Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I prepare for IELTS?
Your first step is to read ‘IELTS Information for
candidates’ – available at the UK Visa
application centre (VAC) in Abu Dhabi and
Dubai or the British Council in Sharjah or on
the IELTS website (http://www.ielts.org).
You can also purchase the IELTS Specimen
Pack and other published materials for IELTS
preparation from our registration points at UK
VAC in Abu Dhabi and Dubai or the British
Council in Sharjah.
The British Council teaching centres in Abu
Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah offer IELTS
preparation courses – find out more by
visiting our website
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/me)
2. When should I register?
There are fixed test dates throughout the year
published on our website
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/me) and this
leaflet. You must register at least 5 weeks
before your preferred test date.
3. How do I register?
To register, you must bring your original
passport (valid until the test date) , a copy of
your passport, two recent (not more than 6
months) identical passport size photographs
against a plain, clear background so that facial
features (eyes, nose & mouth) are clearly
distinguishable, head facing the camera with a
neutral expression, eyes open and clearly
visible (without spectacles), and a completed
application form, signed by you.
Please note:- The background colour in the
photograph and the colour of the clothes
must not be the same. The face must not be
covered. If there is a problem with scanning
the photos, we may ask you to provide
another photograph.
4. What ID documents are accepted on
registration and on the test day?
The following original, valid ID documents are
accepted and a copy of the same must be
attached to your application form on
registration. The number of this document will
appear on your Test Result Form (TRF).
• Passport
• Emirates National ID card and a copy of
your valid passport
• Labour Card issued by the UAE Ministry of
Labour and a copy of your valid passport
• Bedouin Card (with a Verification of
Identity form)
Please note:- Only the ID document whose
copy is attached to the application form will
be accepted on the test day. In certain cases, you
may be asked for an additional Photo ID.
5. How much does it cost?
The IELTS test registration fee is AED 850/-.
6. Do I have to do the whole test in one day?
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of
the test are conducted on the same day. The
speaking test may be scheduled either on the test
day or up to 7 days before or 7 days after the test
date.
7. What is the speaking test?
The speaking test is a one-to-one interview with a
certified examiner. The interview will be recorded
for evaluation.
8. What can I bring into the examination room?
You may bring pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener
and water in a transparent bottle. Mobile phones
and other electronic devices must be switched off
and placed with your personal belongings in the
area designated by the supervisor.
You must bring the same original ID document you
supplied when you registered for IELTS. This
document will be checked by the invigilators and
the speaking test Examiner.
9. When will I receive my results?
You will get your results 13 days after the test. You
may check your results online by logging on to
http://ielts-results.britishcouncil.org
Results will be available online for up to two weeks
after the official results have been released.
10. What do I get when I have taken the test?
You will get a Test Report Form (TRF), with your
overall score and details of how you performed in
each module. The TRF includes your photograph,
Date of Birth and your ID document number. You
will receive one personal copy but additional
copies may be forwarded to receiving institutions
upon request.
11. How soon can I repeat the test?
You may repeat the test as often as you wish.
However, you will not improve your scores merely
by taking the test several times. To improve your
score significantly you may need language
training.
12. What happens if I want to postpone or
cancel my application?
If you wish to transfer your application from your
registered test date, you must do so before the
cut-off date after paying AED 210/- for transfer.
You will be allowed to transfer only once.
If you choose to cancel your registration before
the cut-off date, you will receive a refund after
deducting 25% as administrative charges. You may
only cancel your registration after the cut-off date
for one of the five specific reasons identified in the
IELTS application form.
13. What happens if I am
absent on the day of the test?
You will lose your full test fee. However,
if you were sick on the day of the test and can
provide a medical certificate within five days of
the test date attested by the Ministry of Health
or Dubai Health Authority then your case may
be considered for a transfer or a refund. In case
of a refund 25% administrative charges will be
deducted.
14. What can I do if I am unhappy with my
result?
You can apply for an Enquiry on Results (EOR) at
the test centre, where you registered for IELTS.
You must do this within six weeks of your test
date. The fee for this service is AED 400/- which
is fully refundable if your marks change.
15. How can I send copies of my test report
form (TRF) to institutions?
Five TRFs can be requested to be sent by the
British Council to institutions such as
Universities, Boards, Government agencies,
Professional Bodies and Employers, within one
month of the result date for free. AED 50/- per
TRF will be charged after this until the expiry of
the validity of the TRF which is two years from
the test date.
If you wish to track the movement of the TRFs,
they can be sent by courier at an additional
charge of Dhs 75/- (courier within UAE) and Dhs
125/- (courier outside UAE).
Please note:- TRFs will not be sent to migration
or education agents.
16. Is IELTS accepted in the US?
Yes. More than 2500 American Universities and
Institutions recognise IELTS, including ‘Ivy
League’ universities, CGFNS and the US
Citizenship and Immigration Services.
17. What should I do if I have any more
questions?
Contact our Customer Services team by phone
or email at the addresses below. They will be
happy to help.
Abu Dhabi
Call Centre no. 02 6658778
information@ae.britishcouncil.org
Dubai
Call Centre no. 800 225522
information@ae.britishcouncil.org
Sharjah
Call Centre no. 800 225522
information@ae.britishcouncil.org