Understand what happens on your test day | British Council United Arab Emirates

Please do not attend your test if:

You are under 14-day compulsory quarantine, stay-at-home order, medical surveillance or a self-quarantine order, as specified by the local authorities.
You have been in contact with any person suspected to be exposed to coronavirus; or
You have a cold, fever, are short of breath or have flu-like symptoms.

If any of the above applies to you, please email the test centre and we will reschedule your test at no additional cost.

On test day

In order to ensure safety and prevent the spread of Covid-19, health precautions are in place to protect both staff and candidates at our testing venues:

These include:

Self-declaration form: All test takers must sign a declaration form at the entrance of the exams area on test day to declare that they are eligible to attend the test session.
Test takers should not attend the test if: they are under a quarantine, self-quarantine, stay-at-home or medical surveillance order, as specified by the local authorities OR if they have a high temperature, persistent cough, difficulty breathing or other flu-like symptoms.
Test takers under 18 years have to get the declaration form signed by the guardian. The guardian will have to leave the test premises and return to collect their ward.
Temperature screening will be in place at all test venues. Test takers with symptoms of fever will not be able to take the test and will be asked to go home.
Social distancing measures must be adhered to – with staff and test takers always two metres apart.
All test takers should bring and wear a face mask that covers the mouth and nose. We may request to remove this for identification or other purposes. Staff and examiners will also wear a face mask on test day.
During the test, should any test taker display symptoms of high temperature, persistent cough, difficulty breathing or other flu-like symptoms, he/she will be taken to an isolation room and further medical advice will be sought as per local country legislations.
New hygiene protocols in place with sanitation stations in every test centre.
Masks should be disposed of carefully in designated bins at the end of your test session.
Test takers will have to bring their own stationery (pen, pencil and eraser), and this must be taken away with them after the exam - except for scratch paper, notes or workings sheets.
Test takers should limit their belongings to only essential items like a wallet / purse and mobile.

After your test:

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 less than 14 days after you took your IELTS test, you are requested to report this to your test centre by email. This will help ensure we can communicate with other test takers and follow government advice.

The health and safety of test takers and test staff is our number one priority. Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, the British Council will continue to follow all directives made by the local authorities. Our precautions will be kept under review and we will remain vigilant to the developing situation.

More information on protecting yourself from novel coronavirus (COVID 19) is available here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-f...

How long does the test take?

The Listening, Reading and Writing tests take 2 hours 40 minutes and there are no breaks between the parts of the test.

Your Speaking test may be offered on the same day as the other sections of the test, or up to a week before or after. You will receive notification in advance if your Speaking test is on a different day to your main test day.

Please note:

*In the computer-delivered Listening test, the timings are slightly different from the paper-based test. This is because the paper-based test requires users to transfer answers to an answer sheet. This step becomes redundant when answering directly on a computer.

Before the start of each part of the Listening test you will have some time to read the questions.
After the end of each part of the Listening test you will have some time to review your answers.
At the end of the Listening test, you will have 2 minutes to check your answers.
The timing of the Listening test is between 30 – 34 minutes.

What time should I arrive for my test?

You will need to arrive in good time for your IELTS test. You will receive an email at least three days before the test so you will know at what time your test starts.The email will also provide you with the procedures and timings on the test day. If you arrive late, you may not be allowed to take the test.

What do I need to bring into the test room?

You need to bring:

your ID / identification document
a pencil and a pen (a pencil will be needed for Listening and Reading)
an eraser

We recommend you bring:

a transparent bottle of water.

You will not be able to take anything else into the test room.

Switch off your mobile phone and any other electronic devices. You will be asked to place these with other personal belongings outside the test room.

All watches irrespective of their style and age are not allowed in the test room. You will be required to leave your watch with your belongings in the secure baggage area. There will be a clock at the test venue.

What do I do with my belongings on the test day?

There will be a secure area where you need to leave all your belongings. The British Council is not responsible for loss or damage to your personal belongings at the test venue. Therefore, we strongly recommend leaving valuables like mobile phones and computers at home.

When will I get my test day photograph taken?

Your photograph will be taken on test day as an additional security measure and will appear on your Test Report Form.

When is my identity checked?

The IELTS test location staff will check your identity when you arrive.

Please bring the same valid ID / identification document (Emirates ID card or passport) you used when you booked your test.

Invalid or expired ID / identification documents will not be accepted. If you cannot provide valid ID, you will not be able to sit the test.

What if I need assistance during the test?

If you have any questions during the test, raise your hand to ask for help.

When you take the Listening test, check that you can hear the sound properly. Raise your hand straightaway and let the invigilator know if you cannot hear the recording.

Please remember that you will have 10 minutes after the Listening section to fill in your answer sheet. You will not have 10 minutes after the Reading section, so make sure that you write your answers on your answer sheet as you complete each section.

If you need to go to the bathroom during the test, raise your hand to attract the attention of the invigilator. Do not disturb other test takers.

What if I need special arrangements?

If you have asked for special arrangements as a result of a disability or other condition, adjustments will be made for you on the test day. Please contact our staff at the test venue six weeks in advance.

What happens at the end of the test?

Stay in your seat until the invigilator gives you permission to leave the room.

If you think that there have been any issues that may have affected your performance, tell the invigilator straightaway.

If you want to raise an issue or make a complaint, please ask your invigilator for a Test Day Incident Form to complete. This form needs to be submitted within one week of the test date.

The British Council takes your security seriously

Please note that security at a British Council IELTS test is very important. As an added measure, all participants will be required to have their photograph taken by IELTS administrative staff on their test day. Please make sure that you review the photograph instructions supplied to you after you have booked your test. Test centres will also take fingerprint scans.