How far in advance do I need to book my IELTS test?

One of the key steps you need to take on your IELTS journey is booking the test, whether the IELTS test format is on computer or on paper. Deciding on how far in advance to book the test can sometimes be confusing, especially when you’re not sure about what is considered good practice. But don’t worry; there are some helpful recommendations you can rely on to ensure a smooth and seamless experience of booking IELTS and attending the test day.

Read on to learn about when and how to book your IELTS test, as well as some tips regarding preparation when it’s close to the test day.

Book your IELTS test now

Practice makes perfect, and this rule of thumb holds true for IELTS as well. To allow enough time for preparation, it’s generally good practice to plan ahead: for example, you may wish to use a reverse-engineering approach in locking in a test day (depending on availability) and planning backwards. This gives you ample time and flexibility to devise a detailed plan about how to tackle different components of the IELTS test.

IELTS is designed to be a fair and consistent English proficient test. We have a wide range of preparation materials tailored to your band score goals to aid your practices. You may want to check out some free practice tests on our Prepare hub, or engage with our premium test preparation via IELTS Assist to get personalised coaching to improve your skills in Writing, Speaking or Writing.

Remember, planning ahead is your key to a successful IELTS test.

Download the IELTS by IDP app to access more personalised content for preparation.

Check out our IELTS Prepare by IDP Vodcast episode on how to improve your English before taking the test.

Whether it’s for IELTS on computer or on paper, the general principle is that, ideally, you’d need at least one month of preparation before the actual test day.

Of course, there are key differences between these two formats, and ultimately choosing the right test format for you depends on your personal preference and progress as much as on availability and urgency of results required. But one month is a good starting point for considerations.

For IELTS on computer, your results are typically available in one day, and as such, it’s considered a better option if you need faster results and flexibility. So, using the workback method as mentioned, you’ll then book your test one month beforehand.

When it comes to IELTS on paper, you get the results typically 13 calendar days after the test. This means that the overall time frame from preparation to results is longer than IELTS on computer.

Also, as you’ll need to write your answers on paper (for example, 10 minutes at the end of the Listening section), you may want to factor in some time in your preparation plan to practise writing the English language efficiently and clearly. One month would be fairly good in this case, but you may consider one and a half months instead.

Now, a key tip we recommend in this more or less one-month period is to familiarise yourself with the test format you choose, both right at the beginning and one day before the test. This allows you to remain on the right track during the process of preparation as well as to remind yourself of what’s to come.

Check out one of our latest IELTS Prepare by IDP Vodcast on the topic of preparation. If you are a first-time test taker, here are 4 steps to help you set up for success.

IELTS is the only major test to offer One Skill Retake, and it’s accepted by many organisations and universities for either migration or education purposes.

One Skill Retake is only available for IELTS on computer in eligible test centres. If you are considering One Skill Retake, you may want to include this into your planning. This ensures enough room for you to retake a skill and achieve the band score you need, as required by work or education providers such as universities. Two additional weeks may be required in your timeline, with one week for preparation and the other one as ‘buffer’ in case your preferred test day is unavailable.

Because One Skill Retake is only available in eligible test centres with limited spots, booking in advance is highly encouraged, especially if you’re in regional areas or participating in tests during high-demand periods (for example, three months before university intakes).

Check out some useful tips to prepare for IELTS One Skill Retake.

Now that you are more familiar with how far in advance you should aim for when planning and booking your IELTS test, the next step is to consolidate these tips and use them in your actual preparation.

Of course, there’s no set formula for everyone as taking IELTS tests is a personal and rewarding experience depending on how much you make out of it. Always plan ahead, use the resources available to you and allow enough time in case changes like personal matters or result delays happen.