October 13, 2021

Taking the IELTS exam is an important part of your journey whether it is going to university or college, getting a job, or immigrating to Canada. Don't let false information scare you and cause fear before test day.

• IELTS is harder than other tests

IELTS is no harder than similar tests such as CELPIP, PTE, TOEFL, or any other high-stakes test. The questions are simple and are intended to determine how well you can communicate in English. Like other exams, IELTS also requires preparation and the best way to begin is by familiarizing yourself with the test format. We recommend you use the Achievers IELTS practice materials which help you to get ready for test day.

IELTS is trusted by over 11,000 organizations throughout the world because it is a fair and high-quality test. This is why it is the only test accepted by Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand for immigration. It’s the only English test accepted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for international students looking to come to Canada under the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Always check with your Canadian educational institution to make sure they accept IELTS.

• IELTS marks you harder on your first test, so you have to re-take the test

There is no truth to this; on all IELTS tests, you will be assessed fairly and against the same criteria. Examiners are unaware whether this is your first or second test, therefore they have no bias against you. We want you to do well on your first test and achieve your goals. The easiest method to achieve this is to familiarize yourself with the test and practice it. There are a number of resources you can use to help you understand the format and get used to official IELTS questions.

• I will lose marks if I don’t speak with a British, American, or Australian accent

This is not true. You are not expected to change your accent for your IELTS test. Our professional examiners have been trained to recognize a variety of accents. In your speaking test make sure you take your time and speak clearly. You are allowed to ask your examiner to repeat a question if you did not hear it the first time. You will not be penalized for doing so.

• It’s impossible to get a high band score in IELTS

The band score you'll need is determined by the organization to which you're applying. Make sure to verify with your company to determine the score you'll need. Some test-takers will require an IELTS band of 5-6, while others would require a band of 7 or higher. With IELTS, a high score is feasible, and many test-takers earn an 8 or higher each year. The more preparation you do for test day, the better your chances of getting the score you want.

IELTS Progress Check is a good option if you wish to take an official practice test before the test day. You will practice on official IELTS questions, receive feedback, and an indicative band score using IELTS Progress Check, hence you will know where you stand and where you need to improve yourself before the test day.

• You should write more than the specified word limit

There is a word limit in the writing section that must be met, and it is important to note this as you will lose marks if you write less than the limit. Task 1 requires 150 words and Task 2 requires 250 words.  You can write over the limit however this will not result in extra marks. The main focus is you read the question carefully and make sure you answer the key points, use correct grammar, and a range of vocabulary.

• You can’t take IELTS more than once

You can appear for the IELTS exam as many times as you want, there is no limit. Hopefully, you will get your desired score the first time however if you need to take it again you can and will not be marked down for this.

• The Speaking test is biased as it is marked by Humans

Your speaking test is held by a human examiner rather than a computer because it is a true indication of how you interact in the real world. IELTS Speaking Test prepares you for future conversations.

IELTS test takers are not biased towards any test taker and will evaluate everyone equally on their ability to communicate clearly. 

• If I make the examiner laugh in the Speaking test I will get a better mark

Making a joke and smiling can help you feel relaxed in your Speaking test. It doesn’t mean you will receive a higher mark however it may help you perform at your best as you feel at ease and comfortable with your examiner. Remember they want you to get your best possible score as well and are there to help you not intimidate you.

• Certain IELTS test centers grade easier than others

All IELTS tests are marked by official IELTS examiners who are trained to be fair and impartial in their approach. To measure your level of English proficiency, there is a set of marking criteria. Hence, all the tests are marked to the same standard and different centers will not result in a different score.

• Computer-based tests are more difficult than written tests

The material and questions used in IELTS on computer and IELTS on paper are similar. Therefore, one is not easier than the other. However, if you are habitual of reading and writing tests on paper as compared to computers, you may find IELTS on paper easier. If you are comfortable with typing and using a computer, then taking IELTS on a computer may be the better option for you. We provide both alternatives to test takers at IELTS so that test-takers can choose options that best suit their needs

• Practicing on official IELTS preparation will help you achieve a higher score

Any exercise you do will help you better understand the test, types of questions, and requirements for IELTS. This will help you to get your desired score. There are many resources to help you with your preparation. We have a variety of free example task questions, a paid official practice test, and plenty of recommendations on our social channels Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You just need to type Achievers 9 Bands for your desired information on any of our social channels.

• Studying is unnecessary since English is my mother tongue

The test takers who take IELTS speak English as one of their main languages, this will definitely help them on test day. However, we always recommend our test takers to study for IELTS no matter how fluent they are. Studying the test format, understanding the question types and what to expect will help them and they can better prepare for their test and achieve desired band score.

Taking the IELTS exam is an important part of your journey whether it is entering university or college, getting a job, or immigrating to Canada.  Don’t let the incorrect information scare you and cause panic before test day. Make sure you get your information from the official IELTS websites and our social accounts to help you prepare and perform your best on exam day.

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