LTD.ŞTİ 

Swift Code: ISBKTRISXXX

IBAN Code: TR29 0006 4000 0011 0111 8301 08

After completing the test registration, you will receive a summary e-mail stating your test start time and test venue. 

Can I pay from abroad?

You can make your test payment from abroad. May we remind you that there may be extra charges when transferring money to Turkey. Please ask your bank before making the transfer.

Can someone else pay for my test?

Yes. However, the person who makes the payment must include the following information in the explanatory part of the payment.

• Name and surname of the candidate
• Exam date
• Reference number that is shared with you on the registration portal

I have paid for my test but did not receive any confirmation. What can I do? 

It may take 1 business day for your payment to reach us. If you still have not received a payment confirmation 3 days after making your payment, please contact us.

I have paid the test fee. How can I see the date, time and location of my test? 

All the details regarding your test date, time and location will be sent to your e-mail address after you complete the registration. You may also find your test details on your test taker portal. 

What should I do if I want to cancel my test or change the date?

If you cancel your IELTS test up to five weeks before (IELTS on paper) and up to 2 weeks before (IELTS on computer) the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee of 25% of the test fee.

If you need to change the date of your test from the date you originally booked, you can request a test day transfer up to five weeks before the test date for IELTS on Paper, up to 2 weeks before the test date for IELTS on computer, free of charge.

Please check this page or contact us for exceptional or special conditions.

What if I am sick on the test date or cannot come?

If you are absent on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. 

However, if you provide a medical certificate within 3 days after the test date, you will receive a refund, minus 25% of the test fee. Alternatively, you can pay the stated amount and postpone your test date.

However, if you send us a doctor's report via email within three days after the exam or submit a refund or test date transfer request with your doctor's report through the test taker portal, you can receive a refund with a 25% deduction or reschedule your exam by paying the specified amount for rescheduling.

For more information, please contact Customer Services.

Can I change my speaking test date?

Candidates can choose their Speaking test date for IELTS test; however, test centres have the right to change the dates for the Speaking test. You can contact us to change your speaking test date. We can help you upon availability. 

The IELTS for UKVI Life Skills speaking test time is assigned by the test centre. If you have any health problems with a medical certificate, or you are coming from a different country to take this test, you can let us know before the speaking test dates are assigned.

What if I am running late or could not take one part of my test due to circumstances beyond my control?

You should contact the British Council as soon as possible. The test centre may offer you options.

Can I attend the test with documents such as Driver’s Licence, Residence Permit, Work Permit or Student Card? 

No. The above forms of identification cannot be used to attend the test.

You can only attend your IELTS test with the document that you stated on your test registration (Turkish National ID or passport). 

If I do not have a Turkish National Identity Card, which document is accepted for the test? 

If you do not have a Turkish National ID Card, you can only register IELTS with your valid passport. Please note that expired passports cannot be accepted. 

Who determines the passing score for the IELTS test?

IELTS scores are evaluated on a 1-9 band system, and the valid criteria are determined by educational institutions or organizations. It is recommended to contact the institution you are applying to.

How can I send my results to institutions?

Additional Test Report Forms may be requested during the validity period of the exam. Documents are sent to the institutions or consulates, not to the candidates themselves. The electronic Test Report Form can be shared for free with registered institutions, but there is a fee for printed documents. For additional document requests, please contact ielts@britishcouncil.org.tr.

When can I receive my test results?

Paper-based IELTS results can be viewed on the candidate portal 13 days after the exam and will be sent to the specified address. Computer-based IELTS results will be posted on the candidate portal within 1-5 days; no printed document will be sent.

What should I do if I lose my Test Report Form?

Candidates who lose their paper-based IELTS results can contact us. Computer-based IELTS results can be accessed from the test taker portal.

How are the tests marked?

IELTS is scored on a 9-band system; each test is scored separately, and an average score is calculated.

What should I do if I think my exam result was calculated incorrectly?

If you believe there has been an error in scoring, you can request a review of the results (Enquiry on Results – EOR) within 6 weeks from the exam date. Payment is required, but if the score changes, the fee will be refunded.