IELTS FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions from past IELTS candidates which may help answer your query.

 

Q. Are there any age restrictions?

A. The IELTS test is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16. If you are under 18, we require permission from your parent or a legal guardian to allow us to capture your photo and finger scan during the registration process on the exam day. Please download an IELTS Consent Form, which can be found here. You must e-mail this form to the test centre before your test, or failing that, bring your completed Consent Form to your test. If you do not bring your form you will not be allowed to take the test.

 

Q. What identification can I use?

A. On the test day you MUST present the same identification document you used when you completed your application. You will not be able to sit your test without this ID. We cannot accept photocopies (even if they are certified copies from a solicitor) or letters from the Home Office. 

You can apply with a valid:

  • Passport (or authorised travel document)
  • EU ID Card
  • UK Residence Permit
  • ARC card (You must contact us in advance to ask for permission if using this type of ID)

 

Q.  I have sent my application but I haven't received confirmation of my test date - what should I do?

A. Confirmation letters are sent by email. Please ensure you have checked your email inbox and your junk inbox for your letter. IH Bristol processes a very high volume of applications so it can take up to one week for us to process your application and send you your confirmation letter. If you still haven't heard from us after one week, please email us at ielts@ihbristol.com.

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Q. Can I cancel or transfer my test

A. For cancellations requested 14 days or more before the exam date, you will be entitled to a full refund.

For cancellations requested less than 14 days before the exam date, you will be entitled to a 75% refund.

For cancellations requested less than 2 days before the exam date, you will not be entitled to a refund.

We can transfer your entry free of charge if requested 14 days or more before the exam date. If the request is made less than 14 days before the exam date there will be an additional fee (25% of the exam fee) to make the transfer. Transfer requests less than 2 days in advance of the exam day will not be accepted.

 

Q. I have not received my test results - what should I do?

A. Test results are posted from IH Bristol by first-class post on the 13th day after the test (unless candidates have requested to collect them). Please allow up to two weeks for them to reach UK addresses and three weeks for international addresses before contacting us. All undelivered results should be reported within three months of the test date. After three months, we will not be able to issue replacements.

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Q. Can I check my results online?

A. You can check your results online on the 13th day after your test (this is usually a Friday) from around 10am onwards. You will need to provide the following information to access your results:

  • Test date
  • Date of birth
  • ID document number
  • Candidate number (given to you during registration on Saturday morning)

Click here to check your results online now.

Results are available to view online for up to 35 days after your test. If you experience any problems accessing your results then please email us at ielts@ihbristol.com.

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Q. Can I collect my results?

A. If you would prefer to collect your results from the Bristol IELTS office, you can do so during our visiting hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm - 4pm. All collection requests MUST be emailed to ielts@ihbristol.com before the results are released.

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Q. Can I send someone else to collect my results for me?

A. Yes you can. In order for us to release your results to a friend/relative you will need to:

  1. Download, complete and sign an authorised collection form
  2. Ask the person collecting to also sign the form and then scan and email it to ielts@ihbristol.com before collection
  3. The person collecting should then bring with them a copy of this form along with their passport / EU ID card

Download an authorised collection form here.

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Q. I have lost my test report form - what should I do?

A. We can only issue one test report form to each candidate and an additional four to educational institutions, government agents, professional bodies or an employer free of charge (postage not included). Any additional certificates after the first five will cost £20. 

 

Q. How do IELTS band scores relate to the Common European Framework (CEFR) levels?

A. For information on this, please read What do IELTS scores correspond to the Common European Framework?

 

Q.How do I make a complaint?

A. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the IELTS service you have received from the IELTS Test Centre at International House and wish to make a complaint, you can do so by sending a letter to our office detailing the problem. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the test day itself, please ask an invigilator for a candidate complaint form and fill it in before you leave the test centre.

 

Can't find the answer to your question? Give us a call on +44 (0)117 906 7665 or email us at ielts@ihbristol.com.

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