Arrival and check-in
- Arrive 30 minutes early. Late arrivals may be turned away.
- Bring required identification: a valid, original, government‑issued photo ID that exactly matches your registration name and is not expired. Some locations also capture your photo, signature, and/or palm scan.
- Store personal items in a locker. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are not allowed in the testing room. You may access the locker during the official 10‑minute break only. Do not use your phone at any time or you risk dismissal.
- Security screening: you may be asked to show your pockets, roll up sleeves, and remove jewelry. Food/gum is typically not allowed in the room.
- Materials provided: scratch paper and pencils, a headset with microphone, and sometimes foam earplugs. You can request more scratch paper—hand in used sheets first.
Before you start
- Seating and setup: a proctor seats you at a computer. Adjust chair, screen, and headset. Place the microphone 1–2 finger-widths from your mouth and slightly to the side.
- Equipment check: run the spoken mic check and verify your voice is clear without popping sounds. Ask for a different station if equipment is faulty.
- Expect some ambient noise. Centers often host multiple exams. Use the headset; ask for earplugs if available.
Test flow and timing (current iBT format)
- Reading: 2 passages, 35 minutes total (about 17–18 minutes per passage)
- Listening: about 36 minutes total
- Break: 10-minute official break (you may visit your locker, restroom, water/snack)
- Speaking: about 16 minutes (4 tasks; brief prep then 45–60 seconds speaking)
- Writing: Integrated Task (about 20 minutes to write after reading/listening) + Writing for an Academic Discussion (10 minutes)
- Unofficial Reading and Listening scores may display at the end. Official scores post online in about 4–8 days.
Rules during the test
- You may not leave your seat without proctor permission (raise your hand).
- The on-screen clock is your official time. If a technical problem occurs, alert the proctor; do not troubleshoot yourself.
- You can request fresh scratch paper anytime; return used sheets first.
- During the break: no phone use or studying. Return on time—the test restarts automatically.
Time management by section
Reading (35 minutes)
- Aim for 17–18 minutes per passage. Keep an eye on the section clock.
- Skim first: title, first/last sentences of paragraphs to map structure.
- Answer as you read; don’t chase every detail.
- Flag time-consuming items (inference, sentence insertion) and return via the Review screen.
- Never leave blanks. There’s no penalty for guessing.
Listening (about 36 minutes)
- Take purposeful notes. Capture:
- Conversation: who, where, problem/plan, reasons, next steps
- Lecture: topic, main claim, section headers, examples, contrasts, cause/effect
- Don’t write everything—note structure and key words.
- Answer from the main idea; use elimination for tricky detail questions.
Speaking (about 16 minutes)
- Typical prep/speak windows: 15–30 seconds to prepare, 45–60 seconds to speak.
- Use simple structures:
- Task 1 (independent): clear opinion + 2 brief reasons/examples.
- Tasks 2–4 (integrated): brief summary of the source(s) + key points and relationships.
- Speak steadily at a natural volume. Finish 1–2 seconds before time ends rather than getting cut off.
- If you stumble, paraphrase and continue. Don’t restart entirely.
Writing (30 minutes total writing time)
- Integrated (20 minutes): organize by points of disagreement/contrast between reading and lecture. Short intro, 2–3 focused body paragraphs mapping lecture points to reading claims; no personal opinions.
- Academic Discussion (10 minutes): write a concise, well‑organized response (about 100–150+ words). Address the prompt, respond to one or two classmates/professor statements, add one original point, and use clear, academic but conversational language.
Staying calm: quick stress tools you can use at the center
- 30-second reset: inhale through your nose, take a second quick sip-inhale, then long exhale through your mouth; repeat twice.
- Box breathing: 4 seconds inhale—4 hold—4 exhale—4 hold (1–2 cycles during instructions).
- Grounding: silently name 3 things you can see