Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a minimum level of English in order to do this course?
A: Yes! We recommend that you already have an upper intermediate level of English before you enrol on this course. If you are unsure of your level, please take our short online level test.
Q: How many hours a week do I have to study?
A: There are 15 lesons to complete, each one requiring approximately 1 hour of study. The course lasts for 4 weeks so you are expected to do a minimum of 4/5 hours per week in order to complete all the lessons.
Q: Is the course self-access only or do I have some contact with the online tutor?
A: All of the 15 lessons are designed for self-study purposes with interactive exercises and complete answer keys. The writing and speaking lessons involve input from a course tutor, who provides individual feedback on writing tasks and acts as an IELTS examiner for speaking practice tasks.
Q: Do I have to complete the lessons by specific dates?
A: When you enrol on the course you receive a course schedule with suggested dates by which to complete the speaking and writing tasks. However, these dates are flexible, allowing you to choose your own timetable so that you can study in your own time, at your own pace.
Q: How many opportunities do I have to practice speaking?
A: There are 4 speaking lessons and at the end of each one there is a one-to-one practice interview with the course tutor. The interviews are done on Skype so you need to create a Skype account before you start the course.
Q: How do I arrange a time to do my practice speaking interviews?
A: There are allocated sessions with each tutor in the morning, afternoon and evening, 7 days a week, so you choose the time that suits you best and notify your tutor when you would like to doe each interview. You can either leave a message on the course message board or email your tutor directly.
Q: How can I contact the other participants on the course?
A: We recommend that you exchange email addresses and Skype IDs with all the other course members, especially those who are in the time zone as you. This way, you can arrange to meet each other online and practice speaking together.
Q: How much feedback will I get on my writing skills?
A: There are 6 writing tasks in total and when you send each one to your tutor you will receive your detailed feedback (within 48 hours) which includes 2 sample answers, exam tips, and personal advice on which iPass practice materials can help you to improve.
Q: Is the course only for people preparing for Academic IELTS?
A: The speaking and listening tests are the same for both Academic IELTS and General Training so there is no difference in the practice material you need for either exam.
The iPass course materials for writing and reading are based on the Academic IELTS papers. However, if you are preparing for the General Training IELTS exam we can provide you with additional writing tasks.
Q: Can I access other iPass practice material as part of my course subscription?
A: YES. Throughout the duration of the 4-week course, you will have free access to ALL iPass exam practice material that is currently available. This includes the archive of toolbox exercises, the podcasts and videos together with the transcripts and interactive exercises, plus the reading and listening practice tests with support exercises and complete answer keys.
Q: What happens if I need more exam practice or more tutorial support and feedback after my course has finished?
A: You can opt for the iPass IELTS Course EXTRA which gives you 4 additional writing tasks with feedback, plus 2 extra speaking practice sessions with an iPass online tutor. The Course EXTRA also provides 3-month access to ALL iPass practice material.
Q: Do I receive any certification after completing the course?
A: If you complete all the tasks within the 15 lessons, which include a complete reading test, a complete writing test and a mock speaking test, then you will receive an iPass certificate stating that you have completed a 4-week online Academic IELTS preparation course, consisting of approximately 15 hours of study.
