As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I understand the importance of being well-prepared for test day. Students often ask me specific questions about what they can and cannot bring into the examination room. One common query is: “Can I take a highlighter into the IELTS test?” Let’s shed some light on this and clarify the rules regarding allowed materials.
Understanding IELTS Test Day Regulations
The IELTS test, whether taken on paper or on a computer, has strict regulations to ensure fairness and standardized conditions for all test takers. These regulations extend to the items you can have with you in the examination room. While seemingly trivial, adhering to these rules is crucial to avoid any disruption or misunderstanding on your test day.
Highlighters in the IELTS Test: Allowed or Not?
Here’s the straightforward answer: No, you are generally not allowed to bring your own highlighter into the IELTS test room.
The official IELTS website clearly states that you are only permitted to use the pencil provided for the paper-based Listening, Reading, and Writing tests. For the computer-delivered IELTS, you will be provided with scratch paper and pens.
The use of highlighters or colored pens is not permitted. This is primarily to ensure that markings on the answer sheet are clear and easily read by the computer for scoring purposes.
IELTS Test Materials
What You CAN Bring to the IELTS Test
While highlighters are a no-go, you are allowed to bring a few essential items:
- Your Passport: This is your primary form of identification and is mandatory.
- Pencils and Erasers: While these are provided, it’s a good idea to bring your own in case the provided ones break or you prefer a specific type.
- Water: You are usually allowed a clear bottle of water.
It’s best to leave any other items, including watches, phones, bags, and stationery, in the designated areas as instructed by the test center staff.
Focusing on Effective Strategies Over Highlighters
Instead of relying on highlighters, focus on developing effective reading and note-taking techniques.
- Skimming and Scanning: Practice quickly identifying key information in the Reading and Listening sections.
- Keywords: Train yourself to spot important keywords and phrases that signal answers or main ideas.
- Mental Highlighting: During your practice sessions, try to “highlight” key information in your mind. This mental exercise can be very effective on test day.
Remember, your success in the IELTS depends on your English language skills and test-taking strategies, not on external tools. By focusing on effective preparation and understanding the rules, you can approach your IELTS test with confidence.
