What kind of accents will I hear in the Listening and Speaking tests?

As IELTS is an international test, a variety of English accents are used in both of these tests.

Will the listening section provide me with all the necessary instructions and pauses?

Yes. At the beginning of the test, candidates receive instructions and hear a sample question. Next, candidates read Section One questions and then listen to Section One and answer the questions on the question paper as they listen. The same procedure follows for Sections Two, Three and Four. This takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. In the final ten minutes, candidates transfer their answers onto the answer sheet.

Is there a similar period of ten minutes at the end of the Reading test for the transfer of answers?

No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

Is there a break during the exams?

No, there are no breaks between the listening, reading and writing papers. Candidates are required to remain seated throughout (approximately three hours). Bathroom visits are allowed. This is an international security requirement.