Your guide to IELTS Online
In some countries, you can take the IELTS Online test at home or in a private space. You’ll take all sections on a computer; your Speaking test is done via a video call with an examiner.
What is IELTS Online?
IELTS Online is the same as the computer-based IELTS test, but is taken remotely at home or in a suitable private space, and only available in a limited number of countries. It is only available for the Academic version of the test.
You will sit at your own computer and work your way through the Listening, Reading and Writing sections of the test, reading the questions and answering them directly on-screen. Your Speaking test will be a live conversation with an examiner via video call.
To take the IELTS test online, you need to ensure that it's available in your country, and you need the right equipment and a stable internet connection.
A smooth and convenient IELTS test experience from home
Our IELTS Online test offers a simple, straightforward test experience, with several features to help you move through the test with ease:
- Easy-to-use interface with adjustable font sizes, colours and volume control
- On-screen timer so you can manage your time effectively
- Note-taking tools so you can capture important details
- Highlight/underline functions to focus on important information
- Easy navigation between questions so you can move forward and back as many times as you need.
Why take IELTS Online?
Our remote IELTS Online test is a convenient choice, offering several benefits for test-takers:
Save time and money on travel to a test centre with our IELTS remote option
Avoid noise and distractions in a comfortable, private testing space
IELTS Online test-takers typically get their results in 6-8 days
How do I book IELTS Online?
Booking your IELTS Online test with the British Council is quick, simple and secure. Visit our IELTS registration page and follow these steps:
Select your country and city, then choose a date from the calendar
Enter your email to create your profile, then follow the prompts to book
Your guide to IELTS Online
Read our IELTS Online technical and user guides to check the computer and system requirements, set up your space, practise for test day and understand what you can and cannot have with you during the test. If you still have questions after reading the guides, contact our friendly support team, who will be happy to help you.
-
These short videos cover useful tips and hints to help your test experience run smoothly.
-
Make sure you go over the practical information you need to take the IELTS Online test remotely.
-
Ensure you have the right equipment to meet our technical requirements
-
Make sure you know what will in case you have to cancel or move your test date.
Book IELTS Online with the British Council
Ready to book your IELTS Online test? Once you’ve checked that IELTS Online is available in your country, you can search for a convenient date. Get ready for your next move with the British Council.
IELTS Online video tutorials
If you’re preparing to take IELTS Online, these short videos cover useful tips and hints to help your test experience run smoothly.
-
Watch this 5-minute video to learn:
- How to select and deselect answers
- How to write answers in text boxes
- How to flag questions you want to return to.
-
Watch this 3-minute video to see:
- How to prepare your room
- How to prepare your desk
- Which items are permitted
- Which items are not permitted.
-
Watch this 2-minute video to learn:
- How to adjust settings for the Speaking test
- Why you need to do this before the test.
-
Watch this 2-minute video to learn:
- How to change text colour
- How to change text size
- How to adjust the volume
Get access to premium preparation material
Get free IELTS preparation when you sign up and premium IELTS preparation when you book a test with us - included in your test fees!
IELTS Online pre-test checks
You can take IELTS Online at home or anywhere with a suitable, private space. Your room, computer and equipment must meet the conditions set out in this guide and the IELTS Online Test technical requirements.
You must:
You can’t take the test in a public or shared space. Find a suitable private space to take the test where you won’t be interrupted.
Mobile phones, devices and Chromebooks are not permitted. Check that your computer and equipment meet the IELTS Online technical requirements.
Download and install the Inspera (opens in a new tab) Integrity Browser 72 hours before your test. This gives you time to reschedule or cancel your test if you have technical issues.
Complete all technical and pre-system checks, including ensuring that your internet connection is stable. You cannot use mobile data/WiFi hotspots.
IELTS Online test-day checklist
- Double-check your test start time, including checking any time zone differences. Please note you will not be allowed to log in to the test if you are more than 30 minutes late.
- Check the email you received and have your username, password, ID and PIN codes ready. You’ll have one PIN code for your Speaking test and another for your Listening, Reading and Writing tests.
- Make sure your passport or photo ID is the same as the one you used to book the test.
- Make sure you are alone in the room for the pre-test checks and the test.
- Keep all doors closed. If there are glass walls, use curtains or blinds, or add window film to ensure privacy.
- Place your computer on a desk or table and sit comfortably on a chair. You cannot take the test lying down or sitting on a sofa.
- Remove all bags, notes, pens, pencils, headphones and accessories, including wrist watches.
- Remove posters from the walls.
- Keep your water in a transparent bottle without a label.
- Make sure your speakers, microphone and camera are on. Remember, you can’t use headphones.
- Disconnect your computer from any unnecessary devices like printers and second monitors. Cover these devices.
- Close all browser windows and programmes not needed for the test.
- Keep your phone or device nearby for the pre-test scan, with mobile data switched off. You will switch off your device after the scan.
- Make sure your face is visible.
- Launch the Inspera Integrity Browser
- Log in with your username and password
- Select your test (i.e. Speaking).
- Enter your test PIN code (remember your Speaking PIN code is different from your PIN code for Listening, Reading and Writing).
- Take a photo of yourself and the photo page of the ID you registered with.
- Join the waiting room and wait to be told when the test is starting.
- Let the examiner/proctor scan your room.
- Remember not to do these things during your test:
- Do not constantly look away from the screen.
- Do not leave your desk at any point (unless it’s to take a bathroom break, in which case you must tell the proctor first).
- Do not use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl +C or Ctrl +V during the Listening, Reading and Writing test.
Why do we do a room scan before the IELTS Online test?
On test day, the examiner or remote proctor will ask you to show them your room, desk and equipment with your mobile device. This is to ensure that they meet technical and security requirements.
Technical requirements
You can take IELTS Online at home or in a suitable private space if your computer and equipment meet the technical IELTS online requirements.
Mac and Windows system requirements for IELTS Online
You must use a laptop or desktop computer and disconnect any additional screens. You cannot use a cellphone, tablet or Chromebook.
Detailed below are the operating system requirements to run IELTS Online:
| Mac minimum | Mac recommended | Windows minimum | Windows recommended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OS Version | 10.15 | Latest | 10 (64-bit platform) | 11 (64-bit platform) |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | 2GB | 4GB |
Additional system requirements
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Storage | 400MB available storage |
| Camera and microphone | Internal or external. Mac users must disable the 'Continuity Camera' on their iPhone |
| Internet | Stable connection. Mobile hotspot is not permitted. Minimum upload speed: 5 Mbps |
| CPU | Newer than 2011 (Intel Sandy Bridge or newer) with support for SSE 4.2 |
| CPU cores | Minimum permitted: 2-core Recommended: minimum 4-core |
| Graphics | OpenGL 2.0 graphics driver |
| Keyboard | Language set to Australia/USA/UK English |
Install the Inspera Integrity Browser for IELTS Online Test
To take IELTS Online remotely, you must download and install the Inspera Integrity Browser and run pre-system checks. This ensures your computer and equipment are compatible with the test.
We recommend you do this at least 72 hours before your IELTS Online test. This is so you can reschedule or cancel your test if you are unable to take it for technical reasons.
After installation, click the desktop shortcut to launch the browser, then follow the instructions. Click ‘Next’ to run pre-test system checks using the most recent version of one of these browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Apple Safari (for MacOS)
- Mozilla Firefox
- restarting your device
- disconnecting any additional screens
Camera, speakers and microphone guidelines for IELTS Online
You are not allowed to use the following items:
- Headphones, headsets or ear devices. You must use speakers to listen to the test
- Additional monitors or external wireless microphone. Disconnect these items before starting the test
- Non-essential connected devices. Printers, Bluetooth devices and non-essential USBs are not allowed
Ready for the next step?
Book IELTS Online with the British Council and get free access to exclusive preparation resources, including 40 practice tests and more. We’re here to help you perform at your best on test day.
IELTS Online: FAQs
If it’s a short break, you will get extra time to complete your test. If the connection cannot be restored, the British Council will help you organise a test retake. To avoid issues, please make sure you have a stable internet connection.
The IELTS test takes about 2 hours and 45 mins: Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11-14 minutes). If you take IELTS on paper, you will have an additional 10 minutes at the end of the Listening section to transfer your answers from the question booklet to the answer sheet.
We use strict security measures and standardised procedures to ensure test integrity and fairness.
[OPT] For IELTS Online, the examiner or remote proctor will ask you to show them your room, desk and equipment with your mobile device.
No. They will only interrupt the test if something seems wrong, or if you raise your hand to tell them you have issues during the test or need to take a bathroom break.
The proctors will only remain active for the duration of your test. Once your test is finished, both you and the proctor will exit the Inspera Integrity Browser and access to your camera will be stopped.
No. All your work must be on the computer.
Cancellations, refunds, transfers and privacy
Discover the legal terms and conditions around the IELTS Online test.
If your plans change or you face an unexpected situation, you may need to cancel or transfer your IELTS Online test date. Read on for more information on our cancellation and transfer policy.
IELTS Online test cancellations
Overview
You can cancel your IELTS Online test registration at any time before taking your test. Refund terms depend on the circumstances of the cancellation. We will not charge an administration fee for cancellations.
Test cancelled with no refund
We will cancel the test or test component without a refund or a test result in the following scenarios:
The test taker:
- 1.1 Cancels their test or requests a transfer less than 72 hours before the first test component.
- 1.2 Cancels their test or requests a transfer between the first and second component.
- 1.3 Does not attend the test as scheduled.
- 1.4 Abandons the test or leaves the test room without permission while the test is in progress.
- 1.5 Commits or attempts to commit malpractice, i.e. any kind of cheating.
- 1.6 Fails in-room security checks using computer camera and/or handheld device.
- 1.7 Fails ID verification checks on test day.
- 1.8 Experiences internet connectivity issues that cause test abandonment or cancellation.
- 1.9 Refuses to give their consent for audio/video recording to take place.
At our discretion:
1.10 A test may be cancelled, and the test taker may be ineligible for a refund should they fail to comply with the conditions listed in Terms and Conditions Section 6. Test Day Arrangements and Behaviours.
Provisions 1.1 – 1.4 may be waived and a refund issued if the test taker provides a doctor’s note or certificate within 72 hours of the incident. We will evaluate each case on its merits, and our decision will be final.
Test cancelled and refund issued
We will cancel the test and issue a refund in the following circumstances:
1.1 Test taker cancels their test or requests a transfer more than 72 hours before the first test component.
1.2 We cancelled the test for whatever reason.
If consumer protection law where you have registered to take your IELTS Online test offers you more favourable cancellation and transfer rights, then local laws will apply.
IELTS Online test transfers
If you need to change your test date, you must do so more than 72 hours before the first test component. You can only transfer your booking once.
You should select a new test date, where available, within three months of your original test date. If your preferred test date is more than three months after your original test date, your transfer will be treated as a cancellation.
Who we are
The IELTS Owners are the British Council, IELTS Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 84 008 664 766), (wholly owned by IDP Education Ltd) and Cambridge Assessment English (Part of the University of Cambridge).
This Privacy Notice describes how the IELTS Owners collect and use your personal information that we obtain when you register to sit an IELTS Online test. It is intended to provide further information on how your personal data is used and supplements any information the IELTS Owners may have already provided to you about how they will use your personal data. Some of the IELTS Owners’ activities will be carried out by IELTS UK Services Limited, which is a joint venture owned by the IELTS Owners.
Data shared amongst the IELTS Owners and subcontractors
The IELTS Owners may share any relevant information from your IELTS registration or the IELTS Online test with the other joint owners of the IELTS test for purposes such as administering the IELTS test and reviewing IELTS test results for statistical and fraud detection purposes.
The IELTS Owners may forward any enquiries you make to the other joint owners of the IELTS test where necessary and appropriate.
The IELTS owners use third party subcontractors to provide parts of the IELTS services as detailed below. For these services it is necessary to share your information with these subcontractors in order for us to provide the IELTS test and associated services.
- Snowflake: Data warehousing, including storing, cataloguing and enabling analysis of data by IELTS.
- Tableau: Data visualisation and reporting tool to enable the analysis of data by IELTS.
Types of information collected:
IELTS Online Testing
If you apply to take, or have taken, an assessment service provided by, or through, the IELTS Owners we will collect personal details such as:
- name
- postal address
- email address
- date of birth
- gender
- contact details
- languages spoken
- country of nationality
- residency status
- education qualifications
- national identity card number
- passport details
- employment history
- occupation.
- information required for visa applications and professional memberships. This will include copies of your passport that you provide to us as proof of identity
In the case of individuals who have taken any test or assessment provided by, or through the IELTS Owners, results achieved by the individuals will also be held.
We may also hold sensitive information about individuals, including
- medical information (which you may provide to obtain special consideration in relation to your testing) and
- racial or ethnic origin (from information you submit during registration and in the recording of your test).
Some personal data, such as gender, may be used to ensure that Greeters, Proctors and Examiners are assigned to test takers in accordance with local laws and practices, where applicable.
We will also process biometric information of IELTS Online test takers in capturing a visual image of their face for identity verification purposes. The image taken at the beginning of the test will be used throughout the test to confirm that it is the same person at all times.
We will also conduct video, audio and screen recording during the test for proctoring purposes. Further information regarding online proctoring is provided below.
Remote proctoring
As IELTS is a high stakes test, all IELTS tests are subject to proctoring to ensure test integrity and prevent malpractice. Audio and video from your webcam and microphone, as well as a recording of your computer screen, are captured throughout all parts of the test for proctoring purposes.
The use of remote proctoring is a condition of taking the IELTS test online. If you do not agree to this condition, the alternative is to book an IELTS test and an official Test Centre.
IELTS works with a company called Inspera to provide the IELTS online platform, including remote proctoring services. You can find out more about Inspera’s privacy practices on their website here: https://www.inspera.com/legal/privacy/ (opens in a new tab)
Remote proctoring is made up of two parts:
Pre-test identity checking
Before the test begins, you will be asked to present an approved form of picture ID. The Greeter will match the facial image on the ID with the person in front of the camera for the test session. This is to ensure that the person taking the test is the same person that registered.
Test session
During the test we will record audio and video from your device’s camera and microphone and a capture of the screen of the device used for the test. You will also be asked to provide a complete view of the room before the test begins. This is to verify that there is no one else present to assist you.
Your entire testing session is monitored in real time and recorded through your device. Audio and video of your face, voice and workspace will be captured.
These recordings are held securely within the Inspera test platform in Europe for a period of sixty days, after which they will automatically be deleted. They may be retained for longer if there are legal grounds to keep them, such as for ongoing investigations.
The remote proctoring system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to monitor the audio and video from your device for suspicious or unusual behaviour that may indicate malpractice. If the software flags any behaviour as potentially suspicious, either during or after the test, that report is reviewed by the human proctor monitoring your test session before any action is taken.
The software will flag the following behaviours for further investigation:
- Unexpected noise: the systems will detect unusual noises that are picked up by your microphone. This is intended particularly to detect speech that is not coming from the test taker
- People entering or leaving the frame: whenever someone enters or leaves the frame during the test, the software will compare the facial image of the person entering the frame with the facial image on the ID submitted at the start of the test. If the images do not match, the software will flag the behaviour.
The recordings do not form part of the exam and do not influence your grade – they are only used to prevent malpractice, investigate fraudulent activities and to verify the identity of the person taking the test.
Remote speaking test
For the Speaking part of the IELTS Online test, the Zoom video conferencing platform will be used. A digital recording of the Speaking test will be made via Zoom.
This recording will be stored temporarily within Zoom and transferred to our cloud storage in Singapore where it will be split into Audio and Video components. The recording will be not retained on the device you use to take the test. The video file will be retained for three months and the audio file for three years.
For further information on how Zoom approaches data protection, please visit the privacy sections of their website: https://zoom.us/privacy (opens in a new tab)
Purposes
We collect your Personal information to allow us to:
- administer your IELTS Online test
- protect test integrity and prevent fraud
- improve the way in which IELTS Online is delivered
- inform you of and provide you with information on the services we provide (including events and opportunities to participate in projects/programmes)
- use your information in an anonymous form, for informational, research, statistical and training purposes for the development of Cambridge Assessment English examinations
- manage our internal business operations
- respond to your questions.
Legal basis for processing your personal data
We will only process personal data where we have a lawful basis to do so. The basis for processing your personal data varies depending on the activity we collected it for. In some occurrences, we may have more than one lawful basis for processing.
The information below summarises the bases on which the IELTS Owners process personal information.
Contract
The IELTS Owners process personal data necessary for the performance of a contract for your IELTS Online test. This includes, but is not limited to, IELTS registration, identity checks and test administration.
Legal obligation
The IELTS Owners process personal data necessary to comply with legal obligations. This includes, but is not limited to, providing personal information to regulators, law enforcement agencies and statutory bodies.
Legitimate interest
The IELTS Owners process personal data to meet our legitimate interests as a global provider of IELTS tests. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to general enquiries, supporting test takers, preventing fraudulent activity and improving our services.
Consent
The IELTS Owners process personal data where you have provided your consent to do so. Where the IELTS Owners are relying on your consent, for example, where your personal data is being used for marketing purposes, you may withdraw your consent at any time.
Special category personal data (also known as sensitive personal data) processing
The IELTS Owners will process Special Category personal data under the following legal bases.
Explicit consent
The IELTS Owners process personal data with your explicit consent when you provide a visual image of your face for identity verification purposes at the beginning of the IELTS Online test.
We also carry out video, audio and screen recording during the test for proctoring with your consent.
We may also process medical information with your consent if you provide it to support requests for special arrangements to be made in relation to your IELTS Online test.
Public interest
In the case of Cambridge Assessment, the collection of your personal data in remote proctoring is required in the public interest to prevent test malpractice and to ensure test integrity, for the benefit of Recognising Organisations and the public in applying to Recognising Organisations.
Equality of opportunity monitoring
The IELTS Owners process special category personal data to monitor equality of opportunity provision. Any such outputs from this processing would be aggregated and not identify specific individuals.
Special category data will only be shared on a strictly need to know basis in line with the individual IELTS Owner security policy.
Recipients of personal data
We also use other organisations to process your personal information to carry out services on our behalf. We use them to:
- Provide customer service, surveys and marketing
- Personalise our services
- Process payments
- Carry out fraud and other legal investigations.
Where we use another organisation, we make sure that your personal information is protected and remains in our control.
Disclosure
The IELTS Owners may disclose the relevant information from your IELTS registration or IELTS test with:
- educational institutions, IELTS test centres, governments (including visa processing authorities), or professional bodies and commercial organisations that recognise IELTS scores
- with regulatory authorities for verification purposes, to protect the IELTS test and its stakeholders or where legally required;
- third parties identified by you which act on your behalf to facilitate your applications to educational institutions, governments (including visa processing authorities), or professional bodies and commercial organisations that recognise IELTS scores
- in certain situations, share personal information to government bodies and law enforcement bodies.
Retention of personal data
We will retain your details for as long as they are needed for the relevant purposes listed in the Purposes section. When retaining information for the purpose of administering the IELTS Online test.
- All test results and records relating to your registration and sitting of the test, including your ID document, are held for 3 years after your most recent test result
- Video and audio recording of the test taker and their computer screen captured during the remote proctoring of your IELTS Online test is held for 60 days after your IELTS Online test
- Video of your speaking test is held for 3 months after your IELTS Online test
- Audio of your speaking test is held for 3 years after your IELTS Online test
We may also retain certain other records for other legitimate reasons (including after your relationship with the IELTS Owner(s) has ended), for example to resolve any potential disputes, to comply with other reporting and retention obligations, or for the prevention of fraud.
All the personal information that we collect and generate during the test (e.g. video and voice recording, your answers to the questions or the document to prove your identity, such as your Identity Card or your Passport) is temporarily stored on the device you take the test on and normally removed at the end of the test. If the test process is not completed some of this personal information will remain on the device until manually removed.
Your rights in relation to your personal data
Under data protection law, you have rights including:
- Your right of access – you have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information. However, material produced in your IELTS Online test will not generally be provided.
- Your right to rectification – you have the right to ask us to rectify information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.
- Your right to erasure – you have the right to ask us to erase your personal information in certain circumstances. This may not be possible in all cases when it comes to maintaining a record of your results.
- Your right to restriction of processing – you have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your information in certain circumstances.
- Your right to object to processing – you have the right to object to the processing of your information in certain circumstances.
- Your right to data portability – you have the right to ask that we transfer the information you gave us to another organisations, or to you, in certain circumstances
- You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you.
For more information on these rights please visit the Information Commissioner’s Office website at https://ico.org.uk/global/privacy-notice/your-data-protection-rights/ (opens in a new tab)
If you wish to exercise any of the rights detailed above, please email the IELTS partner that you register with using the following details:
- For British Council: IGDisclosures@britishcouncil.org
- For IDP: privacyofficer@idp.com (opens in a new tab)
- For Cambridge Assessment English: privacy@cambridge.org (opens in a new tab)
For further details on exercising your rights in relation to personal data processed by the IELTS Owners please see the privacy and data protection policies of the IELTS Owners for IELTS at https://ielts.org/legal/privacy-policy (opens in a new tab)
Making a complaint
If you are unhappy about how we have handled your personal information, we have procedures in place to deal with your enquiries or complaints.
In the first instance, you should address your complaint to the IELTS Owner through whom you booked your test. Your booking confirmation will specify whether this is the British Council or IDP Education.
If you wish to raise a complaint with the British Council, please contact IGDisclosures@britishcouncil.org
- If you wish to raise a complaint with IDP, please contact privacyofficer@idp.com (opens in a new tab)
- If you wish to raise a complaint with Cambridge Assessment English, please contact privacy@cambridge.org (opens in a new tab)
If you feel we have intruded on your privacy or misused your data, you are able to raise a complaint as follows:
In Australia - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s (OAIC) website at https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints (opens in a new tab)
In the UK - Information Commissioner’s Office https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint (opens in a new tab)
Website usage and other information collected on this website
The IELTS Owners’ Privacy Notice applies solely to information collected by us and may differ from the policies of other companies’ or organisations’ websites that you link to from this website. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of any other companies’ or organisations website that you link to from our website.
Download our terms and conditions document
- IELTS Online terms and conditions (PDF, 0.21mb) Download file
IELTS Online: Cancellation, Refund and Transfer policy
If your plans change or you face an unexpected situation, you may need to cancel or transfer your IELTS Online test date. Read on for more information on our cancellation and transfer policy.
IELTS Online test cancellations
Overview
You can cancel your IELTS Online test registration at any time before taking your test. Refund terms depend on the circumstances of the cancellation. We will not charge an administration fee for cancellations.
Test cancelled with no refund
We will cancel the test or test component without a refund or a test result in the following scenarios:
The test taker:
- 1.1 Cancels their test or requests a transfer less than 72 hours before the first test component.
- 1.2 Cancels their test or requests a transfer between the first and second component.
- 1.3 Does not attend the test as scheduled.
- 1.4 Abandons the test or leaves the test room without permission while the test is in progress.
- 1.5 Commits or attempts to commit malpractice, i.e. any kind of cheating.
- 1.6 Fails in-room security checks using computer camera and/or handheld device.
- 1.7 Fails ID verification checks on test day.
- 1.8 Experiences internet connectivity issues that cause test abandonment or cancellation.
- 1.9 Refuses to give their consent for audio/video recording to take place.
At our discretion:
1.10 A test may be cancelled, and the test taker may be ineligible for a refund should they fail to comply with the conditions listed in Terms and Conditions Section 6. Test Day Arrangements and Behaviours.
Provisions 1.1 – 1.4 may be waived and a refund issued if the test taker provides a doctor’s note or certificate within 72 hours of the incident. We will evaluate each case on its merits, and our decision will be final.
Test cancelled and refund issued
We will cancel the test and issue a refund in the following circumstances:
1.1 Test taker cancels their test or requests a transfer more than 72 hours before the first test component.
1.2 We cancelled the test for whatever reason.
If consumer protection law where you have registered to take your IELTS Online test offers you more favourable cancellation and transfer rights, then local laws will apply.
IELTS Online test transfers
If you need to change your test date, you must do so more than 72 hours before the first test component. You can only transfer your booking once.
You should select a new test date, where available, within three months of your original test date. If your preferred test date is more than three months after your original test date, your transfer will be treated as a cancellation.
Your guide to IELTS Online
To ensure you are ready to take the test, please read our detailed technical and user guides on how to take the IELTS Online test. These include full, detailed information about:
- computer, equipment and system requirements
- how to set up your space
- how to practice and prepare for test day
- what you can and can’t have with you during the test.
If you still have questions after reading the guides, contact our friendly support team, who will be happy to help you.
Be prepared for your IELTS Online test
To ensure you are ready to take the test, please also read the IELTS Online user guide (opens in a new tab) and technical requirements (opens in a new tab). These include full, detailed information about:
- computer, equipment and system requirements
- how to set up your space
- how to practice and prepare for test day
- what you can and can’t have with you during the test.
If you still have questions after reading the guides, contact our friendly support team, who will be happy to help you.
How to prepare for your IELTS Online test
Get the score you want with exclusive resources to build your confidence for test day:
Get ahead with free, expert preparation resources on IELTS Ready Premium
Use our timed practice tests to practice under test conditions
Watch our IELTS Online video tutorials to get familiar with the test format
How to prepare for IELTS Online
Book IELTS with the British Council and get our exclusive preparation resources for free. You’ll get access to 40 scored practice tests, live lessons and more, so you can take IELTS with confidence.
How do I get my IELTS test result?
Getting your British Council IELTS result is simple and convenient, and we’re here to support you through the whole process.
Check whether your results are what you need for your plans.