Frequently asked questions and answers

Q: Which organisations accept IELTS?
A: IELTS is accepted by more than 12,500 organisations worldwide. These include universities, immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies.

Q: Why are there two versions of the test?
A: There are two types of the IELTS test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training. The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts. Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test you take.

Q: Which version of IELTS should I do?
A: Please go to https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/what-ielts  and read the description of the Academic and General Training tests. Individual organisations have different requirements. Make sure you check which IELTS test the organisation you are applying to recognises. Note that you must know which version to take when you complete the online application form.

Q: What is the test format and how long will it take?
A: The IELTS test has four sections Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11-14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. You'll take the first three parts of the test on the same day, in the following order: Listening, Reading and Writing (there are no breaks between these tests).

*Your Speaking test will be held either on the same day or seven days before or two days after, depending on local arrangements.'You will be notified in advance if your Speaking part is held on a different day than the main test.

Q: Do you offer preparatory courses for IELTS?
A: We do not offer preparatory courses, moreover we do not offer any language courses that include live sessions or with teachers. However, we do help our candidates prepare for the test with our wide range of online resources.

Q: What if I need to postpone or cancel my application?
A: If you postpone or cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee of 25% of the test fee. If you postpone or cancel within 5 weeks of the test date, you are not entitled for a refund unless you have a medical reason. If an original medical certificate confirming illness on the date of the test is provided within five working days of the test date, together with the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form, the fee is refundable, minus an administration fee of 25% of the test fee.

Q: How can I register for an IELTS test?
A: You can register for the IELTS test only through our official page online. You can register for the type of the test you need once you click on the book now section.

You will notice that you are offered regular IELTS, UKVI IELTS and Life Skills A1 and B1.

*Please note that you need to confirm which IELTS test you need before making a reservation.

Q: What documents do I need before booking a test?
A: You must have a valid passport or National ID card to be eligible to sit an IELTS test. Please note that only valid ID (should not be included old photo) or Passport (should not be expired) are accepted.

*Please also note that you cannot book the test with your driver’s license or damaged ID/passport. 

Q: How much does IELTS cost?
A: IELTS has a set fee for its test. You can view the fees for each IELTS test at the address below: https://www.britishcouncil.al/en/exam/ielts/dates-fees-locations

Q: How can I pay for the test?
A: You can pay through bank, or online via a credit card for the standard IELTS test, UKVI and Life Skills A1 and B1.

Q: How can I pay online for an IELTS test?
A: Payment can be done via Test Taker Portal, within 2 calendar days from the registration date.

Q: Why can’t I see my schedule for the test?
A: You will receive your test schedule 5-7 days before the test date via email.

Q: What if I am absent or sick on the test day?
A: If you are absent 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 an administration fee of 25% of the test fee.

Q: Is the IELTS test completed in one day?
A: The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. The Speaking test will be held either on the same day or seven days before or two days after that.

* Read more on: UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TEST DAY.

Q: What can I bring into the test room?
A: Pen, pencil and eraser. You must bring the passport/national identity card you used on the IELTS Application Form to the test. You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones, pagers and electronic devices of any kind must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you do not switch off your phone/pager or any other electronic devices, or keep it on you, you will be disqualified. Personal watches are not allowed in the test room.'

*Read more on: UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TEST DAY.

Q: How is the Speaking part organized?
A: The Speaking test is a conversation with a certified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on an audio cassette or a digital recorder.

Q: What do I need for the Speaking test?
A: You must bring the same identification documents you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and used for the rest of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room. Personal items, including electronic devices and watches, are not allowed in the Speaking test room.

Q: How is the IELTS test marked?
A: IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. You receive individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and an Overall Band Score on a band scale from one to nine.

Q: When will I receive my test results?
A: Your Test Report Form will be posted to you 13 days after your test date. You are notified via email once your test report form is available. Keep your Test Report Form in a secure place as you only receive one copy.

Q: Can you send my results via email?
A: No. We are unable to share results via email, telephone or fax.

Q: What if I lose my Test Report Form?
A: Test Report Forms are valid for two years. Copies cannot be sent to test takers but IELTS team will forward anadditional Test Report Form to your relevant institution or embassy. Up to five copies will be sent free of charge (you can choose this while applying for the test. Please note that if you acquire additional copies after you receive the results, you will need to pay an administrative fee.

Q: Can I get additional copies of my IELTS results?
A: If you want us to send another copy of your TRF to a recognising organisation, in addition to the five you entered on your application, you will need to pay an administration fee of 5 EUR per copy to send it via airmail.
You will need to provide the institution’s address and fill in the "Application for Additional Test Report Form". Attach a copy of the bank payment for the additional TRF and send all the documents via email to examsalbania@britishcouncil.org . We will then send the TRF directly to the institution. You can view the bank details here.

Q: How soon can I re-sit the IELTS test?
A: There is no limit on sitting the test, if you have not reached the score you need, you can re-sit the next available session.
However, IELTS recommends you do additional study before taking the test again.

Q: What if I feel my test result is wrong?
A: If you would like to make an enquiry about your test results, you need to apply at the centre where you booked your test within six weeks of your test date. You can choose which sections of the test you want to have re-marked. There is a charge for an enquiry on IELTS test results, however this charge will be refunded if your score increases for any section of the test. Your result will normally be available in 2-21 days, depending on several factors including the number of sections requested for re-mark. You can read more on the enquiry on results process here. 

Q: I took IELTS more than two years ago. Can I get my Test Report Form now?
A: IELTS Test Report Forms are valid for two years from the test date. After this period has expired, it is not possible to issue any kind of confirmation regarding the test that took place.