IELTS Do’s and Don’ts: Exam Day Edition

You have prepared for months. You know your vocabulary, you've practiced your essays. But on exam day, nerves can lead to simple mistakes that cost marks.

Here is a quick-fire guide to the essential Do's and Don'ts for the IELTS exam.

Listening Section

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  DO read the instructions carefully. If it says "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS," and you write three, the answer is wrong.
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  DO use the time between sections to look ahead at the next questions.
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  DON'T get stuck on a missed answer. Guess and move on.
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  DON'T leave any blanks. You don't lose points for wrong answers, so always guess.

Reading Section

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  DO skim the text first to get the main idea before reading the questions.
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  DO keep an eye on the clock. You have no extra time to transfer answers. Write them directly onto the answer sheet (or screen) as you go.
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  DON'T read every single word. You don't have time. Scan for keywords.
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  DON'T panic if you see a word you don't know. Use the context to guess its meaning.

Writing Section

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  DO spend 5 minutes planning Task 2. A planned essay is always better than an unplanned one.
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  DO leave 3 minutes at the end to check for spelling and grammar errors.
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  DON'T write less than the word count (150 words for Task 1, 250 words for Task 2). You will be penalized.
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  DON'T memorize essays. Examiners can spot memorized answers instantly, and you will get a Band 0 for that part.

Speaking Section

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  DO expand your answers. Give reasons and examples. Avoid one-word answers.
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  DO ask for clarification if you didn't hear the question ("Could you repeat that, please?").
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  DON'T worry about your accent. As long as you are clear, accent doesn't matter.
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  DON'T use big words just to show off if you aren't sure how to use them. Accuracy is better than complexity.

General Exam Day Tips

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  DO bring your ID (Passport). It must be the same one you used to register.
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  DO bring water (in a transparent bottle without a label).
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  DON'T bring your phone into the exam room. It is a strict disqualification.

Conclusion

The IELTS exam is as much a test of your exam skills as your English skills. By following these simple rules, you avoid losing "easy marks" and give yourself the best chance of reflecting your true English ability. Good luck!

Check out our other IELTS resources and practice tests to help you achieve your target band score!