IELTS: Truth or Myth? 15 rumours about the IELTS exam busted

One of the most difficult things for IELTS test-takers is knowing which information about the exam to trust. Sites like Facebook and YouTube are also full of "facts" that are just not true. So, in today's episode, Nick and I play a game of IELTS Truth or Myth! You can find the full episode notes at http://podcast.myieltsclassroom.com/

Episode Notes

Every week, I get dozens of comments on my Facebook page from students who have read a "fact" about the IELTS test online that has confused (or even frightened) them, and they want to know if they are really true, or just another false rumour about the IELTS test. Today, Nick and I look at 15 questions from our listeners that start with the expression "Is it true that...". Hopefully, our answers will help you to feel confident about which IELTS rumours are true and which are pure invention!

In this episode, you will find out:

1. why there are so many myths about the IELTS test
2. why IELTS don't let you see your exam papers of your evaluation of results
3. if you can bypass IELTS with a fake certificate
4. if any IELTS test centres are blacklisted
5. if it is true that current examiners can't teach IELTS
6. if it is easier to pass the IELTS test in a different country 
7. if the score given by writing examiners vary 
8. how many speaking examiners there are in your test
9. if there is an upper word limit for writing
10. why the pass rate for UKVI IELTS is lower than Academic IELTS
11. how long you have to go without eating at the test centre!
12. how difficult it is for native speakers to get a Band 9.0 for writing
13. if it is possible to move from a band 6 to a band 8 in two months
14. if IELTS is intentionally making the writing exam more difficult to keep students at a 6.5

Useful Links 

• Should you ask for a remark of your work? http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/request-ielts-remark/
• Computer-based test vs Paper-based test: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-computer-based-test-vs-paper-test/

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:45 Why are there so many myths about the IELTS test?
• 5:06 Why don't IELTS let you see your exam papers of your evaluation of results?
• 7:24 Is it true that IELTS can be passed using a backdoor approach by paying for a fake IELTS certificate?
• 10:35 Is it true that some IELTS test centres are blacklisted and by taking the test there, we can face problems in embassy procedures?
• 13:23 Is it true that it's easier to pass IELTS if you're going to take it in another country and not in your own country?
• 18:41 It is true that writing scores vary according to the examiners. Some are lenient, some strict?
• 22:19 Is it true that a native English speaker examiner can give you a higher score in the speaking test than a local examiner?
• 24:24 Is it true that the speaking test score is not only given by the speaking examiner. Instead the recording is heard by 2 or 3 more examiners and then the final score is given?
• 27:10 It is true that you should not write above 255 or 260 words in an IELTS essay because you will lose marks and the examiner will stop reading?
• 29:20 Is it true that pass rate of UKVI is less as compared to academic IELTS?
• 31:52 Is true that If you sit for exams while your previous exam results are sent for revaluation, you won't get your desired score?
• 36:47 Is it true that in European countries too students taking the exam stay without food for a whole 5-6 hours straight?
• 39:36 Is it true that it is difficult to score a band 9 in writing even for native English speakers?
• 43:03 Is it true that moving from band 6.0 to 8.0 in two months impossible?
• 48:33 Is it true that its easier to get a high score with the British Council than IDP?
• 51:10 Is it true that IELTS has intentionally made the writing test tougher by assigning rigorous band descriptors so as to limit most of the well-qualified candidates below 7?