Is it ok to wear a face mask for your IELTS test? Will Speaking Test examiners wear face masks? Find useful tips and information.
IELTS Face Mask Policy
On the official IELTS page, you will find information about IELTS policies regarding face masks during this Coronavirus outbreak of 2020. Below I have summarised the policies for you:
- It is possible that staff in the test centre might be wearing face masks. Do not panic about this. It will just be a precautionary measure and not because they have the Coronavirus.
- IELTS Speaking Test examiners might wear face masks. This is also a precautionary measure and not because they are sick.
- However, this might make it more difficult for you to understand them. We often read lips as well as listen when someone speaks. So, wearing a face mask might make it more difficult for you to understand what the examiner is saying.
- In this case, ask the examiner to repeat the question again more clearly: “Please could you say that again more clearly because I couldn’t hear you properly” or “Could you say that again, please, because I didn’t catch what you said.”
- It is 100% fine to ask the examiner to repeat the question. It will NOT affect your score in a negative way at all.
- Test takers can wear face masks. This means you can go to your IELTS test and wear a face mask.
- However, you might be asked to remove it so they can confirm your identity. You must be prepared for that.
- If you wear a face mask for your Speaking Test, please make sure you speak very clearly and enunciate even more carefully than normal so the examiner can hear you and understand you through the face mask.
- PLEASE, do not go to any IELTS test centre if you have the following symptoms: respiratory problems (that are new), a persistent cough and a fever. These are the symptoms of Coronavirus and you must be careful not to have contact with others if you have those symptoms. In such a case, contact your test centre to arrange a refund or reschedule your test.
Hygiene During your TEST
I would also like to point out some other basic hygiene tips.
- Wash your hands when you arrive at your IELTS Test Centre to make sure you don’t bring germs in from outside.
- Continue washing your hands frequently while you are at the Test Centre. This will help you and others.
- Try to keep a good distance from others when possible.
I hope this will help you feel more relaxed about going to your Test Centre. You can find out which Test Centres are closed on this page: Official List of Suspended IELTS Tests Worldwide. You will find the above information confirmed on that page.
Coronavirus Vocabulary
Learn new vocabulary with pronunciation audios for the coronavirus. This is essential learning at this time. Click here: Coronavirus Vocabulary
Self-Study at Home
To continue self-studying from home, my website has hundreds of pages of free lessons, tips, model answers, videos, topics etc that you can learn from for FREE. Go to the HOME PAGE or use the RED MENU BAR at the top of the website to open the main pages.
All the best and stay safe!
Liz
Hi Liz. Thanks so much for giving much information. I hope one day i will go to Europe and meet with you as good friends☺
Stay safe!!
Hi Liz,
I hope you are taking good care of yourself in this difficult time. As I am preparing myself for IELTS, I was thinking if you could check my writing tasks and further guide me.
I don’t offer marking, but I do have Advanced Writing Task 2 Lessons which explain the right techniques for a high band score. They are at 20% discount at the moment. Click here: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/
Dear Madam, I really love and respect you From my heart, because since the beginning of my IELTS preparation I had been following your each and every tips that truely helped boosting my confidence and wisdom especially to be a Teacher of English. Now I teach others ( Ha.. Ha.. Ha..) Thank You 🙂 May Allah(SWT) Protect you from the COVID-19 and have mercy and sympathy on you.
Please, stay safe and keep benefiting others 🙂
Thanks for your comment 🙂 I hope things are well with you. Stay safe!!
Thank you Liz for your valuable guidance. I did not join any academy or arranged a tutor except your video lectures, and results are fantastic
listening 9.0
writing 7.5
reading 7.5
speaking 7.0
overall band score 8.0
God bless you . thumbs up . keep on educating students .best of luck
regards Dr.Khurram Yasin
Pakistan
It’s great to see your results – very well done 🙂 Thanks for your kind comment. Stay safe at this difficult time. My thoughts are with all doctors, nurses, other health care workers and hospital staff.
Thank you so much Liz for your valuable information.
Thank you so much for these tips Liz …it’s obvious you have passion in what you are doing.keep the good work.
Thanks for your kind words.
Thanks a lot Liz
Thank you so much Liz you’re always there for us, its unfortunate that some of us cant afford your paid videos. Godbless
There is plenty on this website for anyone who doesn’t have much money. This website contains hundreds of pages of lessons covering all section of the test – for free.
Dear Liz, you are doing a wonderful job free of charge here for all of us. If I should be asked to pay for it, I can’t afford what this service deserves. May the almighty God reward you. I am preparing to write IELTS exam having dumped all the materials I was reading since I got a link to you, I strongly believe that I will be successful in my exam through your lectures. Thanks a lot.
Wishing you lots of luck. Make sure you practice at home using real tests published by IELTS. Use those full tests to practice and also to test yourself under exam conditions (with timing). You can find one free test on the BC IELTS website and other tests you need to purchase in the IELTS Cambridge test books.
Hi Liz
Thank you very much for your new post on IELTS Liz