10 Myths about IELTS Exam

IELTS exam is the most reputed and well-recognized exam for over 11,000 institutions globally. IELTS exam is getting trending day by day because of the people’s interest in starting their new life in countries like Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, many people guide about this exam to improve the success rate of an individual, but sometimes the students get misled by the myths and fallacious information.  

Are you looking for genuine facts and myth busters? Then let’s dive deep into some of the IELTS test myths which aren’t told by the best IELTS coaching centres and look into the facts.

1. All modules of IELTS test are different for IELTS academic and general training.

No, it isn’t true. There are two tests in IELTS exam, i.e., listening and speaking, which are identical for all the IELTS candidates, but reading and writing are different for both IELTS academic and general training. Also, only one writing task, i.e., Task-2, is the same for both IELTS academic and IELTS general training.

2. IELTS result comes after two weeks.

The duration of issuing the result depends on the mode of the exam. If the exam was given in pen-paper mode, then the duration of the result is exactly after 13 days, and if given by computerised mode, then it takes around 3-5 days after the test. And the duration is the same for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

3. 7 Band is necessary to pass the IELTS exam

No, the score must meet one’s organizational requirements. The score demonstrates a person’s skills in English. Some organizations may accept 6 Band score, or some may accept overall 7 Band score as their work or study environment needs that much competency in English. It depends upon the eligibility criterion of various universities or institutes.

4. IELTS TRF has a lifetime validity

The IELTS TRF, also known as the Test report form, doesn’t have a lifetime validity; in fact, it has only two years of validity from the test date. So the score will also be valid for only two years from the IELTS exam date.

5. Always write more to score well.

In IELTS writing, this can completed regarded as a myth for nearly any exam one take. In the IELTS essay writing, the most important thing is to be relevant and precise while answering the questions. The IELTS exam tests one’s ability to represent the answers in a lucid and coherent way. And most of all, sentence structures also matter.

6. IELTS exam can be taken only one time.

Well, this may surprise everyone, but there is no restriction on taking the IELTS test multiple times in a year. One can take the exam as many times as they want, no matter what they scored previously.

7. IELTS course is necessary before taking the exam

There is no such criteria for signing up for an IELTS course from an IELTS institute before taking the exam. IELTS preparation helps one to familiarise with the pattern of the exam in a systematic way and will also help in polishing one’s English language skills and hence will improve one’s IELTS score too. It will somehow build one’s confidence to ace the exam.

8. The pen-based and computer-based exam differs.

The content of the IELTS exam in both modes is the same. Even the format in both the modes is the same too, and time allocation is also the same.

9. A good accent is necessary for the IELTS speaking test.

What? No, the examiner will not expressly point out one’s accent because the examiner already knows the test taker’s nationality. So, keeping that in mind, the examiner will respect one’s accent, and hence one need not change their accent while speaking.

10. Reading is the most difficult module.

Well, in case of IELTS academic reading and IELTS general reading, it certainly depends on one’s ability to observe and understand the author’s opinion and ideas. Every module can be difficult or easy, depending on one’s understanding of what they read.