Choosing the right 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 pursue 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.

Contact the organization or institution to which you are applying to find out what it requires. Note that you must know which version to take when you complete the online application process.

Test format

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. Click here to learn more.

Whether you take the computer-based IELTS or the paper-based one, your speaking test is a one-to-one 15-minute conversation with a certified examiner. This could be done in person or on a Zoom call while you are at the centre.

You do the Listening test first followed by the Reading and Writing components of the test. Depending on the test center, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date if not held on test day.

The Listening, Reading, and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. If not held on the test day, for IELTS on Paper, the speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date, and for IELTS on the computer, it’s 5 days before and 2 days after the test date. A detailed email confirmation with Speaking Test time and location is provided three days in advance.

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

Yes. At the beginning, you hear instructions. Then you read section 1 questions, listen to section 1, and answer the questions. After the Listening section, for IELTS on Paper, you will have 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the answer sheet, while for IELTS on Computer, you do not have 10 minutes to do it.

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

Managing my registration and payment

Use the payment option in our website to make your payment.

For real time information, please refer to your registration portal or contact us for further assistance.

At the time of registration, please upload your passport or PR copy. Note that your driver’s license is not accepted for taking the IELTS test. If you have not uploaded your ID during registration, please ensure that it is uploaded in the next 24 hours.

If you have any trouble uploading your ID, please email a copy to: ielts@aolccollege.ca.

Test centers make 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, send us an email when registering. We may need three months to organize arrangements.

Please note that special accommodation is only available at our Mississauga centre. For such requests we need extra staff members and rooms which are not available in the other centres.

You should make your payment immediately after registration to secure your seat and so that we can confirm your registration.

Test day information

Yes, AOLCC provides headphones for the listening portions at all venues.

Only transparent water bottle with no label. 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 and pagers 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 keep it on you, you will be disqualified.

No. You must do it in pencil. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot register pen ink.

Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper.

Please refer to your registration portal as changes may be made at any given time.

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.

  • If you cancel your IELTS test registration more than 14 days before the test: 75% refund of total test fee
  • If you cancel your IELTS test registration within 14 days but more than three days before the test: 50% refund of total test fee
  • If you cancel your IELTS test registration Within three days of the test: no refund of test fee

You can also postpone your test if you apply 7 days before the test day and if you pay the administration fee ($85.00). It is not possible to postpone your test within 7 days to 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. Conditions apply, refer to IELTS cancellation policies for more details.