1. Introduction

This guide takes you through three moments: the day before your test, the test itself and the last minutes before you enter the room. Read it once now, then read the checklist (section 11) again on the day before.

It gives general preparation advice and describes some official rules from the British Council, IDP and IELTS. Official rules differ between providers, countries and formats, so always follow your own confirmation email and your test centre’s instructions.

2. The day before your IELTS exam

The day before is for calm, simple preparation. Your English will not change much overnight, but your mood and organisation can.

• Read your confirmation email again. Check the date, the start time, the test centre address and any instructions. Your own provider’s email is the final authority.
• Check your ID. Bring the same ID document you used when you booked. Look at the name and the expiry date. If anything looks wrong, contact your provider before test day, not on the morning.
• Plan your journey. Know the route, the transport and how long it takes at that time of day. Leave extra time for traffic. Late candidates may be refused entry.
• Prepare what you are allowed to bring. Put your ID and confirmation in one place. Do not pack stationery, a watch or a phone for the test room unless your provider says you may (see section 9).
• Sleep and eat sensibly. Eat normal food that you know suits you. Go to bed at a reasonable time and set two alarms.
• Do not cram. Reread your own notes on timing, question types and common mistakes. Do one short light activity, such as reading your best writing plan or speaking for a few minutes. Then stop.

A useful rule: on the day before the test, review strategies, not new content.

3. IELTS Listening tips

Listening is played once. You cannot go back, so attention is your most important skill.

• Use the reading time. Before each section, read the questions quickly. Underline keywords and decide what kind of answer you need: a number, a name, a place, a reason.
• Predict. If a gap comes after “at”, you may need a time. If it follows “the”, you may need a noun. Prediction helps your ear find the answer.
• Expect paraphrase and distractors. The speaker may say one thing, correct it, then give the real answer. Listen for words such as “actually”, “sorry, I mean” and “on second thoughts”.
• If you miss one, let it go. Write nothing more, guess if needed, and return to the recording. Staying with a missed answer usually costs you the next two.
• Check the details. Spelling, singular and plural, numbers and dates all matter. Follow the word limit exactly, for example no more than two words.
• Stay with the speaker. Follow the flow of the conversation, not only single words. Use the short pauses to move your eyes to the next questions.

Paper and computer

• On paper, you write on the question paper and then copy to the answer sheet in the time given. Transfer carefully, because a copying mistake costs marks.
• On computer, you type answers as you listen, so there is no transfer step. Check your provider’s instructions for the review time and the tools on screen.

4. IELTS Reading tips

You have 60 minutes for three passages and 40 questions. On paper, no extra time is given to transfer answers, so write them on the answer sheet as you go.

Time

• Aim for about 20 minutes per passage. This is a guide, not a rule.
• If a question is taking too long, mark it, make a guess and move on. Return only if time remains.

Skimming and scanning

• Skim to understand the topic and the structure: read the title, the first lines of paragraphs and the last lines.
• Scan to find a particular name, number or keyword when a question asks for specific information.

Paraphrase

The questions rarely use the same words as the passage. Look for meaning, not only matching words.

Match the strategy to the question type

• True / False / Not Given (and Yes / No / Not Given): True means the passage agrees. False means it says the opposite. Not Given means the passage does not say. For Yes/No, the question asks about the writer’s views or claims. Do not use your own knowledge.
• Matching headings: read the paragraph for its main idea. Cross out headings you have used.
• Matching information: the answer may be a detail, so scan after you read the question carefully. A paragraph letter can be used more than once if the instructions say so.
• Multiple choice: remove clearly wrong options first. Check each remaining option against the text.

Before time ends

• Never leave a blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
• Check word limits and spelling.

5. IELTS Writing Task 1

Task 1 is about 20 minutes and needs at least 150 words. Plan for a minute or two before you write. Clarity and task achievement matter more than long sentences.

Academic Task 1

• Read the title and labels so you know exactly what the visual shows: what, where, when, and the units.
• Find the main trends, big differences or most important features.
• Write a clear overview in two sentences, with no numbers.
• Choose a few key comparisons and support them with accurate figures. Do not list every number.
• Report facts only. Do not add reasons or opinions that the data does not show.
• Leave two minutes to check grammar, spelling, tenses and word count.

General Training Task 1

• Decide who you are writing to and why. This sets your tone.
• Cover every bullet point. Missing one is a clear loss of marks.
• Choose the tone: formal for a stranger or authority, semi-formal for someone you know slightly, informal for a friend.
• Organise: opening line with your purpose, one paragraph per main point, a clear closing and the correct sign-off.
• Check that your purpose and all the required details are clear to the reader.

Good Task 1 answers are planned, clear and complete. Spend your first minute deciding what you will say.

6. IELTS Writing Task 2

Task 2 is about 40 minutes and needs at least 250 words. According to the official IELTS website, Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score, so give it the larger share of your time.

• Read the whole question twice. Underline the topic and the instruction words.
• Find the question type and every part to answer. For example, a two-part question needs both parts answered.
• Plan. Spend about five minutes: your position, two or three main points and an example or explanation for each.
• Write focused paragraphs. One main idea per paragraph. Explain it, then support it with a clear example.
• Link naturally. Use linking words where they help the reader. Too many sound artificial.
• Choose clarity and accuracy. A simple word used correctly is better than a difficult word used wrongly.
• Manage time. Stop writing with three to five minutes left.
• Check. Look at grammar, spelling, punctuation, and whether you answered the exact question.

7. IELTS Speaking tips

The Speaking test is a conversation with an examiner and lasts about 11 to 14 minutes. Speak naturally and clearly. It is not a memory test.

Part 1: introduction and familiar topics

• Answer the question first, then add a reason or a short example.
• Avoid one-word answers, and avoid long speeches.
• Use true and relevant examples from your life. It is easier to speak about what you know.

Part 2: the topic card

• Use the one minute well. Write only keywords for each prompt on the card.
• Build a connected talk: introduce, answer each prompt, finish.
• Keep speaking until the examiner stops you. If you forget a word, explain it in other words. Do not try to recite a prepared speech.

Part 3: discussion

• Give an opinion, explain why and add an example or a comparison.
• Answer the question that was asked, not the topic you prepared.
• If the topic is unfamiliar, think logically and say what you think. Perfect knowledge is not needed.

Nerves and small mistakes

• Breathe, slow down a little and smile at the start.
• If you truly did not hear or understand, you may politely ask the examiner to repeat or explain. Do not do this on every question.
• If you make a mistake, correct it quickly if you can and continue. One small slip does not decide your result.
• Do not memorise answers. Rehearsed answers often sound unnatural and may not fit the question, while natural speech is easier to keep going. No guide can promise a band score.

8. Computer-delivered vs paper-based IELTS

The test content and scoring are the same. The way you enter answers and use your time is different. Test centres may differ, so follow your own instructions.

Do not assume that every centre has the same procedures or facilities. Read the instructions on the screen or paper before you begin, and ask the invigilator if something is unclear before the test starts. Official overview: IDP: how computer-delivered IELTS works.

9. What to bring and what to expect

Rules vary by test provider, country, centre and format. Do not rely on a general list, including this one. Your confirmation email and your centre’s instructions are the rules for your test.

• Identification: bring the ID you used when booking. Providers check it on arrival and may check it again for Speaking. Without the correct ID you may not be allowed to take the test.
• Confirmation and instructions: keep your confirmation email available, as your provider asks.
• Arrival and check-in: arrive early. Expect ID checks, your photo being taken and a place to leave your belongings. British Council Bangladesh also states that fingerprint scans are taken at its centres.
• Belongings: leave bags and valuables at home where possible. Phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and kept outside the test room. Watches are not allowed in the rooms of the providers checked for this page.
• Pens, pencils and other materials: do not bring your own unless your provider says so. British Council Bangladesh states that the centre supplies the pen and that personal stationery cannot be brought into the test room. IDP states that paper and pencils are provided for IELTS on Computer.
• Food and water: food is not allowed in the test room. Rules for water differ (some providers allow only a clear bottle). Check yours.
• Test-room instructions and breaks: Listening, Reading and Writing are taken together without breaks between them, in about 2 hours 40 minutes (British Council Bangladesh). Use the toilet before you enter. If you need help, raise your hand. The Speaking test can be on the same day or a different day, as your provider tells you.

Official sources

• IELTS: on test day
• British Council Bangladesh: test day
• IDP Bangladesh: what to bring

10. Common exam-day mistakes

These are the mistakes I see most often in my classes, and what to do instead.

• Rushing through instructions. Read them. They tell you the word limit and how to answer.
• Spending too long on one question. Guess, mark it and move on.
• Losing focus after a missed answer. In Listening, the next question is already coming. Look forward.
• Ignoring the word limit. A correct answer with too many words can lose the mark.
• Not answering every part of a Writing question. Underline each part, then tick it off in your plan.
• Using memorised Speaking answers. They sound unnatural and often do not fit the question.
• Using difficult vocabulary incorrectly. Use words you can control.
• Leaving answers unchecked. Keep a few minutes for review wherever the format allows.
• Panicking after a small mistake. One error is small. Breathe and continue.

11. Final checklist

Tick these before you leave home and again before you enter the test room. If your provider’s rules differ from this list, follow your provider.

12. Final advice from Mujakkir

I have taught IELTS since 2021, and what I see again and again is simple: students who prepare steadily, manage their time and stay calm do their best work. You do not need to be perfect on test day. You need to read carefully, think clearly and keep going.

Check the instructions, answer the question that is asked, and be accurate before you try to be impressive. Trust the practice you have done. Be consistent in your preparation and kind to yourself on the day.

No guide, teacher or website can promise a score. This page cannot either. What it can do is help you walk in prepared. Good luck.

For my step-by-step exam-day routine, a list of dos and don’ts, and my extra tips for the Writing test, read Class 35 of my course book (Book 3) on the Resources page.

Follow your own provider’s current instructions for every official rule.