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Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I apply for the test

  Please click here for details on how to apply for the test.

• When can I apply for the test
  Click here to see if there are still places available.
  The latest you can apply is 1 week before the test, although test dates are normally fully booked well before. You may apply by post, by email or in person but it is important to consider that we operate on a first come first served basis. Please allow extra time for applications sent by post because it may be several days before we receive the application.

• How much does the test cost?

  The IELTS Test fee for 2012 is £125.

• Which version of the test should I apply for?

  There are two types of IELTS Test; the Academic module and the General Training module.
  If you are taking the test as an entrance requirement for a University or College course, or you are registering a doctor or a nurse, you will normally need to take the Academic module. In the UK the General Training module of the test is normally only for people who wish to emigrate to Australia, Canada or New Zealand, or for a Visa extension.
  Note 1: if you are applying for HSMP visa extension, most people take the General Training module but you can actually take either test
  Note 2: if you are planning to emigrate to Australia as a nurse, you will need to take the Academic module of the test.

• What time does the test start and finish?

  Registration starts at 08.30 and candidates are required to arrive at the campus reception by this time.   
  Candidates are then ushered to the cloakrooms and need to be in the exam rooms at 09.15 – anyone who does not register by 09.15 will not be allowed into the exam room.
  
  The Listening / Reading / Writing sections of the test last until approximately 13:00 – the Speaking exam takes place after this, scheduled between 13.15- 19.00, so candidates are advised to keep the whole day free.

• Do you need any particular level of English to be able to take the test?

  Anyone is welcome to take the test – it is designed to test English language proficiency from beginner to advanced levels.

• How will I know if my application has been accepted?

  Once we have received your application form with all the relevant documents, we will process it and if there is availability for your selected dates we will send you a confirmation letter. This letter will have the date, time, address and details of how to get to the campus where your test is being held. You should bring this letter with you on the day of your test, along with your Passport or National Identity card (NI - EU national only). Please note that it can take at least 7 working days after we have received your application for the confirmation letter to arrive.

• How do I get my results?

  Results are available on the 13th day after the day of the test.
  To collect your Test Report Form in person you need to come to our Acton Campus between 10:00 and 13:00 on the 13th day after the test. You must bring your passport or national ID card (NI – EU National only) with you to be able to collect your results.
  If the Test Report Form is not collected between these times then it’s sent by post to the address given in your application form. This takes approximately 5 working days for UK addresses. For overseas addresses please note that mail can take several weeks to be delivered internationally.
  You can get an online preview of your results on the 13th day after the test from the following website: https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/results. Please note that in order to see your results you will require the candidate number provided on the day of your test and the number of the identification document that you used to book your test.
  Please note that we are not permitted to give test results by phone, fax or email.

• How can I prepare for the test?

  There are four ways we can help you prepare for an IELTS Test:
  You can enrol on to our IELTS Preparation Courses
  You can purchase the official IELTS Practice Materials book from us for £15
  You can purchase an online mock test  which includes examiner feedback for £25
  You can purchase one month’s access to the learning centre at a cost of £15

• Can College/Schools book places for students?

  Yes, if they are arranging for a group of students to come in and do the test on the same day. They can also arrange to pay via invoice. Please email ielts@wlc.ac.uk for details and bookings.

• Does the test always take place at Acton Campus?

  No, we have campuses in Acton, Ealing and Hammersmith. Please refer to your Confirmation Letter for information about the venue of your test and directions for how to get there.

• Can I fax my application form?

  No, because we need a high quality photograph. We only accept applications by post, by email, or in person at one of our centres.
  Please click here for details on how to apply for the test.

• How much will it cost if I want more than one certificate?

  We can send extra certificates (up to 5) to government bodies, educational institutions or employers on behalf of candidates – to arrange this you need to fill in page 3 of the application form “Applications to Recognising Organisations” when you apply.
  Requests for further certificates, after the test date, are charged at £10 per certificate.

• Are there any breaks between listening, reading and writing tests?

  No breaks are scheduled during these tests.

• Once registered for an exam is it possible to cancel it and get a refund or sit it at a later date?

  We can offer refunds and transfers to candidates who request these at least 5 weeks before the test date, but a £25 administration fee is deducted. Within five weeks of the test date we are not able to offer any refunds or transfers.
  Please note that if you are booking a test which is less than 5 weeks away, we will not be able to offer any refunds or transfers.
  
  Transfers include transferring from one test date to another, or transferring from one type of test (Academic or General Training) to another.

• What if i'm not happy with my result?

  If you are not happy with your results then you have the option to appeal your results and have them re-marked by a senior examiner at the British Council.
  You will need to provide us with a £60 postal order, which will be a deposit.  If the results increase to a higher band then we will return the deposit to you. If they remain the same then we will charge this amount.
  You will need to provide the following, either by post or in person:

  1. A completed Enquiry on Results form (EOR) (available to download here)
  2. The original Test Report Form
  3. A £60 postal order, made payable to ‘Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College’

  Please note that re-marking requests can take at least 8-10 weeks to be completed.

• How do I obtain the practice materials?

  The Practice Materials are available for £15. This includes the book and an accompanying DVD and postage.
  You can request the Practice Materials when you apply for the test (total price £140), or order the Practice Materials separately by filling in a payment form for £15 (available to download here) and sending it to us by post or email.

• Do I need to a specific levelf of English to benefit from the Preparation Courses?

  Yes, IELTS preparation courses are short and designed to familiarise candidates with the test format and to develop good test techniques so that they maximise their score. Applicants need to be at upper Intermediate level (IELTS band 5 or 6) in order to benefit from the courses.
  If you need a longer course to improve your English language skills, the College runs a wide variety of English language courses at all levels at our campuses. 
  The phone number for general English language course enquiries is: 0800 980 2185.   

• Can someone collect results on my behalf?

  Yes, someone can collect results on your behalf. They need to bring with them their own passport, a copy of your passport, and a letter of authorisation signed by you.

• I won't have my passport on the day of my test. What should I do?

  Please note that on the test day you will be required to have your passport or national identity card (NI - EU National only) with you.
  

  However, if you will not have your passport with you on the date of your test you will need to come to our office in Acton Campus with your original passport a few days before your test so that we can produce a verified copy. The IELTS Office in Acton is the only organisation who can verify a copy of your passport. Copies verified by other organisations (including copies verified by solicitors) will not be accepted.

   

  You can find our opening hours here
  If your passport is with the Home Office, you will need to call the Home Office and request them to release the passport for the day.

  
  Candidates who don’t have their passport or a verified copy of their passport on the date of their test will not be able to sit the test and will lose their test fee.

• I wasn't able to sit the test. What should I do?

  If you miss the test registration because you are late, we cannot allow you to take the test and you will lose your test fee.

  In the case of a medical emergency you must provide us with a dated medical certificate, which clearly states that you were not able to sit the test for medical reasons. We need to receive this medical certification and a completed refunds/transfer form (available here) within 5 working days of the test date.

• I would like to make a complaint. What is the procedure?

  If there have been any issues that may have affected your performance in your Ielts Test, then you must raise your complaint on the day of the test. You must immediately tell an invigilator and request a Test Day Incident Form. Please fill the form out and submit it to an invigilator on the day of the test. We may not be able to accept complaints regarding the test if you do not fill out a Test Day Incident form on the day of the test.

• What proof of identity do I need on the day of the test?

  On the test day you will be required to have with you the passport or national identity card (NI - EU National only) which you registered for the test with.

• I haven't received my Confirmation Letter. What should I do?

  Please allow at least 7 working days after we receive your application for your Confirmation Letter to arrive. If you still haven’t receive a Confirmation Letter after this time, please get in contact with us by email, making sure you include the following information:

  1. Your full last name as per the application form.
  2. Your full first name
  3. Your date of birth

• I want to change the address I have given on my application form. What should I do?

  If you wish to change your address you will need to email us your new address before the test. You need to advise in your email the following information:

  1. Your full last name as per the application form.
  2. Your full first name
  3. Your date of birth
  4. Date of the test and campus
  5. The new address

• Do you have a waiting list for cancellations?

  No, we do not have a waiting list. If a date is fully booked, it is not possible to take the test on this date.

• How do I request a duplicate Test Report Form?

  There is a fee of £10.00 for an extra certificate. You can pay by scanning and e-mailing a card payment form to ielts@wlc.ac.uk . The form can be downloaded here 

  Please also advise in your email the following:

  1) your full last name as per the application form
  2) your full first name
  3) your date of birth
  4) the test date and campus
  5) the address where you would like us to send the duplicate of your Test Report Form.

  Alternatively you can come to our Acton office in person and request a duplicate of the TRF here.

  You can find our opening hours here

© 2012 Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College