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This is a collection of the most frequently asked questions. However, if you don't find the answer to your questions here, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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Where and when can I take the IELTS test? |
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In Switzerland, the test is held in our offices in Bern twice a month. For the exact dates, please have a look at our IELTS dates page. If those dates do not suit you, or we have no places available, the closest centres in other countries would be in Milan, Paris, and Cologne. Please get in touch with them to find out about availability of dates.
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You can repeat the test as often as you like, and you no longer have to wait before you can sit it again. You will also have to send us a complete application and pay the full fee again.
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How can I make sure that my first choice of date will work? |
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If you want to be absolutely certian that you can sit the test on a particular date, please get in touch with the IELTS Administrator. She will be able to tell you if there are still places available on the date in question, or if not, what your options are. |
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The test fee is CHF 320, and has to be paid in advance. We only accept applications which include proof of payment.
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Where can I do IELTS courses? |
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Please have a look at our Preparing for IELTS page. There you can find the possibilities that are on offer from us.
If you think you need some English training, we would advise you to contact your local language school, and ask if one of their teachers would be able to help you prepare for the test. Unfortunately, we don't hold any information on Swiss language schools. |
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Can I change my test date? |
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It is possible to change the date of your test up to five weeks before the test date. However, we will have to charge you an administrative fee of CHF 50. If you wish to change the date of your test less than five weeks before the date, we retain the whole fee.
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If you have special needs, please let us know in advance. We will do everything possible to organise the test day so we can provide support for you. |
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- For comparisons with other tests please look at the chart below:
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What mark do I need to go to university / emigrate to Australia / New Zealand / Canada? |
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Typical requirements for UK universities are as follows:
If you want to sit the IELTS test in order to emigrate to Australia or New Zealand, you usually need a 5 in every module. However, your situation might be different, therefore we would advise you to get in touch with the embassy or with your immigration officer.
If you want to emigrate to Canada, please have a look at www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-3-1.html, the Canadian Immigration Department's language requirements.
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What happens if I cancel? / Can I get my money back? / How do I get my money back? |
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If you have to / want to cancel your test, and do so not less than five weeks before your test date, you will be refunded the fee minus an administrative fee of CHF 50. In order to refund you the money, however, we need all your bank details. If you're not sure exactly what we need, please contact us. If you cancel less than five weeks before the date, you forfeit the full fee. |
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How much time does it take to sit the IELTS test? |
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The IELTS test takes a whole day. You start at 8.45 with the Listening module, which takes 40 minutes; then you continue with the Reading module, which takes an hour. You continue with the Writing module, which takes an hour. And in the afternoon, you do the oral exam, which takes 15 minutes. The time of the oral test could be anywhere between 12.40 and 17.30, depending on how many candidates there are. |
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We send the results to the address(es) you indicated on your application form on the 13th day after the test date, i.e. they should arrive on the 14th day after the test date (in Switzerland).
We have recently introduced a new service which will allow you to have access to your results online by using the following link. You will be able to do this on the 13th day after your test after 3:00pm.
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It is our policy, that listening and reading marks are double checked. Additionally, we automatically double mark papers or interviews of candidates whose writing or speaking marks seem to be out of the ordinary in order to guarantee a fair and accurate assessment. If you are not happy with your results, we would therefore advise you to repeat the test.
However, if you think that something went wrong with the marking, you have the option to ask for a re-marking. This procedure takes quite a long time (up to 8 weeks), as the papers have to be sent to London.
If you wish to have any part of your test re-marked, please download this form and fill it in using these instructions. Then contact the IELTS Administrator who will give you more details on the cost and how to proceed. Please note that a remark is only possible if your request for a remarking reaches us within 4 weeks of the results being issued.
It is not possible to repeat only one module of the test, i.e. if you are not happy with some of your marks, you will have to do the whole test again.
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How can I get the results sent to an institution? |
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For security reasons, we can't send you more than one copy of your test results. However, if you want us to forward your results to an institution, you can give us their address and we will send the results to them directly.
You can ask us to forward your results for as long as they are valid. This service is included in the test fee. |
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How long is the IELTS test valid for? |
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The IELTS test is valid for two years, i.e. it is very up to date and contains information about your language skills as they are at that point in time.
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