IELTS Exam Day Tips: What to Do Before and During the Test

Quick Answer: To succeed on IELTS exam day, prepare your documents and materials the night before, get a good night's sleep, and eat a light breakfast. During the test, manage your time carefully, read instructions fully, and stay calm. Follow these tips to reduce stress and perform your best.

Table of Contents

The Night Before the IELTS Exam

The Morning of the IELTS Exam

During the IELTS Test: General Tips

IELTS Listening Exam Day Tips

IELTS Reading Exam Day Tips

IELTS Writing Exam Day Tips

IELTS Speaking Exam Day Tips

Band Score Comparison Table

The Night Before the IELTS Exam

The evening before your test sets the tone for the entire day. Follow these steps to ensure you are mentally and physically prepared.

Prepare your documents and materials

Original passport or national ID (check the test centre requirements)

Printed confirmation email or test ticket (if required)

Clear water bottle (labels removed)

Paracetamol or tissues – small comforts can help

Device-free bag (leave phones and smartwatches at home)

Know your test centre location Research the route, parking, and travel time. Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes early. If you are taking the computer-delivered test, check the exact floor and room number. Set two alarms Set an alarm on your phone and a separate backup alarm (or ask for a wake-up call). You cannot afford to oversleep. Avoid cramming Do not try to learn new vocabulary or review entire textbooks. Instead, skim through your own notes or practice test corrections. Relax with a light walk or meditation. Go to bed at a reasonable hour – aim for 7–8 hours of sleep.

The Morning of the IELTS Exam

The way you start your morning directly impacts your focus and energy.

Eat a balanced breakfast Choose slow-release energy foods: oatmeal, whole-grain toast with eggs, or a banana. Avoid heavy, greasy food that makes you drowsy. Caffeine is fine, but do not overdo it – too much can increase anxiety. Dress comfortably Wear layers so you can adjust to the room temperature. Avoid new shoes or tight clothing. You will be sitting for nearly three hours straight. Leave early Account for traffic, weather, and unexpected delays. Arriving with time to spare helps you calm down and settle in.

During the IELTS Test: General Tips

The exam day has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The first three are completed consecutively (usually in one sitting), and Speaking may be scheduled separately.

Listen to every instruction Invigilators often provide important details about when to start, when to stop, how to fill answer sheets, and what to do if you have a problem. Do not assume anything. Manage your time actively Bring a transparent digital watch (with alarm silenced) if allowed, or rely on the wall clock. Keep track of time for each section and for individual questions. Read questions before the passage/audio In Listening and Reading, previewing questions saves precious time. Underline keywords to know what information you are looking for. Use the transfer time in Listening In the paper-based test, you have 10 minutes after Listening to transfer answers to the answer sheet. Use every second to check spelling and grammar. Stay calm when stuck If a question seems impossible, guess and move on. Wasting time on a single question can ruin your score for later, easier ones.

IELTS Listening Exam Day Tips

Check the headset or speakers before the test begins. Raise your hand immediately if there is a problem.

Preview section questions during the 30–60 seconds given before each part. Underline key words like names, dates, places.

Write answers directly on the question paper in paper-based – then transfer later. In computer-based, type as you listen.

Watch for plurals and spelling. A missing “s” can lose a mark. Use capital letters where needed (mostly not required for IELTS Listening, but consistency helps).

Predict the type of answer. Is it a date, a name, a number, a direction? This narrows your focus.

IELTS Reading Exam Day Tips

Start with the passages you find easiest. You don’t have to do them in order. Gain confidence and save time.

Skim first, then scan. Read the first sentence of each paragraph to get the gist, then go to questions and scan for keywords.

Time per passage: Aim for 20 minutes per passage. After 18 minutes, if you are stuck, guess and move on.

True/False/Not Given – be strict. The answer must be directly stated (True), contradicted (False), or not mentioned (Not Given). Do not use outside knowledge.

Check word limits for fill-in-the-blanks. If it says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS,” write exactly that. Three words will be marked wrong.

IELTS Writing Exam Day Tips

Analyse the task before you start. Circle keywords in the prompt. Task 1 (Academic): identify the timeframe, main trend, and key data. Task 2: understand the question type (opinion, discussion, problem-solution).

Spend 2–3 minutes planning. Jot down your structure and main points for both tasks.

Time management: Task 1 = 20 minutes, Task 2 = 40 minutes. Do not exceed these limits. Task 2 is worth more marks.

Write clearly and legibly. If using pen, avoid messy crossing out. If on computer, use spell-check, but do not rely on it fully.

Leave 5 minutes to proofread. Check for subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, articles, and punctuation.

IELTS Speaking Exam Day Tips

Arrive early for your speaking slot. You may have up to 30 minutes waiting time – use it to relax and warm up your voice.

Speak naturally, not from a script. The examiner wants to hear your own ideas. Using memorised answers often sounds robotic and can lower your score.

Extend your answers. For Part 1, give 2–3 sentences. For Part 2, speak fluently for 1.5–2 minutes. For Part 3, develop your opinion with examples and reasons.

If you make a mistake, correct yourself smoothly. Say, “I mean…” or “Let me rephrase that.” This shows fluency.

Use fillers sparingly. Work on replacing “um” and “uh” with sounds like “well”, “actually”, “you see”.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Expects on Test Day
6	Follows basic routines but often loses focus, rushes instructions, and makes time‑management errors. Answers may be incomplete or illegible.
7	Manages time reasonably, reads instructions carefully, and stays calm most of the time. Uses basic planning in Writing and clear pronunciation in Speaking.
8	Demonstrates excellent self‑control and adaptability. Allocates time precisely, corrects own mistakes, and maintains fluency even under pressure.
9	Executes the entire test with zero lapses in concentration. Anticipates timing issues, handles unexpected sounds or delays, and produces error‑free, well‑structured responses.

Sample Answers

Speaking Part 1 Question: “Do you have any tips for exam day?” Band 7: “Yes, I think the most important tip is to sleep well the night before. Many students make the mistake of staying up late to study, but that actually makes you very tired and you cannot concentrate. Also, I always eat a banana before the exam. It gives you energy. And during the test, I try to read the questions before I start. For example, in Listening, I look at the words and guess what kind of answer is needed. That saves time and helps me focus.” Band 8: “Definitely. There are a few things I always do. First, I prepare everything the evening before – my ID, the printed confirmation, and a bottle of water. This reduces stress in the morning. Second, I set two alarms to avoid oversleeping. On the test day itself, I avoid discussing difficult topics with other candidates because that can make you anxious. Instead, I take deep breaths and remind myself that I have prepared well. During the test, I keep my eye on the clock but I never panic if I fall behind – I just skip a question and come back if time permits. Staying flexible is key.” Band 9: “Absolutely. My approach is very systematic. The night before, I do a complete mental shut‑down – no social media, no last‑minute cramming. I go for a short walk and then visualise the next day’s test from start to finish: arriving, sitting down, hearing the instructions. This mental rehearsal reduces anxiety. On the morning, I eat a light breakfast of porridge and a banana, and I drink only moderate coffee to avoid jitteriness. During the exam, I constantly monitor my time in relation to each section’s requirements. In Writing, for example, I plan exactly 5 minutes for Task 2 before writing. I also use the transfer time in Listening to double‑check every word for spelling and plural forms. Most importantly, I treat each section as a separate performance – once it’s done, I erase it from my mind and focus entirely on the next one. This prevents carry‑over stress.”

Common Mistakes

❌Arriving late or with the wrong ID. This can result in being turned away. Always check the exact ID requirements and plan to arrive 45 minutes early.

❌Ignoring word limits in Reading and Writing. If the question says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS”, a three‑word answer scores zero no matter how correct.

❌Panicking in Speaking and speaking too fast. Nerves cause breathlessness. Pause, breathe, and slow down – you have 10–15 seconds per answer in Part 1.

❌Writing too much in Task 1. Academic Task 1 is about data, not storytelling. Overwriting wastes time and can hide key trends.

❌Filling answer sheets incorrectly. In Listening and Reading paper‑based, write clearly in pencil and mark only one answer per question.

Top Tips

💡 The night before, visualise success. Picture yourself walking into the test room calmly, answering questions confidently, and finishing on time. This primes your brain for success.

💡 Use the first 2 minutes of Speaking Part 2 to outline. You get 1 minute to prepare. Jot down 3–4 bullet points on the provided card – never write full sentences.

💡 In Writing Task 2, always end with a short conclusion. A single sentence summarising your view can boost coherence and task response.

💡 If you don’t know a word in Listening, skip it. One missing answer is better than missing the next five while you think.

💡 Check your digital watch is silent. The invigilator may confiscate any device that makes noise. Use a simple analogue watch to be safe.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. They offer timed mock exams that mirror the real test environment.

FAQ

Q: What should I bring to the IELTS test centre? A: Your original passport or national ID (as specified in your confirmation), a printed copy of the confirmation email, a clear water bottle, and any permitted stationery (pen, pencil, eraser). Leave phones, smartwatches, and bags at home or in a locker. Q: Can I drink water during the test? A: Yes, you can keep a clear water bottle on your desk. But avoid drinking too much mid‑section – save it for breaks. In computer‑delivered tests, take small sips between tasks. Q: What happens if I arrive late? A: If you are more than 15–20 minutes late, you may not be allowed to take the test. Some centres have a strict cut‑off. Always aim to arrive at least 45 minutes early to check in and find your seat. Q: How can I calm my nerves just before the test? A: Try the 4‑7‑8 breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. Do this three times. Also, stretch your shoulders and roll your neck gently. Avoid talking to stressed candidates in the waiting room. Q: Can I use a pencil for the Writing test? A: In paper‑based IELTS, Writing must be done in pen (black or blue ink). Pencil is only allowed for Listening and Reading answer sheets. Check your centre’s rules.

Key Takeaways

✅Prepare all documents and plan your journey the night before – this eliminates morning stress.

✅During the test, manage your time strictly: listen to instructions, preview questions, and allocate fixed minutes per section.

✅In Speaking and Writing, plan before you begin – a quick outline improves coherence and task achievement.

✅Stay flexible: if a question is too hard, move on. Keeping calm is more important than one answer.

✅Use the transfer time in Listening to double‑check spelling and grammar – small details can cost marks.

Related Posts:

IELTS Listening Tips: How to Score 8+ in the Listening Test

How to Manage Time in the IELTS Writing Test