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Introducing Video call Speaking tests
With the impact of Covid-19, IELTS Australia has taken additional precautions for your health and safety, including implementing strict physical distancing procedures.
To protect you further, some test centres in Australia will be conducting your IELTS Speaking test via a video call format.
Your Speaking test examiner will not be in the same test room as you, but instead, you’ll speak with them via a video call in a private test room at your centre. All aspects of the Speaking test will remain the same, including the question types, timing and marking.
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What our test takers are saying about Video call Speaking tests
“The examiner was lovely. I felt at ease, comfortable at all times. When my time was up in certain parts I was stopped in a way that was appropriate rather than being cut off.”
“Absolutely fine. No issues with the video verses face-to-face. Would recommend. Good quality video and sound.”
Get to know Video call Speaking tests
How does the video call Speaking test work?
The test will be delivered over video call by a certified, expert Speaking examiner, enabling real-life, real-time, two-way communication, just like in the real world.
The video call Speaking test is exactly the same as the in-person Speaking test in terms of content, scoring, timing, question format and security arrangements.
How is the video call Speaking test delivered?
An IELTS team member will guide you to your Speaking test room and verify your identity.
Once you have your noise-cancelling headset on, you can start your Speaking test on a high-definition video call with an examiner who is based in another test centre.
You can expect crystal clear sound, secure fast connections and real-life conversation
What to expect on test day
What you will see in the Speaking test room
There is a computer monitor with a camera on top and speakers. Some centres may use a headset instead of speakers.
Like the in-person test, there is a pen and paper on the desk for use in Part 2. Please do not touch this until the examiner invites you to. When Part 2 is finished please put the pen down and do not touch it again.
What to expect during your Speaking test
When you are in the test room, the invigilator will confirm your name and candidate number.
The invigilator will then read out the number of your ID document to confirm your identity for the examiner.
You will be asked to place your ID document on the desk. Please leave it there until you leave the room.
The invigilator will then give you the headset to wear and check that your image is in the centre of the monitor.
The examiner will ask if you can hear clearly.
Once you confirm you can hear, the invigilator will leave the room and your test will begin.
Frequently asked questions
Video call Speaking tests
Yes, your Speaking test will still be face-to-face, however your examiner will attend your test via a video call.
You will be able to see your examiners face, hear them speak, and have a live conversation with them, as you would in-person.
All aspects of the Speaking test will remain the same, including the question types, timing and marking.
Your examiner will ask you the test questions, and you will answer through the video-call.
No, you will not need to prepare any differently. All aspects of the Speaking test will remain the same, including the question types, timing and marking.
On your test day, an IELTS staff member will complete your ID check as per normal and show you to your Speaking test room.
An IELTS staff member will set-up your video-call, you will not be required to touch any equipment or set up the call.
No, your IELTS Speaking test will continue to be marked by a trained and certified examiner. Your speaking skills are marked against a number of criteria, including ‘fluency and coherence’, ‘lexical resource’, ‘pronunciation’, ‘grammatical range’ and ‘accuracy’.
We have been following the advice of the World Health Organisation and relevant local governments to help create a healthy test day environment. Here is a summary of some of the additional precautions we have introduced for you and your fellow test takers:
To find out more, please read IELTS test day and preparation – COVID-19 updates.
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