Myths about the IELTS test debunked; don’t believe everything you hear

IELTS testing is an important part of your journey, whether it is for university or college admission, a job or to immigrate to Canada, and it should not be overlooked. Don’t let the incorrect information scare you or cause you to panic the day before your examination.

There are numerous sources of information for the IELTS test, and with that comes the possibility of false statements about the test, which can make you feel more anxious before your test.

1) The IELTS test is more difficult than other tests.

Compared to similar tests such as CELPIP, PTE, TOEFL, or any other high-stakes exam, IELTS is not significantly more difficult. The questions are straightforward and are intended to assess your ability to communicate effectively in English. Preparation is required, just as it is for any other test you may take, and the best place to begin is by becoming familiar with the test format. Use of the official IELTS practise materials is highly recommended in order to be well prepared for the test day.

More than 11,000 organisations around the world rely on IELTS because it has been determined to be a fair and high-quality test. As a result, it is the only test that is accepted for immigration to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries. As a matter of fact, it is the only English proficiency test accepted by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for international students seeking to study in Canada under the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Always double-check with your prospective Canadian educational institution to ensure that IELTS is accepted.

2) In IELTS, it is nearly impossible to achieve a high band score.

The band score required by the organisation to which you are applying is determined by them. Make certain that you check with your organisation to determine the score you require. Some test takers will need a band 5 or 6 in their IELTS, whereas others will need a band 7 or higher in their IELTS. It is possible to achieve a high score on the IELTS test, and many test takers do so on a yearly basis. The more preparation you put in before test day, the more likely it is that you will achieve the score you desire.

Taking the IELTS Progress Check before the test day may be a good idea if you want to take an official practise test before the actual test day. It is possible to practise on official IELTS questions, receive feedback, and receive an indicative band score with IELTS Progress Check, allowing you to know where you stand and what areas need to be improved before test day.

3) You are not permitted to take the IELTS test more than once.

There is no limit to the number of times you can sit for the IELTS exam. Hopefully, you will receive your desired score on the first attempt; however, if you need to retake the test, you may do so without being penalised for doing so.

4) IELTS gives you a lower score on your first test, requiring you to retake the test in order to improve your score.

There is no truth to this; you will be marked fairly and according to the same criteria on all IELTS tests, regardless of which one you take. Due to the fact that examiners are unaware whether this is your first or second test, they have no bias against your test. We want you to be successful and receive the score you desire on your first test. The most effective way to do this is to familiarise yourself with the test and practise. There are a variety of resources available to you to assist you in understanding the format and becoming accustomed to official IELTS questions.

5) You should write more than the word limit that has been set.

There is a word limit that must be met in the writing section, and it is important to remember this because you will lose marks if you write less than the limit. Task 1 necessitates 150 words, while Task 2 necessitates 250 words. You may write more than the allowed number of words; however, this will not result in additional points. The most important thing to remember is to carefully read the question and make sure you answer all of the important points while using proper grammar and a variety of vocabulary.

6) If I do not speak with a British, American, or Australian accent, I will receive a failing grade.

This isn’t correct at all. You are not required to change your accent for the purpose of taking the IELTS test. Our knowledgeable examiners have been trained to recognise a variety of accents. Make sure you take your time and speak clearly during your speaking test. If you do not understand a question asked by your examiner and require it to be repeated, you are permitted to request that it be repeated and will not be penalised for doing so.

7) Humans are used to mark the Speaking test, which is a flaw in the system.

Because it is a true indication of how you interact in the real world, your Speaking test will be conducted with a human examiner rather than a computer. When you take the IELTS Speaking test, you are preparing for the conversations you will have in the future.

IELTS examiners are not biassed in any way toward any particular test taker, and they will evaluate everyone on their ability to communicate clearly. Other tests, such as those that rely on artificial intelligence and computers in their Speaking tests, do not prepare you for conversations you will have in the real world. More information on AI bias can be found here. AI has also been found to have issues with bias based on their machine learning.

8) If I am able to make the examiner laugh during the Speaking test, I will receive a higher score.

It is possible to feel more relaxed during your Speaking test by cracking a joke and smiling. Even though it does not guarantee a higher grade, feeling at ease and comfortable with your examiner may allow you to perform at your best. Remember that they want you to achieve the best possible result as well, and that they are there to assist you rather than intimidate you.

9) Practicing on official IELTS preparation materials will assist you in achieving a higher score.

Any preparation you put in will help you gain a better understanding of the test, the types of questions, and the requirements for the IELTS examination. The information provided will assist you in achieving your desired score. For your preparation, there are numerous resources available on the internet to help you. On our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, we provide a variety of free sample task questions, a paid official practise test, and numerous tips.

10) Some IELTS test centres are more lenient in their evaluations than others.

Each and every one of the IELTS tests is marked by an official IELTS examiner who has been trained to be objective and fair in their approach. There is a set of marking criteria that everyone must adhere to in order to determine your level of English proficiency. Therefore, all tests are graded to the same standard, and taking the same test at different locations will not result in a different score.

11) Tests administered on computers prove to be more difficult than written tests in 11 ways.

The content and questions used in both the computer-based IELTS and the paper-based IELTS tests are the same. As a result, one is not more difficult than the other. If you are accustomed to studying and writing tests on paper rather than on a computer, you may find IELTS on paper to be less difficult. It is possible that taking the IELTS test on a computer will be the better option for you if you are comfortable with computers and typing on them. At IELTS, we provide both options to test takers in order to ensure that we have options that meet the needs of everyone.

12) Due to the fact that English is my native language, there is no need to study.

A significant number of people who take the IELTS test consider English to be one of their primary languages. This will undoubtedly assist you on test day; however, we always advise our test takers to prepare for IELTS, regardless of how fluent their English is already. The test format should be studied, question types should be understood, and an understanding of what to expect will assist you in better preparing for your test and achieving your desired band score.

IELTS testing is an important part of your journey, whether it is for university or college admission, a job or to immigrate to Canada, and it should not be overlooked. Don’t let the incorrect information scare you or cause you to panic the day before your examination. Make sure you get your information from official IELTS websites and our social media accounts so that you can prepare for the test and perform at your best on the day of the examination.

NIL Team