If you’ve given any standardized test before, then the experience is very similar. But if this is your first experience for giving an international exam, then this article is perfect for you. The following details will prepare you for the exam day.

1. Pre-requisites.
2. What to bring with you.
3. Getting to the exam center.
4. Walking you through the process.
5. Exit and closing thoughts.
6. Anxiety reducing tips.

1-Pre-requisites

There are a few pre-requisites that can slightly alter your exam day experience, so let’s get them out of the way.

First of all, keep in mind how you booked your test. Did you use your national identity card or your passport? This is important.

Secondly, take note of when your speaking test is. It can be booked for a separate date or in the same day as the rest of your test. It is mostly recommended to book it on the same day unless you need to prepare more for speaking.

2-What to bring with you

If you booked your exam with your original NIC (National Identity Card) then bring that, otherwise it is always recommended to bring your original passport with you along with a few colored copies in case you get asked to submit them.

Should you bring stationery? No, the examiners will provide you with a piece of paper with instructions on it and a pencil to write with, even if your exam is computer based. You can use that paper to take notes but you will have to hand it back to them. They will also take their pencil back from you.

Do you need a watch? No, digital watches are not allowed inside the exam center. You will be asked to leave them in a locker outside the exam room.

Can I bring my phone and wallet? Yes, a sperate locker will be provided for you to keep your things locked and safe inside it. Just make sure you are wearing clothes with secure pockets so you don’t lose the locker key by accident. Phones are not allowed in the classroom though, if you get caught trying to bring it in (which you will because they frisk you), then you risk your exam and your dignity. Suffice to say, just listen to the instructions of the examiners and be honest. Being a jerk will get you nowhere.

What about food and water? You can bring it and keep it in the waiting area, but you will not be allowed to bring any edibles inside the exam room. Some centers are strict and may not let you bring any food even in the waiting area, call and check in with your exam center. All exam centers provide you free water from a cooler and clean toilet facilities are also available.

What type of clothes should I wear? Something comfortable with secure pockets, you will be sitting there for more than 3 hours (including waiting time) so be prepared. Business casual attire is recommended.

3-Getting to the exam center

Make sure to get proper sleep before the exam day. Make it a priority to take care of your health as going to the exam center while being sick can negatively affect your performance. Try your best to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before your exam time. This is necessary because the process of your identity verification can easily take 15+ minutes. And you may also have to navigate a lot to actually find your exam center.

You do not need to go there an hour or more before. Too much waiting will exhaust you before your test has even started. In any case, just be prepared for a lot of waiting. And be very patient if there are any delays on the examiner’s part. Remember, you’ve paid to be there. You are the VIP. Just be calm and let the professionals do their job.

If you get lost, just call your center and ask them for navigation. They will assist you in getting to the examination center.

When you get to the exam center, quickly verify your test date and identity by checking in with the front desk. They will check your passport and tell you to wait in the waiting room.

4-Walking you through the process

Usually, there’s a lot of waiting while the examiners set things up and make sure your exam room is ready to go. While waiting, feel free to hydrate but don’t drink too much water. You don’t want to hit the can (toilet) every hour during the exam. Make sure to use the rest room before your exam, if the need arises. There may be other test takers, usually it is a good idea to socialize with them and lighten the mood. If you are introverted, it could prepare you to get over your anxiety and prepare you for the speaking test. If you are not comfortable then keep to yourself.

Now, depending on which comes first for you, Speaking or the other components, the examiners and admin will call you into a separate room to verify your identity. You will be asked to take off your glasses if your wear any. Then they will ask for your Passport or CNIC (better to bring both). Hand it to them and let them verify it. They may ask for copies of your Passport or NIC, hand it to them if you brought any. They will usually hand your ID back to you after verification.

Then they will take your picture, just look directly into the camera. You will then be asked to sign a waiver which essentially means that you are responsible for the loss of any of your items among a few other instructions. Sign it and mark your attendance with the instructions provided by the examiners. Then you will be asked to hand over your belongings. Take them all out, including your phone and your wallet. One of the assistants may frisk you to make sure that you aren’t hiding any cheating material. Don’t be alarmed by this, they are just doing their jobs.

Next, you will be able to select a locker to put your belongings inside. Take the key from the locker, put your things in it, close it and then lock it. Keep the key secure in your pocket or grab it firmly in your hand, don’t lose it. You can gently pull the locker towards yourself to make sure that it is locked securely.

You will be escorted inside the exam room and seated in front of the assigned computer. Don’t touch anything until you are allowed to. Other test takers will follow behind you or before you by going through the same process, you will have to wait for them while sitting on your exam desk. As every test taker will be seated, an examiner will provide you with instruction papers and pencils. Take them and put them on your desk. You can read the instructions before the test begins.

When the time finally comes, an examiner will announce the start. You are now allowed to touch your mouse, click start and put your headphones on. There will be instruction videos before Listening, then Reading and then finally Writing in the same order, before each section begins. Watch them to learn how to take the test or skip them. (Watching them is recommended)

During the test, if you need to relieve yourself or answer to the call of nature, just raise your hand and ask one of the examiners to use the rest room. You will not be allowed to re-enter if 10 minutes pass and you’re not already back, so try to be quick. Note: Some centers DO NOT ALLOW TOILET BREAKS DURING THE EXAM. Call and check in with your center.

Listening will last 30 minutes and then you will have 2 minutes before the reading tutorial video appears so you can just skip to it. Waiting these 2 minutes to catch your breath and slightly stretching your neck is recommended. Close your eyes and rest them, they will be needed to hold a lot of focus for the next 60 minutes.

Make sure to stretch your hands before the writing test begins. Always read and follow any written or verbal instructions.

What if the exam room is too hot? Raise your hand and politely ask the examiner to lower the AC temperature or increase the fan speed and vice versa.

What if your chair is broken? Raise your hand and politely ask it to be replaced.

Do not speak loudly or think out loud in the exam room. Do not disturb the other exam takers during the exam. Do not look around or talk to the other test takers or you will be asked to leave. If you need to speak with the examiners, just raise your hand and be polite.

Depending on when your speaking test is scheduled, this entire process may repeat twice. It is simply better to be mentally prepared for a lot of waiting and admin procedures. If you are the first candidate then there will be less waiting, but if you have to wait for other test takers to go before you, then just multiply the number of candidates by 15, since that’s how many minutes a speaking test can last.

5-Exit and Closing thoughts

When you are done with your test, you can raise your hand and leave the exam center. If the examiner instructs you to wait, just sit and wait on your chair. You might have to wait for the other test takers to finish their tests too. Since you all start at the same time, and upon the finishing of the given time, the exam closes itself, you won’t have to wait for too long anyways.

Just make sure that you utilize all your time during the exam and recheck your answers. Once the exam window closes, you won’t be able to review them again.

When allowed, get up from your chair, go to your locker and grab your things. If you have the Speaking test afterwards, just wait in the waiting area. If all your tests have been completed, leave the exam center and that’s all. Don’t forget to collect your original passport and NIC from the admin’s desk if they had taken those from you.

6-Anxiety Reducing Tips

If this is your first time giving an internationally recognized exam, then it is very natural for anxiety to creep in and ruin your experience. However, this can be easily overcome.

• Keep in mind that you have paid to be there. So, in a sense, you are the VIP.
• The IELTS examiners, Assistants and Admins are very professional and they are trained to make you feel safe at all times. They are all also just humans, and are just doing their jobs. So, respect them and you should automatically feel calm by their behavior.
• The speaking examiners are usually female and are very polite. The whole exam is very light-hearted and your smile is always reciprocated.
• The examiners are usually very polite, and unless you disobey their direct instructions, there is literally nothing to worry about.
• There is no need to be embarrassed about any awkward behavior because for the examiners at the exam center, you are just a number. IELTS can be booked 24/7 which means that the examiners go through, meet and instruct 100s of candidates every week. They will forget about you even before your result is out (which only takes 1 day btw).
• There will be other test takers present in the waiting area, so feel free to socialize and share your feelings with them. It can help you feel more relaxed.
• While in the waiting area, try box breathing to calm your nerves. 4 second inhale, 4 second hold, and then release your breath in 4 seconds. This is a technique recommended by psychiatrists all over the world to anxiety patients.

And last but not least, best of luck 😀

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!