IELTS Examination Centre

There are two IELTS modules to choose from:

IELTS Academic

This module is for those who want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and for those seeking professional registration.

IELTS General Training

This module is for those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.

Note: before registering for an IELTS test, check with the organisation that has asked you to take the test which module you need to select.

This booklet contains important information to help you prepare for the IELTS test.

• IELTS - Information for Candidates Booklet (PDF - 1.4mb)

• The exam is usually on a Saturday afternoon and will take about four hours.
• Your interview will usually be held on a Saturday morning however it may be scheduled any day of the week before the exam. You can indicate your preferred interview time when registering for the exam.
• Emails containing information about exam day are sent out the Monday before the exam. Please read these carefully. The email will advise your interview time, tell you where to go and what to bring.
• Carparking is available around the campus on the day.

Upcoming Events

After taking your IELTS exam you can view your provisional results on the IELTS website. Please note the preview of your IELTS result cannot be used as official confirmation of your test result.

Your provisional result is available online approximately 13 days after your test date and will remain available until 28 days afterwards (for 15 days total).

• IELTS Results page.

If you are unhappy with your exam results you may request an enquiry on your results on any or all of the exam subtests. You must request an enquiry within six weeks of the exam date or four weeks from the day the results are issued. There is a $215 fee for enquiries which is refunded if results increase. Enquiries take 2 to 21 days to be processed and returned.

Click here to fill out the form to enquire about your IELTS results (PDF - 0.1MB)

If you are living in Christchurch you will need to collect your IELTS results from Central Academic Records in builidng N room N215 at the City campus. You'll need to bring photo ID with you and you may collect your results between 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm on the thirteenth day, or between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays in the following weeks. 

See our Campus Map for directions (PDF 0.1MB).

If you live outside of Christchurch, are returning to your home country, or Christchurch is at Red in the traffic light system, your results will be posted to you. Please ensure the address we have is your correct postal address.

We can send additional copies of your Test Report Form directly to recognising organisations. To apply for this please fill out the form below with your details and the details of the recognising organisation you would like it to be sent to. We will also need to see your passport before we can send the Test Report Form. This service is free of charge for the first five additional copies, however please note that if you would like the additional copy(ies) to be sent by courier you will need to cover the courier fees.

• Click here to fill out the form for additional test report forms (PDF)

If you request a transfer or refund more than one week prior to your exam date, acceptance is automatic. Candidates who seek to cancel their registration or transfer test dates within the one-week period prior to the test date will only receive a refund or transfer if they can satisfy the Administrator that their ability to sit the test has been affected by illness or serious cause. Serious causes include:

• illness – e.g. hospital admission, serious injury or illness (does not include minor illness such as a mild cold)
• bereavement – death of a close family member
• hardship/trauma – victim of crime, victim of a traffic accident
• military service

Please click here for the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer form (PDF 0.1MB)

The deadline to request a refund or transfer is five working days after the test date. You will need to complete a Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form and attach relevant documentation and/or evidence. Acceptable documents include a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner, a death certificate or a police report. Statutory declarations and certificates signed by family members are not acceptable.

The administrator will advise you within one week of lodging the application whether or not your request has been approved. If your application for a refund is approved, the centre will refund your test fee, however a $50 administration fee will be deducted.

Please click here for the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer form (PDF 0.1MB)

If your application is approved, you must select a test date within the next three-month period. This will be approved by the administrator, depending on availability for the selected test date. There may be limited availability for test dates in the first five-week period. If you wish to transfer to a test date more than three months away, you should apply for a refund and then re-apply for the test.

Our IELTS Test Centre is committed to providing the highest standard of customer service for every test taker. We want to hear from you if you feel we haven’t met your needs. All feedback and complaints are taken seriously and help us to improve our service, and your experience. If you have any feedback, or a complaint, please email us at nz021.ielts@ara.ac.nz.

Schedule for the Day

Below is an example of a schedule for a typical test day:

• 8:00am – Registration for speaking tests begin.
• 8.20am – First speaking tests start.
• 12.15pm – Registration for writing tests begin.
• 1:00pm – The listening test commences, followed by the reading and writing sections of the test. This takes three hours (with no break).

During the test your identity will be confirmed and you will be asked to check and confirm your personal details. You are required to check your details carefully and confirm any changes on test day as these details will appear on your Test Report Form.

Your finger scan and photo will be captured on test day. Your test day photo will be used on your Test Report Form.

Location

IELTS registration and tests are held at the City Campus on Madras Street.

Ara has a large campus, and we recommend that you allow yourself plenty of time to locate the building and room before your test. Signs will be in place at least 20 minutes before the first speaking test.

What to bring:

• Passport (only those who present passports will be able to take the test)
• HB Pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener
• Clear water bottle, with the labels removed
• Food to have during the lunch break

Do not bring:

• Valuable items (a bag room is available during the exam however Ara does not take responsibility for your personal belongings)