You can register and pay online or download an application form to print, complete and submit to your local test center. Don’t forget to provide a copy of your valid identity document. You will also need to present the same identity document on the day of the test. To register, you first need to find your local IELTS test center. They will help you to complete your IELTS registration.
They will advise you of whether you need to take the general training or academic module. They will also provide you with an IELTS application form to complete, or you can download this from the official IELTS website. You will need to complete the application form and sign it. You will also need a copy of your passport (or national identity card — check with your center if this is accepted) and two recent passport sized photos, which are signed on the back. You cannot wear glasses in these photos.
You’ll need to return the IELTS application form to the center with your payment in order to complete your IELTS registration. You’ll need to check with the IELTS center about any other methods of payment by post. Once your IELTS application form has been processed, your IELTS registration is complete and you will be contacted about an IELTS examination date.
You will need to take the same ID you used to register (i.e. your passport or national ID card) to the test. In some cases, you can complete the IELTS application online, but you will need to check this with your local center to see if they provide this service.
Let’s understand the registration process in following steps-
You want to go for General or Academic, decide- There are two forms of the test: the Academic module and the General Training module. The Academic module is generally taken by people who want to study at an English-speaking college or university. The General Training module is generally taken by people who wish to migrate abroad, for example to the UK or Australia.
However, some training courses require the General Training module, not the Academic one. Check before you take the test.
Need to find the nearest IELTS center- There are over 800 centers around the world, so there should be one near you. There are test centers in over 130 other countries. You can find a full list of test centers with contact details for each one at www.ielts.org.
Register yourself- IELTS is offered all year round and some test centers offer the test as often as twice a month, so you might be able to choose several possible dates. Just be sure to register early so you get the date you want as dates often fill up quickly.
Take along right documents to register- You will need to give the test center a completed application form, two recent passport size photographs which are in color and identical, and a photocopy of your passport or national identity document, which should still be valid when you take the test.
Pay for the test. The fee varies, but it is currently around USD185 in the USA, GBP115 in the UK, AUD317 in Australia and around 12 thousand in INDIA.
Bring the right materials on the day of the test. Bring your passport or national identity document. You will also need to bring pencils, erasers, and pens to write with.
Wait for your results. These will be available 13 days after the test the given. In some cases, the result can take more than 13 days.
What happens at exam center-
When you arrive at the test center, there will be staff there to assist you. Make sure you arrive on time. If you miss your appointment without good reason then you may have to re-register and pay again. You must bring with you the same identification that you used when you registered for IELTS. If you do not have this with you, then you cannot sit the test.
The normal procedure is to take the listening test first, followed by the reading, then the writing, and finally the speaking. This may take the whole day, depending on when you are allocated to take the speaking test. However, please note that sometimes the speaking test is on a different day, either before or after the other tests. So always check carefully in your correspondence from your test center.
There will be an invigilator in the listening, reading and writing test to tell you what you need to do, so just follow their instructions. There will also be instructions in the test papers that you should read carefully and follow. Put your hand up and speak to someone if there is anything you are not sure about, but the invigilator cannot help you with the questions in the test. In the speaking test, it will be just you and the examiner.
Again, just follow their instructions. At the beginning, you will be asked for your identification so make sure you still have this with you. You are not allowed to have a mobile phone or any other items with you during the test. The only thing you are allowed is pencils and a rubber. Of course, during the test, you are not allowed to talk to other candidates, copy other’s work, eat or drink, or leave the room.