Frequently asked questions

On the IELTS test application form candidates are obliged to give personal information not directly relevant to taking the exam. Why is this compulsory?
Some of these questions can play a role in establishing the candidate’s identity and thus contribute to the security and integrity of the exam. Otherwise, it is common practice for examining boards to collect demographic data about the candidature of an exam, as part of the process of ensuring the equity and fairness of the exam in relation to all candidates. It is important that the information be collected as comprehensively and routinely as possible, which is why it is an obligatory part of the IELTS application form.
The information is used by our Research and Validation department, who use samples of IELTS data to monitor the performance of test materials and for research purposes. It is important that we can know, for example, the range of first languages represented within a sample, whether it is balanced in terms of gender, whether it contains an unusually high, or unusually low, proportion of candidates taking the exam for particular purposes, etc. In some circumstances, we might even wish to compare the performance of two groups of candidates, distinguished by different characteristics, on the same material to confirm that the material is in no way biased for or against a particular group.

On taking IELTS a second time, the overall result may be the same, but there can be different band scores on the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing components. Why does this happen?

When candidates retake IELTS, it can be frustrating for them to see their score on one component improve and their score on another component go down, leaving the overall result the same. There are several reasons why this can happen.

One reason is the very nature of language learning. Language learning is a dynamic process involving both acquisition (improving ability in some aspects of language) and attrition (loss of ability in others). Between IELTS tests (a minimum period of 90 days) both of these processes take place and can affect score profiles. For example, a learner may improve their reading and writing ability, but lose some ability in speaking and listening. Sometimes, improvement takes place in those skills on which the candidate has focused for the retake but they may not have maintained their ability in the other skills.

Other reasons derive from the nature of tests and measurement. In addition to the candidate’s language ability, differences in test content across versions and other variables such as the test taker’s mood or state of health at the time can also affect their scores and contribute to unexpected variation.

Longer tests involving multiple components, such as IELTS, are generally considered more reliable since they give test takers more opportunities to display their true ability. We ensure the reliability of the IELTS test through rigorous quality control of test content and scoring procedures. Before appearing in a live test, all material is trialled with IELTS candidates to ensure that it is at the appropriate level of difficulty and operates as intended. Examiners involved in scoring Writing and Speaking are trained and certificated in a standardised manner and their performance is regularly monitored. We also re-mark the performance of any candidate whose score on Speaking or Writing is significantly different from their scores on other components.

Performance in the four skill areas is combined in IELTS to provide a maximally reliable composite assessment of a candidate’s overall language proficiency at a given point in time. The figures in the table below show that although the individual component scores achieve highly acceptable levels of reliability, the overall score is more reliable than the individual components. This means that changes in the individual component scores awarded across two test sittings are more likely to occur than variation in the overall band score for the test.

Table 1. IELTS test reliability by component (2003-2004)
Component Reliability

Listening 0.89

Speaking 0.86

Academic Reading 0.88

Academic Writing 0.85

Overall test 0.95

For more information on the reliability of the test, please refer to the page on test performance.

Candidates who are worried that their scores may not accurately reflect the quality of their performance are entitled to apply to their test centre for a partial or full re-mark. There is a charge for this service, normally around two thirds of the test fee depending on the test centre involved, though the charge will be refunded if the result is subsequently awarded a higher band score.