IELTS in Kazakhstan FAQ

Take IELTS with British Council anywhere in the world

	IELTS FAQ

Please find answers to frequently asked questions about IELTS exam. If your question is not here please contact us at exams@kz.britishcouncil.org.

		What is IELTS?

	IELTS is the International English Language Testing System which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 1.5 million tests in 2010 globally, IELTS is the world’s most popular high stakes English language proficiency test.

		Who owns IELTS and who writes the test?

IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and offered through over 800 test centres and locations in over 130 countries. International teams of writers contribute to IELTS test materials. Ongoing research ensures that IELTS remains fair and unbiased. Test writers from different English-speaking countries develop IELTS content so it reflects real-life situations.

		Why are there two versions of the test?

IELTS has two versions – Academic and General Training. The Academic test is for those who want to study at a tertiary level in an English-speaking country. The General Training test is for those who want to do work experience or training programs, secondary school or migrate to an English-speaking country. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.

		What is the test format and how long will it take?

	IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests

		What help is available for disabled candidates?

	British Council makes every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you have a special need, contact us when registering. Please note that we may need three months to organise arrangements.

		What if I need to postpone or cancel my application?

If you postpone or cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration charge of 20%.

If you postpone or cancel within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a medical reason. If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost of 20%.

Please fill in the Test Transfer/Refund form and return it with supporting documents to the British Council.

		What can I bring into the examination room?

You must bring only the passport/national identity card you used during the registration for the test.

You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you are found in possession of a prohibited item, you will be disqualified.

		What if I am absent or sick on the test day?

	If you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. However, if you provide a medical certificate *within 5 days of the test date*, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost of 20%. Please fill in the Test Transfer/Refund form and return it with original medical document to the British Council.

		When will I receive my test results?

Your Test Report Form is available 13 calendar days after your test date. British Council will issue your Test Report Form to you. Keep your Test Report Form in a secure place as you only receive one copy.

You can also view your results online. The results are displayed on the site for 28 days.

		What if I feel my test result is wrong?

You can apply for an Enquiry on Results procedure at our centre within six weeks of the test date. You must pay an enquiry fee, which is fully refunded if your band score changes. Note that IELTS Examiners and markers follow strict assessment guidelines and are regularly monitored. The IELTS testing process has the highest quality control procedures.

Please fill in an Enquiry on Results form, return it to our centre together with the original TRF and an enquiry fee of 60 GBP (payable in KZT).

		What if I need to send my results to the university?

You will be given one (1) copy of your test report form. Up to five (5) copies of your TRF will be posted to the relevant institution(s) you have listed on your IELTS application form. Regular postage is free of charge. Charges for courier services and/or overseas postage will be passed onto candidates. Additional TRFs beyond these five can be requested from our centre.

Please complete Additional TRF request form and contact our team.