19 Wrong Ideas About IELTS (and the Truth)

Oct 1, 2026

Before you book: IELTS test myths

Before you book your test, make sure you know what is really true.

Myth 1: You need a certain score to pass IELTS

Not true. There is no pass or fail in IELTS. You get a band score from 0 to 9 that shows your English level. The score you need depends on your goal. Each visa office, university, employer, or professional group sets its own score. Some ask for 4.5 or 5. Others ask for 7 or 8. Always check what the organisation you are applying to needs.

Myth 2: Different countries have different IELTS tests

Not true. IELTS has two main types: Academic and General Training. The Academic test follows the same rules in Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, the UK, or anywhere else. It does not matter if IDP or the British Council runs your test. There are also special versions, like IELTS for UKVI, so make sure you book the one you need.

Myth 3: I will get a higher score in another country

Not true. Some students think examiners are easier in countries where English is less common. But all examiners are trained to use the same marking rules. Your score shows how well you did, not where you took the test. You may feel more relaxed in one place, and that can help you do better. But no country gives you an official advantage.

Myth 4: IELTS is harder than other English tests

It depends on the person. IELTS tests every level, from very basic English to very advanced English. So some questions will feel hard if you are aiming for Band 6 or 7. If you see a very hard question, don’t panic. It may be there to find the Band 8 and 9 students. Other tests may feel easier because they have a different format or test only one level. The key is to know your test well and prepare for it.

How to prepare: IELTS study myths

Myth 5: Doing a practice test every day is the best way to study

Not true. Doing test after test mostly shows your level. It does not raise it. Less can be more. Take one practice test, then study it carefully. Learn the new words, understand your mistakes, look for patterns, and use what you learn when you speak and write. Don’t just practise the test. Learn from it.

Myth 6: Only an IELTS course can help me

Not true. IELTS tests your English, so many things can help: songs, news, YouTube videos, books, chatting with friends, and general English classes. A general English course is good preparation. But you also need some IELTS practice to learn the question types, timing, instructions, and test format.

IELTS Speaking myths

Myth 7: Eye contact affects my Speaking score

Not true. The examiner will usually try to keep eye contact because the Speaking test is a face-to-face conversation. But eye contact is not part of your score. If you are shy, or eye contact feels strange in your culture, don’t worry. Just focus on speaking clearly and answering the questions.

Myth 8: If I make the examiner laugh, I get a higher score

Not true. You get no points for humour, smiling, or body language. The examiner marks four things: fluency (speaking smoothly and clearly), vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. A joke is fine if it comes naturally. But don’t try to be funny just to impress the examiner. Focus on sharing your ideas clearly and correctly.

Myth 9: I can’t ask the examiner to repeat

Not true. The Speaking test is a real conversation, so you can ask the examiner to repeat a question if you didn’t hear or understand it. For example:

“Sorry, could you repeat the question, please?”

But asking to repeat is different from asking what a question means. The examiner can repeat the question, but cannot explain it in a way that helps you.

Myth 10: Speaking is the most important part of the test

Not true. Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking all count the same for your overall band. But some universities, employers, visa offices, or professional groups also set a minimum for each skill. For example, they might want 7 overall and at least 6.5 in every skill. Always check what you need.

IELTS Writing myths

Myth 11: Personal examples are worse than facts from newspapers

Not true. You have 40 minutes for Task 2, with no books or internet. Examiners don’t expect real numbers from newspapers or studies. A simple example works well:

“In Phnom Penh, my students often spend over an hour on a tuk-tuk in rush-hour traffic, so better public buses would save them a lot of time.”

You don’t need to write:

“According to a 2024 study by Oxford University, 73% of city workers…”

Made-up numbers don’t impress the examiner. Just give a clear idea and support it with a good example.

Myth 12: You can’t get more than Band 7 in IELTS Writing

Not true. Band 8 and 9 are possible in Writing, even if English is not your first language. Writing feels hard because clear, correct written English takes a lot of control. To see what makes one band different from another, read the public IELTS Writing band descriptors. They show the four things examiners look for: answering the task, organising your ideas, vocabulary, and grammar.

Myth 13: Your essay must sound like a university research paper

Not true. IELTS tests your English and how clearly you share ideas. It does not test your research skills. You don’t need to quote experts, studies, or big theories. You can use “I think” and “in my opinion” when they fit. The key is to answer the question directly, explain your ideas, and make them clear.

IELTS Reading and Listening myths

Myth 14: You lose marks for wrong answers

Not true. IELTS does not take away marks for wrong answers in Reading or Listening. A wrong answer gets zero, but you don’t lose anything extra. So never leave a blank. If you have one minute left and five questions to go, make your best guess. You lose nothing by trying.

Myth 15: IELTS Reading is harder now than before

Not really. Each IELTS test has different texts and questions, so one test may feel harder than another. But IELTS adjusts the scoring to keep it fair. This means the number of correct answers you need for a band can change a little from test to test. For example, Band 7 may need a few more or a few fewer correct answers on different Reading tests. So if your test is a bit harder, the scoring takes that into account.

After the test: score and retake myths

Myth 16: Remarking never changes your score

Not true. You can ask for your results to be checked again. This is called an Enquiry on Results (EOR). A different examiner, who did not mark your test the first time, checks your work. If your score changes, the new score replaces the old one, and you get your EOR fee back under the rules. Scores do sometimes change, especially in Writing and Speaking, where examiners use their judgement. If you are thinking about an EOR, ask your test centre about the current rules and fees.

Myth 17: You can only take IELTS once

Not true. You can take IELTS more than once. But taking it again straight away is not always the best idea. First, study your results, find your weak areas, and work on them. Then book another test. Don’t just retake the test. Improve between tests.

Myth 18: Once I get my score, I never need IELTS again

Not always. IELTS suggests that organisations accept your result for two years. But each organisation decides for itself if, and for how long, it accepts your result. You may need to take IELTS again later for a new visa, university, job or professional registration. So keep improving your English after you get your score.

Myth 19: Nobody ever gets Band 9

Not true. People do get Band 9, including people whose first language is not English. I’ve seen it myself: some of my own students and colleagues got Band 9 as non-native speakers. Band 9 is possible, but you don’t need it unless your goal asks for it. Focus on the score you need and the skills that will get you there.

IELTS FAQ: quick answers

Do “less common words” mean difficult words? No. Less common words are not just long or difficult words. For example, affordable is better than “not expensive”, and overcrowded is better than “too many people”. They are simple words, but more exact in the right place. Don’t use words you don’t fully understand just to impress the examiner. Learn useful words and use them correctly and naturally.

Can I write in capital letters? Yes. You can write your Listening and Reading answers in capital letters. If you take the paper test and your handwriting is hard to read, capital letters can help.

What if I write more than 300 words in Task 2? You don’t lose marks just for writing more than 300 words. But writing too much can cause problems. It takes time, gives you more chances to make mistakes, and leaves less time to check. You must write at least 250 words for Task 2. About 260–290 words gives most students enough space to explain their ideas. For Task 1, you must write at least 150 words.

How should I write dates? Use a normal, clear style, like 13 September or September 13. Just follow the instructions and make your answer clear.

Are fillers like “well” or “let me think” okay in Speaking? Yes. Natural phrases like to be honest, that’s a good question and actually give you a moment to think, and native speakers use them too. But don’t use the same one again and again. Saying um, and then or so all the time can break the flow of your speech. Learn a few natural phrases and focus on your ideas.

What’s the difference between Academic and General Training? Listening and Speaking are the same in both. The differences are in Reading and Writing. In Academic Writing Task 1, you usually describe a graph, chart, table, map or process. In General Training Writing Task 1, you write a letter. Academic Reading has three long texts. General Training Reading has more texts about everyday life, work and general topics.

How can I count words quickly on the paper test? Don’t waste time counting every word. When you practise, check how many words you usually write on one line. If it’s about 12 words, then around 21 lines is enough for 250 words. Use your practice to learn what 250 words looks like on your page. On the computer test, the word count is shown on screen.

Final word

IELTS is not a trick. It tests your English, and examiners mark it using clear rules. Don’t spend months worrying about rumours or looking for secret tricks. Learn what the examiner actually marks. Find your weak areas. Practise them. Learn from your mistakes.

I learned English as a second language too, so I know how stressful this test can feel. If you want clear, practical IELTS help, subscribe to IELTS TIME on YouTube and check out the study materials and free tools on IELTS TIME.

Talk soon,

Iman