ABOUT IELTS

1. WHAT IS IELTS?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, which is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.

IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge.

2. WHICH ORGANISATIONS ACCEPT IELTS?

IELTS is accepted by more than 6000 organisations worldwide: universities, immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies. To search the complete list of these institutions, use the IELTS Global Recognition System.

3. ARE THERE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IELTS?

IELTS offers two versions, or modules: Academic and General Training. The Academic test is for those who want to study abroad. The General Training test is for those who want to emigrate to an English-speaking country and to work, to undertake training programs not at degree level, or to complete their secondary education. Candidates for both modules take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.

If you are in doubt about which module to take, contact the organisation you are applying to for their requirements.

4. WHAT IS THE TEST FORMAT AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

IELTS has four parts: Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one session and no breaks are given between these three parts of the test. The Speaking test may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, up to seven days before, or after, the other three test parts.  

5. HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR IELTS?

There are many things you can do to get ready for IELTS. You can:

Access the IELTS Free Sample Tests websites for self-preparation.
Prepare for IELTS with Road to IELTS, a set of on-line preparation materials from the British Council for the IELTS exam. It offers you a 30-hour FREE online tuition package to help you better prepare for the test. You can use your login to access Road to IELTS as many times as you like, from the day you receive your registration confirmation e-mail until 7 days after your IELTS test date.
Enrol in the British Council English Learning Zone (ELZ) and take an intensive 40-hour self-study IELTS course.

You will find more general information on IELTS at www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts

EXAM DATES

2012 Dates Registration deadline
21 JANUARY 11 JANUARY
18 FEBRUARY 08 FEBRUARY
31 MARCH 21 MARCH
21 APRIL 11 APRIL
12 MAY 02 MAY
30 JUNE 20 JUNE
21 JULY 11 JULY
04 AUGUST 25 JULY
22 SEPTEMBER 12 SEPTEMBER
27 OCTOBER 17 OCTOBER
17 NOVEMBER 07 NOVEMBER
08 DECEMBER 28 NOVEMBER

We reserve the right to make changes in the test dates and fees without prior notice. This does not apply however to candidates who have already registered.

EXAM REGISTRATION

1. WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER?

Registration takes place 10 days before the exam date the latest. However, please bear in mind that if there are many applications, places for each test date may be filled earlier than the indicated final deadline.

2. HOW MUCH DOES IELTS TEST COST?

The IELTS test costs GBP 103.50, payable in local currency: in GEL for candidates registering in Georgia and in USD for candidates registering in another country.  

3. HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE TEST?

To register for IELTS you should:

Enter your personal details into the Online Registration System. Please read the IELTS Registration Details before you choose the appropriate date and test module and start the registration.
When you have filled in the application form, print out the application summary and sign it.
You will then receive an automatic confirmation e-mail.

Bring in person or send by post to our office in Tbilisi the following documents, which must arrive on the 5th day after registering for the test at the latest:

- the signed print-out of your application summary,

- two recent identical photographs(3cm x 4cm), (Note: Before registering, please check the photo standards   . The photographs should be signed on the back with the name and surname of the candidate).

- a copy of your valid ID or passport; foreign candidates should apply with their international passport only (Note: In the relevant field of the application form, please indicate your ID or passport number and NOT your personal number)

- a copy of your bank payment receipt. (Note: We only accept payments made by bank transfer. Please make sure that the Candidate Name, IELTS and Exam Date are indicated in the Description field on the payment slip: e.g. N. Dolidze, IELTS, 24.09.2011.)

If payment is not made within 5 days, you will receive an automatic e-mail informing you of the cancellation of your registration.

When your application has been approved and paid for in full, you will receive the following information by e-mail:

- Confirmation of your registration

- Your IELTS Reference Number to Road to IELTS

TEST DAY

1. WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY OF THE TEST?

The test starts at 09:00 and candidates should be at the exam venue at 08:15.  
You must bring your original passport or National ID card and this must be the one you registered with. Please keep in mind that Student IDs, Office IDs and driver’s licences are not accepted. If you do not have the correct passport or ID card you will not be allowed to sit the test.
You must bring your own soft pencils (B or HB), pens, rubber and sharpener. You are also allowed to bring still water in a plastic bottle.
You are not allowed to bring into the test room any bags, books, papers, food, beverages, cameras, mobile phones, tape recorders or any other electronic devices. All your personal belongings will be placed in the designated area outside the examination room.
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are conducted on the same day. No break is given between the three parts of the test.

2. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM LATE FOR MY TEST OR ABSENT?

The British Council is not responsible for late arrivals on the day of the test. The exam will start at exactly 09:00 and candidates who arrive late for the Listening test will not be admitted. If you are absent on the test day due to ill-health or serious family problems you must submit evidence of your absence within 5 days after the test day. This also applies to lateness or absence at your Speaking test appointment time.

3. THE SPEAKING TEST

The Speaking test may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period of seven days before or after the other three test parts. You will be given sufficient notice of the date, time and place of your speaking test and, where relevant, you will be reminded of this on the main exam day. You should arrive at the speaking test venue 10 minutes prior to your scheduled interview time.
As for the main test day, you will be allowed to take the Speaking test only if you can show the passport or ID card that you registered with.

RESULTS

1.HOW DO I GET MY RESULTS?

Results will be available 13 days after the test. Candidates may collect their results in person from the British Council from 12:00 on the 13th day and, to receive your Test Report Form, you will need to show your ID or passport.
Results can also be sent by DHL express post to candidates who are unable to pick up their results in person. In this case, the candidate should cover the courier fee which is approximately: Tbilisi – 5 GEL; Georgia – 15 GEL; Europe and USA – 140 GEL.
You are also able to see your test results online on our website by using your candidate number, date of birth and Passport / ID number.
We cannot give details of results over the telephone or by fax or e-mail.
You will receive only one copy of your test report form (TRF) and replacement TRFs are not provided in case of loss.
British Council can send additional copies of your TRF to receiving organisations and institutions, whether in-country or abroad, but you will need to cover the DHL costs.
Institutions can also view a candidate’s score through the online IELTS verification service, provided that they have the candidate's TRF number.
IELTS uses a unique nine-point scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner – wherever and whenever the test is taken. Understand the 9-point scale better.

2. HOW LONG IS A TEST SCORE VALID?

An IELTS Test Report Form is valid for two years from the exam date.

3. HOW SOON CAN I REPEAT THE TEST?

The test can be taken as many times, and as frequently, as you like.

4. WHAT CAN I DO IF I AM UNHAPPY WITH MY RESULTS?

If you are dissatisfied with your results at our centre, you can apply for a re-mark of those modules you are not satisfied with by comleting an Enquiry on Results (EOR) form. This must be done within 6 weeks of the result being issued. A service charge of 60 GBP applies for this service and this will be fully refunded if there is a score change. Please note that the EOR process may take from 5 to 8 weeks.

CANDIDATE CANCELLATION AND TEST DATE TRANSFERS

You may cancel your exam or transfer your test to a different date only if you notify us at least 5 weeks prior to the test.
Cancel / transfer requests should be made by completing an IELTS Transfer and Cancellation form.
Cancel / Transfer requests are not accepted by phone.
Candidates who cancel the test 5 weeks prior to the exam will be refunded, but an administrative fee of 25% of the overall exam fee will be deducted.
No refund can normally be made for cancellations submitted within less than five weeks of the test date. A refund will only be made in this case if the candidate can justify that their ability to sit the test has been affected by serious personal illness or problems. A 25% administrative fee will also be charged in this case.

CANDIDATES WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

British Council Georgia makes every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. In collaboration with the University of Cambridge ESOL examinations we offer special arrangements to candidates with special needs (e.g. hearing, speech problems, dyslexia, etc.) when taking the exams. The exact procedure for each candidate will differ according to the nature and degree of the candidate’s disability.

Candidates who require special arrangements are asked to inform us by email 3 months before the test date with necessary medical reports. Please send your request to ielts.georgia@ge.britishcouncil.org

THE BRITISH COUNCIL COMMITMENT

The British Council is responsible for the administration of the exams. However, the British Council will not be liable for any delays or cancellations arising from reasons beyond our control. In such circumstances, British Council will take all necessary steps to ensure a return to normal operations in the shortest time possible.

SUGESSTIONS AND FEEDBACK

The British Council Georgia exams team is committed to giving you a totally satisfying experience of dealing with us and we therefore value your opinion of the efficiency of our service.

If you would like to make a comment or give us feedback on our service, please e-mail to: ielts.georgia@ge.britishcouncil.org

CONTACT US

BRITISH COUNCIL

34 Rustaveli Ave.

Tbilisi 0108, Georgia

Tel: +995 (32) 2 250407/ 2 988014

Fax: +995 (32) 2 989591

E-mail: ielts.georgia@ge.britishcouncil.org  

WORKING HOURS:

Monday – Friday: 09:30 – 17:00; break; 13:00 - 13:30