IELTS Exam Day Horror Stories – What Not to Do (With New Pen-Only Rule & Exam Essentials)
It is the other side of the coin for most aspirants to have IELTS as one of the critical tests in their calendars. Marked by weeks or even months of preparation, exam day finally arrives and one simple miscalculation ruins the whole show.
Be it arriving late, having the wrong stationery, or even ignoring new rules, horror stories happen all the time on IELTS exam day.
In this blog, you will learn about:
Real test day mistakes and all horror stories,
What NOT to do on IELTS exam day,
The latest pen-only rule that applies to paper-based IELTS,
Essential ID and timing requirements,
How to avoid reporting pitfalls and get there.
Let’s get into it.
Pen-only policy: new important rule for IELTS paper-based tests
Here is the current global situation, including Nepal.
I.e. pencil is NOT allowed in any section of the paper-based IELTS test.
A black ballpoint pen provided by the test center is the only thing acceptable for the Listening, Reading and Writing sections.
No personal stationery is allowed, including your pen, pencil, and eraser.
Not complying with this rule may get you disqualified or your test results canceled.
Do take note of checking updates through your test center and following these instructions carefully.
Common IELTS Exam Day Horror Stories and What NOT to Do
1. Arriving Late and Missing the Test
Horror Story:
Candidates, after all, were late because of traffic or confusion about where the center was located. Unfortunately, entry cut-off times are relatively strict on most centers, so most candidates cannot get in.
What NOT to Do:
Shut your mouth and plan your route carefully. Arrive at least 45 minutes before the exam starts I set up next to you with no verification sitting around, waiting for the exam.
2. Forget to Bring Your Valid ID
Horror Story:
Another person lost his passport and wanted to enter the test center with his student ID card. The test center denied him entry because this approved ID is only accepting the original ID that was used upon registration.
What NOT to Do:
Present the original valid photo ID (passport or national ID) used during registration, as is. Expired IDs or photocopies are inappropriate.
3. Bringing Pencil or Personal Stationery
Horror Story:
Not much has changed on test day. Test-takers bring along all those items on the test day but still practice with their pencils. Their owned pens or erasers come along with those items. The invigilators take them, and their test results get invalidated.
What NOT to Do:
Do NOT take any personal stationery. The black ballpoint pen provided by the test center is the only intended writing instrument to be found at all answer sheets.
4. Using the Wrong Pen Color
Horror Story:
Some of them used blue, red, or gel pens, thinking it was allowed. The scanning machines made no reference to these kinds of inks, thus creating errors in scoring.
What NOT to Do:
Only use the black ballpoint pen provided by the test center. Other colors or pen types are not allowed.
5. I Don’t Know How to Correct Mistakes
Horror Story:
Squiggles and cross-out marks behind them are messy. Examiners get confused and fail to interpret their answers, because of that failing to credit them marks.
What NOT to Do:
If you make a mistake, draw a single neat line through the incorrect answer and write the correct answer clearly next to it. Avoid heavy scribbling.
6. Practicing Only With Pencil Before the Exam
Horror Story:
Though trained on writing with a pencil, the students are lost in answering with a pen during the test itself. Thus, the speed of writing slows down and the test-taker has to make messy corrections.
What NOT to Do:
Do all your Writing, Listening, and Reading responses using a black ballpoint pen to get used to real test conditions.
7. Ignoring Official Updates
Horror Story:
Many candidates relied on outdated information or unofficial sources and were thus oblivious to the changes that the pen-only policy entailed, causing confusion when it came to penalties.
What NOT to Do:
Always remember checking on the official IELTS website, British Council or IDP pages for the recent regulations and updates regarding the test.
Basic Important IELTS Exam Day Requirements
🕒 Arrive Early.
Early enough: 45 minutes response time to avoid last-minute rush and finish registration.
🆔 Bring Valid Original ID
Valid original photo ID (passport or national ID) must be mandatory for registration. No photocopies or other IDs accepted.
🖊️ Black ballpoint pen only provided by Test Center
No personal pen or pencil is allowed, black pen for all sections is provided by the Test Center.
👕 Dress Comfortably and Follow Test Center Rules
Wear comfortable clothing and follow any specific instructions regarding bags, electronics, and belongings.
Quick checklist: What NOT to Do on IELTS Day
❌ Mistake ✅ What to Do Instead
Late arrival Arrive 45 minutes early
Lost valid ID Bring original passport or national ID
Pencil or private pens Use only a black pen provided by the test center
Using blue, red, or gel pens Use only black ballpoint pen
Messy corrections or scribbling Neatly cross out with a single line
Practice only using pencil Use a black pen to practice
Neglecting official test rule updates check on official sites of IELTS or British Council
Final thoughts.
The IELTS test is language-acquired knowledge but also involves gaining some skill in ooze-the-sleeve instructions. Adding this into the equation is really torch going to make the student consciously prepared on exam day.
New pen-only policy high ID requirements strict timing regulations: The importance of being very familiar with all the details that involve a student on the exam day cannot be overstated.
By avoiding these common mistakes, keeping up to date, and being properly prepared, one is well on the way to success and the band score duly deserved.
