Common Questions

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Before the Test

1. What is IELTS?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It is the world's most popular English language test for higher education and global migration, with over 3 million IELTS tests taken in 2017. IELTS is accepted as evidence of English language proficiency by over 10,000 organizations worldwide. IELTS is recognized as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true-to-life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation.

2. Should I take the Academic or General Training Type?

There are two types of the IELTS test — the Academic type and the General Training type. Please refer to http://www.ieltscanada.ca/Training.aspx for a description of both Academic and General Training tests to aid in your decision. Please read this carefully as you will not be provided a refund if you choose the wrong test.

3. What do I need in order to apply?

Please go to http://www.ieltscanada.ca/TestDates and complete your online registration, upload a copy of your valid passport or Canadian Permanent Residence Card and make your payment. You will receive 30 Days Free Online IELTS Preparation with your successful registration.

4. How to register online?

Please go to http://www.ieltscanada.ca/TestDates (or click Online Registration button on the home page of http://www.ieltscanada.ca) and choose your preferred test date, location and type. Please read questions carefully and answer them one by one. You can choose “no” if they are not applied to you. Please be cautious with your personal information. For example, your full name should be exact as your ID and the order of your birthday is “day, month and year”. Confirm all your information before you submit.

5. How to upload ID document?

The only identification accepted for the IELTS test is either a valid Passport or a valid Permanent Resident Card. The scanned document must be smaller than 1600 x 1600 pixels, and the full size should be 1.5 MB or less. At present, only JPEG, GIF or PNG files are supported. You can edit and reload your ID until it is accepted by test centre.

6. How can I pay for the test?

Online payment can be made by debit or credit card, and an email link will be sent once you complete registration successfully. Forms of payment can be also downloaded from http://www.ieltscanada.ca and they are accepted through the mail include certified cheque, money order or credit card. If paying in person, please come to our main office: 332 Marsland Drive, Waterloo, ON. In person payment can be made by cash, debit or credit card, money order and certified cheque. Personal cheques are not accepted.

7. How do I know I’ve successfully registered for the test?

After you complete the application and payment, a registration confirmation email will be sent to you. A detailed confirmation email will be sent to you 5–10 business days prior to test day. Please ensure you bring the detailed confirmation with you to register on test day.

8. I’ve sent my passport to Immigration. Can I provide a copy on test day?

No. You must have original and exactly the same passport or Permanent Residence Card you used to apply with you on test day. The ID document you will bring on test day should be valid. If you have sent your passport to immigration, please make sure you retrieve it before your test day in order to sit for the test. Please contact help@ieltscanada.ca immediately if you need to update information.

9. I haven’t received an email confirmation what should I do?

Contact the IELTS Test Centre at help@ieltscanada.ca to confirm your email address with a Customer Service Representative. Confirmations are emailed 5–10 business days prior to test date.

10. How can I prepare for the IELTS test?

Please see http://www.ieltscanada.ca/Preparation for a complete list of study materials that are available for purchase. Online applications include 30 Days Free Online IELTS Preparation. An email link to the practice material is provided prior to the test date. Keep up-to-date — “like” us on Facebook, twitter and Weibo: IELTS Conestoga: Canada

Test Day

1. What time should I arrive on test day?

Registration begins at 8:15 am. You must arrive at the test venue by 9:15 am or you will not be admitted to the test. The test begins at 9:30 a.m. We encourage you to arrive early.

2. When is my speaking interview?

Speaking interviews are usually scheduled on the afternoon of the test day between 1:20 pm and 5:20 pm. All speaking interviews are usually completed by 6:00 pm. The exact time of the speaking interview will be provided on test day. This time is randomly assigned and cannot be changed. Please note that speaking interviews can be conducted up to 7 days before or 7 days after the actual test. You will be notified of your speaking time via phone call or email if you need to be scheduled for a pre-or post-test day speaking time. Please go to http://www.ieltscanada.ca/TestFormat.aspx for more details.

3. What do I need to bring on test day?

On test day you must bring the EXACT SAME valid ID you used to apply for the test (IELTS only accepts a Passport or Canadian Permanent Residence Card), your confirmation email, 2 HB or # 2 pencils, an eraser, and a pencil sharpener with a canister. You will be also allowed to have a clear bottle of water with the label removed. No other items will be permitted in the test room.

4. Will there be a secure place to store my personal possessions while I write the test?

A cloak room will be available to secure personal items during the test. Absolutely no personal belongings, electronic devices (smart phones, MP3 players, watches, iPods, etc.) or food will be allowed in the testing room. Any candidate who retains these in their possession will be disqualified. Please do not bring valuables with you on test day. Please note that IELTS assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen property.

5. I’m late for my test, or I missed my test. What do I do?

Candidates arriving at the test venue after 9:15 am will not be permitted to take the test. If you are late you will have to re-apply. There will be no refund or cancellations for the missed test. Please see refund and test day transfer policy at: http://www.ieltscanada.ca/Cancellation.aspx for further details.

6. What can I expect on test day?

Your test day photograph and finger scan will be taken at registration. The finger scan will be matched each time you leave the exam room and return to the exam room after every comfort break.

7. What is a finger scan?

A finger scan is used to confirm candidate identity. The finger scan uses an electronic scanner that does not contain any ink, liquid or chemical. The finger scan converts the image into a unique sequence of numbers that are then used for identification. The finger scan is stored as a binary reference that cannot be converted back into an image. A finger scan is not a finger print.

8. Why do I need to provide a finger scan and a photograph on test day?

IELTS is dedicated to protecting genuine candidates while ensuring the highest standard of customer care and the validity of test scores. Finger scanning and test day photography are security arrangements that provide protection for genuine candidates against fraudulent test takers. They also provide receiving organizations with reassurance that the person whose photograph appears on the Test Result Form is the person who took the test.

9. Can I refuse to take finger scan?

Refusal to comply with IELTS identity verification will prevent you from taking the test, and you will not be eligible for any transfer, cancellation or refund.

After the Test

1. When will I receive my results?

Results are available online 13 calendar days following your test. It may take until that afternoon for the results to become visible. Results can be viewed online for 28 business days after test result release date. Your TRF number is available on both the Test Report Form you receive and through the unofficial online result at the bottom of the page.

Paper-based copies of your Test Result Form (TRF) are mailed or express couriered 13 calendar days following the test date. Delivery time varies by carrier. You will receive only ONE original TRF for your personal copy. Express courier is strongly recommended as regular post cannot be tracked and may take up to 3 weeks for delivery. Please choose the express courier option at registration to ensure the secure and timely delivery of your TRF.

2. How do I order additional TRFs?

Test takers can order additional TRFs at the point of registration. To request additional TRFs after registration, please complete the Online Additional TRF Request Form.

If an additional TRF request is received by the main office before the test result is released, additional TRFs will be also sent on the 13th calendar day following the test day. If not, it will take 5–10 business days to process additional TRF request.

Test Report Forms are valid for 2 years after the test date. After this date additional TRFs will not be sent.

For further questions please contact trf@ieltscanada.ca.

3. What if I am dissatisfied with my results?

If you are dissatisfied with the results of your test, you may submit an “Enquiry on Results” form to have your scores reviewed. This request must be made within 6 weeks of the test date. Please refer to http://www.ieltscanada.ca/ResultsEnquiry.aspx to review the procedure.