Frequently asked questions- IELTS

IELTS test users often have specific questions about how IELTS is designed or the way it works; answers to the most commonly asked questions can be found in the current IELTS Handbook and on the IELTS website www.ielts.org/candidates/faq. Here are some additional questions which are sometimes raised by teachers, researchers and other test users.

Why does an IELTS Test Report Form have a recommended 2-year validity period?
Why can’t the IELTS modules be taken as separate tests?
In what ways can the IELTS test be described as ‘integrated’?
Why isn’t there a link between the Reading and Writing modules?
Why aren’t the IELTS Academic Reading and Writing tasks more like university-level tasks?
Is IELTS culturally biased?
Why aren’t Speaking and Writing scores reported using half bands, like Reading and Listening?
Is there a risk of gender bias in the IELTS Speaking Test?
Is IELTS suitable for younger students below the age of 18?
How well does IELTS predict academic success?
On the IELTS test application form candidates are obliged to give personal information not directly relevant to taking the exam. Why is this compulsory?
Why do scores sometimes go down when retaking IELTS?
Is IELTS Reading speeded?
References and further reading