Question about the break of the test

[lxc8007]

Is there a break during the speaking, reading and writing section? If not, does it allow to take a break during the IELTS test?

[Yiggy]

Hi lxc8007,

The speaking interview is conducted separately from the main (listening/reading/writing) test. This can be on a different day - and even a different venue. The Speaking interview will take place from one week before to one week after the main test date. Your Test Centre will tell you when your interview is scheduled.

The main test (listening/reading/writing) has no scheduled breaks. It will last for about 3 hours but allow at least an extra half an hour for registration etc.

If you need to go to the toilet during this time you must be accompanied by an invigilator. Test Centres are not allowed to let you go to the toilet when instructions are being given out so this means you have to go during one of the modules - you get no extra time for this.

I hope this helps. You can find more tips and information about IELTS on my website (see my signature).

[caythong]

Oh, when I took the IELTS at British Council HCMC (Vietnam), there is a short break between the reading and writing section.

[Yiggy]

Hi caythong,

That's interesting.

How long was your break and were you allowed to leave the room?

When did you take your test? (Recently?)

[caythong]

- The break was about 5 or 10 minutes long.
- Candidates were allowed to leave the room for toilet.
- I took the test in the end of July, 2005.

[Yiggy]

Hi cathong,

Thanks for answering my questions so clearly.

It seems that, even though IELTS gives precise instructions, each Test Centre interprets them differently. Test Centres are not allowed to let candidates go to the toilet without an invigilator escorting them. In practice this means that candidates can only go one at a time so a 5-10 minute break means only 3 or 4 would have chance to go. In my experience, if one candidate asks to go, so do 10 others!

Test Centres are also not allowed to let candidates go to the toilet when instructions are given out. This allows very little time for a break. In my experience, Test Centres only allow candidates to go to the toilet during one of the tests, so candidates who need to go to the toilet lose time. Your experience, caythong, is unusual. Either the centre has sufficient invigilators or they are not accompanying candidates. If some Test Centres allow toilet breaks and others don't this is clearly unfair.

As you may have guessed, I am not an IELTS candidate - I come from the other side of the fence. The IELTS test is very important to candidates; it can mean the difference between being able to study or work abroad and not being allowed to do so. It is also very expensive, especially for those in developing countries, so many candidates can't afford to retake the test.

I am very concerned about the accuracy and consistency of the test. This example of toilet breaks is relatively trivial but I have come across other, far more serious, aspects of Test Centres not following instructions. If any readers have any comments about how their tests were conducted I would be very interested to hear them. You can PM me if you wish.

lxc8007, it seems that although my original comments are correct, you might find you are given a break, or that you are not allowed one at all. It all depends on the Test Centre.

I should also point out that IELTS are constantly changing their instructions so what is correct today may not be tomorrow...

[riffatz]

how can i getrid of this terrible tse desaster i got again 45
next time is last thats it
is anybody can help me