What is the IELTS Trial Test?
The IELTS Trial Test is a practice test you can take at an official IELTS test centre.
Taking an IELTS Trial Test is valuable preparation for when you are ready to take an official IELTS test.
The IELTS Trial Test is available for the IELTS Academic and General Training versions in the listening, reading and writing modules of the test.
Why should you take an IELTS Trial Test?
Taking an IELTS Trial Test gives you valuable test day experience. You can take a test at an official test centre under timed test conditions. This will give you more confidence when you are ready to take your test.
The writing section will be marked by an official IELTS test examiner and you will get valuable feedback on your performance. This will help you to understand your current level and where you need to improve. Please note that IELTS Trial Test scores are not official test scores.
After you take your test, your results will be available in:
- two weeks for reading and listening modules
- three weeks for the writing module.
British Council is organising free trial tests in Bucharest, Iași and Cluj-Napoca
Trial Testing gives you the chance to practise taking a IELTS exam using genuine questions under exam conditions.
This experience gives you the opportunity to practise your exam technique therefore building your confidence through familiarising yourselves with the examination process. This will make you feel more relaxed and better prepared when you do your live exams.
Test trial administration simulates the real test. You not only experience the type of questions you will face on the real test, but also complete answer sheets in a test-like environment.
Trial Testing helps you find out which areas you need most practice in and shows the overall level in relation to the exam.
All test trials papers are marked in the UK by experienced IELTS examiners, and candidates will receive a feedback to help them see the score they would achieve in the three written papers: Listening, Reading and Writing.
The test trial does not contain the Speaking test.
The duration of the test is approximately 3 hours and has no breaks, just like the real test.
Trial Testing is FREE. All test costs are paid by British Council and IELTS.
Upcoming dates
Bucharest
| Dates | Registration | How to register |
| 1 March 2026 | until 16 February 2026 | Fill in form |
| 3 May 2026 | until 10 April 2026 | Fill in form |
Cluj-Napoca
| Dates | Registration | How to register |
| 22 March 2026 | until 16 February 2026 | Fill in form |
Iași
| Dates | Registration | How to register |
| 22 March 2026 | until 16 February 2026 | Fill in form |