IELTS Computer Delivered Tests + Band Score

Dates,Times and Currencies

by Waqar Afridi
(Peshawar, Pakistan)

How to fill in dates in IELTS ACADEMIC LISTENING?

For example how to write "First of july'?? 1st of july or 1 july???

Also how to write 9pm to 4 pm??? 9-4pm or 9 am to 4 pm given we have to just write 3 words. plz give me a confirm answer becoz my bands are reduced due to these things.

Comments for Dates,Times and Currencies

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Jul 01, 2016
 Dates and Times
by: IELTS buddy

Any of the suggestions you wrote should be fine.

9am to 4pm is three words / and or numbers (they would count 9am as one word/number).
Jan 27, 2018
 Listening
by: Y.h

Can i write : "one year" in a one word and or number
Feb 04, 2018
 Listening
by: IELTS buddy

Yes that would be fine.
Apr 19, 2018
 Question
by: achiever

Hi!

I have a question regarding a task I recently did on the listening test (ielts book 9, test 4).

They asked me to fill the gaps with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER. I did as they required. The key however says that almost all of my answers are wrong, which is quite surprising:

How did the students do their practical sessions?

My answer was "in small group" (the exact quotation from the recording), the key says just "groups", which is not even a linguistically correct answer to the question about the method (at least "in" should be included)

In a different question about how did someone feel, I quoted the recording again ("much more confident") and the key got me wrong again as they claim it to be just "confident".

In no question did I disobey the instruction, just provided strictly as the recording said.

How do you think they would mark my answers? Thanks for any help!
Apr 27, 2018
 Question
by: IELTS buddy

I really can't say for sure what IELTS would actually do if marking that but I looked at Test 9, Section 4 and yes you are right that your answers fit and should be correct.

I can only assume in the real test you would have got the marks, but nobody has access to see what they have actually done on the day when they mark someone.
May 18, 2018
 Getting a low score
by: Anonymous

Hello, i cannot seem to understand why i'm getting a low grade in listening. when they say numbers, for example 5, should i write is as five? or 5? i cannot find out why i can't get a high grade even despite finding it very easy.
May 27, 2018
 Getting a low score
by: IELTS buddy

You can write it as '5' or 'five'.

It may just be that you need to improve your listening skills. What are your scores for the other modules?

If they are similar then that is probably the level you are at.

If you buy the official Cambridge IETLS practice test books you can check your answers in there to see what you are doing wrong.
Jun 30, 2018
 one word question
by: Anonymous

I have wrote "15 october" in one of the answer... but it was question in which it was mentioned that Write no more than one word or no.? is it right or wrong answer
Jul 03, 2018
 one word question
by: IELTS buddy

Are you sure it didn't say one word AND / or a Number? That's what it usually says and in that case "15 October" would fit.

If it was only 'or' there must be an error somewhere, either in your answer or in the practice paper you are using.
Jul 04, 2018
 one word question
by: Anonymous

The Audio tape says 15th October as date of arrival. And In the question, date of arrival was asked and I think the instruction was write one word or a number. Would it be correct if we just write "Fifteenth" or should it be 15th October?

Also, would the instruction would always be "write one word and/or a number" or can it also be "write one word/or a number"?
Jul 05, 2018
 one word question
by: IELTS buddy

If it was '15 October' it would have to be one word and / or a number but I can't say for sure what the instructions were.

Yes you can say fifteenth instead of 15th but I would just stick with the number.
Jul 07, 2018
 DATE AND TIME
by: Anonymous

I also attended the same test and I wrote just 15th. Is it correct?
Jul 08, 2018
 DATE AND TIME
by: IELTS buddy

I really can't say without seeing the test.
Sep 06, 2018
 How to write a number in ielts
by: Jisen

1000 or 1,000
10000 or 10,000
which is correct in the test.
I take a exam, and the teacher told me that 10,000 is right. but I don't know why?
Sep 08, 2018
 How to write a number in ielts
by: IELTS buddy

Yes the correct way officially is with the comma so do that in the test but both are ok in terms of getting the point in IELTS.
Sep 10, 2018
 how are dates counted in IELTS
by: Anonymous

in cabridge IELTS book 9 listening test 2 the officer asks a student about her date of birth and the question says one word and/or number only, she said 31st of March 1972 and i wrote in my answer 31 March 1972 because according to what i know: IELTS counts dates as one word but the answer key says 31 March without mentioning the year. why is that?
Sep 13, 2018
 how are dates counted in IELTS
by: IELTS buddy

Your question has come up before. I think that one is an error with the test as it's impossible to answer it by only using one number - you need two: 31 and 1972.
Sep 23, 2018
 Date Inquiry
by: Broadway Diva

Is the answer "10/02/1998" considered one word or three words?
Sep 27, 2018
 Date Inquiry
by: IELTS buddy

Neither, that would be three numbers.
Nov 09, 2018
 hours
by: Anonymous

it is said that no more than 2 word and/or a number for each answer

but the answer is 4.30pm is it possible?
Nov 14, 2018
 hours
by: IELTS buddy

"4.30" is being counted as the number and "pm" is probably not included, but even if "pm" is called a word, it's still ok as it says '2 words and / or a number'.
Dec 21, 2018
 is the "weekday" part of the "date" ?
by: Anonymous

Please may you tell me is the "day" part of the "date" ?

for example the question says Public grand opening date:

and the instructions are NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER

in the recording he said Saturday March 19th, so I my answer was Saturday March 19th.

The answer was wrong and March 19th was written as the right answer.. So that means whenever they ask for a date the "day" is not part of it ?
Jan 16, 2019
 date format in IELTS Listening
by: Anonymous

speaker in ielts test speak 'June 6th'
but i write '6th june'
is it right or not
Jan 16, 2019
 date format in IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

6th June would be fine
Feb 03, 2019
 Date Format
by: Anonymous

Will all the following date formats be accepted?

15th June
June 15th
15 June
June 15
15/06

Which one is recommended?
Feb 03, 2019
 IELTS Date Format
by: IELTS buddy

I would stick with the common way we write them in normally which are these:

15th June
15 June
15/06

I wouldn't say 'June 15' as we tend to use that format for the year i.e. 'June (20)15'
Feb 11, 2019
 IN 1968 or 1968
by: Anonymous

Instruction in question paper was NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

SPEAKER SAID, "IN 1968 ALCOTT PUBLISHED LITTLE WOMEN"

SO I PUT "IN 1968" IN THE BLANK SPACE.
BUT IN ANSWER SHEET IT WAS ONLY "1968"

ARE THEY BOTH CORRECT OR MY ANSWER WILL BE COUNTED AS WRONG?
Feb 11, 2019
 IN 1968 or 1968
by: IELTS buddy

It's not possible to answer your question without further information as it depends what was on the question sheet.

If "In" was written on the question sheet, then you should only write "1968", but if "in" was not there you should put "in 1968".

It also of course depends on the context of the question.

It's possible the answer key you are looking at is wrong as mistakes are sometimes made with tests that are written and that are not real tests.
Mar 31, 2019
 IELTS Date confusion
by: Roy’sRoy

15th June
15 June
June 15th
June 15
June the 15th...
...which all are considered as correct answers...??
Jun 20, 2019
 Hour and minute
by: Anonymous

Can time recited as 'two thirty' be written as 2.30 or 2:30? It's confusing to me.
Jun 23, 2019
 Hour and minute
by: IELTS buddy

Either of those would be accepted in IELTS but we tend to use two dots, not one.
Jun 26, 2019
 IELTS Time and Date
by: Anonymous

I am currently doing practice test. I wrote 9:15pm but the correct answer showed 9.15.
Jun 28, 2019
 IELTS Time and Date
by: IELTS buddy

Was 'pm' on the question sheet? You should not write anything in the answer key if it is already on the question sheet.

And did the speaker say 'pm'? If not there was no need to place it in. Also remember if it is a practice test there could be an error with it.
Jul 04, 2019
 One dot or two dots?
by: Anonymous

How should I write the time? 5:30 or 5.30?
Aug 13, 2019
 % symbol
by: Anonymous

Is 20% considered by IELTS as one number?
Aug 14, 2019
 Two words separated by and
by: Anonymous

The question is ____ and ____ (and is printed)

Which of the below is the correct answer

a) Books, Bags
b) Books Bags
c) Books and Bags

Please help
Aug 14, 2019
 % and words separated by 'and'
by: IELTS buddy

20% is one number but 20 per cent would be a number and two words.

Regarding two words separated by 'and', both of these would be ok:

a) Books, Bags
b) Books Bags

You can't use 'c' as 'and' has already been given on the question sheet so it is not missing and should not be in the answer.
Aug 21, 2019
 write years
by: Anonymous

Speaker says one yeas in sydney and 6 months in melbourne.. Question is how long sara stayed in australia?

not more than one word/ or a number

what's the correct answer?
i wrote 1.5 years..
Nov 25, 2019
 Time
by: Anonymous

I written my answer as 9:15 but in the answer sheet answer was 9.15. So, my answer is wrong or right . Is there a matter of two or one dot ?
Jan 22, 2020
 DAy and date
by: Akbar

The question says NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER ,I wrote like this:Monday, June 10th
However, according to the answer,it should be Monday ,June 10.whey is that,In the recording ,I clearly heard "It will be held in Monday june the 10th ,What have i done wrong
Aug 02, 2020
 date and time
by: Anonymous

Hello, I have a query related with writing date. If the instruction reads as "No more than one word and/or a number" can I write date as 2nd August (for example) or should I write 2 August?

Another confusion I have is with time. Can the time be written as 4:30 (for example) or need to be written as 4.30 if the instruction reads as "No more than one word and/or a number"

Thank you for your help.
Aug 03, 2020
 date and time
by: IELTS buddy

In both of your questions, either of the answers you gave would be ok.
Oct 10, 2020
 Dates
by: Anonymous

Hey I have written 13 October instead of 13th October in listening . Is this wrong?for one word and/or number
Dec 07, 2020
 Time limit
by: Sayeed

Can I write time range in Listening answers like 7:30 Pm - 5:00am or 7:30 pm to 5:00 am.

Are both of them correct or I should write anyone among these two?
Dec 08, 2020
 Time limit
by: IELTS buddy

I think it's unusual to have to put so many times in, it's usually just one, but either of those should be ok.
Jan 07, 2021
 date and time
by: Anonymous

Completing notes.

Given: NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER

QS: .... January

The speaker tells 25th of January while speaking out in the test.

Now, what's the correct answer for the question?

(a) 25
(b) 25th
(c) twenty fifth
Jan 08, 2021
 date and time IELTS
by: IELTS buddy

Any of those would be ok because:

(a) 25 = A NUMBER
(b) 25th = A NUMBER
(c) twenty fifth = NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
Jan 23, 2021
 IELTS date doubt
by: Anonymous

I wrote 16th october instead of 16 October, 1980 as instructions were 1 number or 2 words ...is it correct?
Jan 24, 2021
 IELTS date doubt
by: IELTS buddy

If you needed the year '1980' according to the answer key then it will be wrong if you didn't use it.

Those instructions sound wrong: "1 number of 1 word". That doesn't fit with the answers.

Was it an official IELTS test? If not perhaps it's an error with the test.
Mar 15, 2021
 .
by: Anonymous

Ifor no more than two words and/or a number how to write date of birth. Speaker says 17th ocotber 1987.
Mar 26, 2021
 postal codes and contact numbers
by: Anonymous

Is it mandatory to give a space between postal code and phone numbers.
Example : 08G BH7 (postal code)
: 025 2265 05665

can I write them as 08GBH7 and 025226505665
Mar 28, 2021
 postal codes and contact numbers
by: IELTS buddy

It won't make any difference in terms of being right or wrong, but perhaps leave a gap because it's a bit easier to read.
Apr 25, 2021
 Duration of time
by: Anonymous

Hi..

Speaker says "1 hour and a half"
Test asks NO MORE THAN 2 WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER.

I totally got confused in this one.. I answered "1h30min" but I wasn't sure.

What would you believe to be the right answer for this one.

Thank you
Apr 26, 2021
 Duration of time
by: IELTS buddy

You could say "1.5" hours, but where was the test? Was it an official Cambridge IELTS test and was there an answer key?
Apr 27, 2021
 Writing date correctly
by: Anonymous

Hi the test says 2 words or/and a number I wrote my answer as 22nd January( January is already written) and 13th March but when i checked the key it is 13 and 22. Are my answers correct or incorrect?
Jun 09, 2021
 Timing in listening audio
by: Anonymous

If the question says not more than 2 words and then the audio plays 25% to be written in one of the answers, how are we supposed to write it?

As numbers are not in the instructions?

Another query - The audio plays a date as May 5th.

In the answer do we write exactly the same way or we have to change it to 5th May?
Jun 10, 2021
 Timing in listening audio
by: IELTS buddy

Was it an official Cambridge practice test? The instructions for the number sound incorrect.

May 5th or 5th May would be ok.
Sep 10, 2021
 IELTS Confusions
by: Anonymous

I took listening test (IELTS 5 book)
In one of the listening section
I wrote the answer as "second half"
But on checking the answer it said "2nd half"

Will my answer be right?

My 2nd doubt is -
In certain answers there is hyphen used between the words
For example "drop-off" or "e-mail"
But I write the answer as "drop off" or "email"

Will my answer be considered correct ?

Please help me with the solution.


Sep 11, 2021
 Date of birth
by: Anonymous

Hi.
Speaker says the date of birth "Nineteen zero seven 1984"
Test asks NO MORE THAN 2 WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER.
I answered "Nineteen July 1984" is that wrong?
Thanks
Jun 12, 2022
 IELTS listening - Times
by: Rajbir

i want to ask if in listening speaker told eight thirty morning then am needs need to be necessary
written.

Means what is correct answer for eight thirty in the morning.

8.30
or
8.30am

and for six thirty in afternoon.

6.30
or
6.30pm
Jun 14, 2022
 IELTS listening - Times
by: IELTS buddy

If the speaker doesn't say "am" or "pm" I wouldn't bother adding it - as a general rule for listening, it's better not to put in things that were not said.

And visa versa - if they do say it, you should put it in.
Mar 10, 2023
 IELTS Listening test 2
by: Anonymous

Recently there was a question about date of birth - one word and/or a number, then how could i manage the date month and year in a single word and one number?
Mar 11, 2023
 IELTS Listening test 2
by: IELTS buddy

I'd really need to see the test to know whether anything was wrong. But I'd ask:

- was it an official IELTS test? (perhaps there's an error with it)
- did it definitely require the year? (if not, a day and month would fit e.g. 15 May)
Nov 28, 2023
 I questions about writing phone numbers and floor numbers
by: Anonymous

In the case of phone numbers, does it matter if we write them with no spaces or dashes, just all the numbers together ? And for floor numbers, can we write 6th as "SIXTH" like would it matter ?
Nov 29, 2023
 I questions about writing phone numbers and floor numbers
by: IELTS buddy

You don't need spaces or dashes.

6th or sixth is ok.
Nov 07, 2024
 A DOUBT
by: Anonymous

Good morning:

I have a question regarding to the correcting rules.

In a listening test I put 'wheelchair accessibility' because the voice says 'accessibility' and the web marked me wrong because the answer is 'wheelchair access'. Both of them would be correct?

And another question. A few days ago I put 6 pm and it was wrong because the answer was 6 p.m. Today I put 6 p.m. and it is wrong because the answer is 6 pm. What would be the correct answer?

Thank you so much.
Nov 08, 2024
 A DOUBT
by: IELTS buddy

I'd need to see the test and the context to know if 'access' or 'accessibility' could fit correctly but you are right that the answers is usually exactly what was said rather than the form being changed.

Also if the system is marking 6pm right one time but wrong another time is sound like an error in the system.

Where did you take the test? Is it an official IELTS test online? If not, it's possible it's an error with the test.

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How do we write dates in the IELTS Listening?

by Maria Snegovaya
(Denmark)

Hi,

I have a question about how to write dates?

For example would it be a mistake if I will write in the answer 9.09 instead of 9th of September? Can you give me an advice how to write right dates?

Also if there are days of week like Monday 9.09...

Thanks

Comments for How do we write dates in the IELTS Listening?

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May 19, 2015
 Dates in the IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Maria,

I do not think the format you used will be correct. The only time we use numbers like that is when we are writing the day, month and year.

Eg. 12.09.15 / 12.9.15

These are the ways we write dates (with no year):

12th of September
12 September
25th September

You could also put the date after the month:

September 12
September 25th

Remember if the instructions say use only two words you should not put the 'of' in.

If there was a 'day of the week' then you would just put that at the beginning:

Monday 12th September

Thanks
Aug 07, 2015
 12th or 12
by: Anonymous

Is there a difference between 12th February and 12 February? Will I lose the point if I write 12th instead of 12?

Thank you.
Aug 08, 2015
 12th or 12
by: IELTS buddy

No it is the same so you should be ok.
Mar 07, 2016
 How to write century
by: Lana

Hi. What about centuries? Is it important to write "th" at the end? For example, if I wrote 19 instead 19th. Is it wrong?
Mar 07, 2016
 How to write century
by: IELTS buddy

I would check what is in the answer key, but century should normally have the "th".
Apr 12, 2016
 About abbreviation
by: luc ia

Can I write Oct. instead of October?
Apr 13, 2016
 About abbreviation
by: IELTS buddy

I've never heard that they accept abbreviations for months so that would likely be wrong.
Dec 04, 2016
 Date
by: Anonymous

What if I forgot to put date on the heading? Will it affect my score?
Dec 04, 2016
 Date on heading
by: IELTS buddy

What heading? I'm not sure what you mean.
Oct 09, 2017
 Writing Date of birth in IELTS listening
by: Anonymous

If there's a question asking for Date of birth and the recording says "25th of December 2002", what should we write the answer as (in one word only)?
Oct 14, 2017
 Writing Date of birth in IELTS listening
by: IELTS buddy

I'm not quite sure what you mean.

What you write would depend on two things. Firstly, what was missing from the gap, and secondly the instructions for how many words / numbers you are allowed to use.

It's not possible to write "25th of December 2002" as one word only, unless it was 'one word and two numbers' which would be:

25 December 2002
Dec 14, 2017
 Date as one word and/or number
by: Anonymous

The instruction was to use one word and/or a number.
The answer to the question relating to a birthdate was 25 dec, 2012. If it is written as 25/12/2012, does the examiner count it as a word or is it a wrong answer??

======

The listening is not marked by an examiner, just admin staff. But what you have said does not sound correct. I'm not sure how the answer could be '25 Dec 2012' if it says you can only use one number. That is of course two numbers. And the second way you have written it is three numbers, so that would be wrong.

Where did this question and answer come from?

IELTS buddy
Dec 14, 2017
 writing dates
by: Anonymous

How i can write 23th july in capital letters??
Is '23TH JULY' correct?

======

You can use small letters, capital or a mix, so it doesn't matter how you write it. So yes what you wrote is ok.

IELTS buddy
Jan 19, 2018
 In any order
by: Anonymous

In some times find two blanks to fill it for example a chair is made from (leather or metal) in answers i found in any order what is it mean?

And another section i found choosing question it was three answers and he said also in any order... Please till me what is the difference?
Jan 20, 2018
 In any order
by: IELTS buddy

Those will be two or three separate questions so it means it does not matter which order you place them in the answer boxes. So for example:

3. Leather
4. Metal

3. Metal
4. Leather

So either would be ok. And same with the three you mentioned. They can be in any order.
Feb 18, 2018
 currency symbol
by: Anonymous

Hello! i have to clarify something.

How about if the answer should be a type of money eg. dollar or pound. Should i still add the currency symbol like $600 even though the symbol has already given to the question?

I took some exercises on youtube and i always got wrong with it because i didn't put the symbol on it, i only answer 600 instead because the question put already the currency symbol. Is it considered though?

I don't want to miss this kind of reckless answers.
Feb 19, 2018
 currency symbol
by: IELTS buddy

In the IELTS listening you only put what is missing from the gap onto the answer sheet.

So if there is a symbol, for example '$' already on the question sheet, you should NOT then put it onto the answer sheet.

Those practice tests you have been looking at are wrong if they already have the symbol on the question sheet and are then telling you you are wrong if you leave it out of the answer.
May 02, 2018
 writing dates
by: Anonymous

I believe the date should be written as 23rd instead of 23th.
Jun 18, 2018
 Currency
by: Anonymous

If the tape said "one and a half dollars", do I need to write down " $ 1.50 " or is "1.5 dollars" okay?
The word limit was 2 words so I thought it was okay, but apparently it wasn't. In one of my mock tests they marked me wrong for useing "1.5 dollars"
Jun 19, 2018
 Currency
by: IELTS buddy

You can write 'dollars' so I'm not sure why it was marked wrong. You could say: $1.5 or 1.5 dollars.
Jan 08, 2020
 Sign problem
by: Sultan Ali

Do I have to put dollar sign or have to write dollar even after there is already written in the question in IELTS listening.
Aug 13, 2020
 Numbers
by: Sindhuja

Hello,
I have written some mock tests for IELTS, I am so confused that should I write number 5 or five?

because in one of the tests I have written 5 as answer, it marked as wrong and the correct answer says five.

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6 months or Six months?

by Abdul
(Saudi Arabia )

How to write number of months during IELTS listening. For example, if the conversation says that the butterflies take six months to migrate. So should my answer be 6 months or Six months? (question requirement: write no more than two words and/or a number). Thanks

Comments for 6 months or Six months?

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Jun 26, 2016
 Writing numbers
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Abdul,

Either of those would be ok.
Jun 26, 2016
 Thanks
by: Abdul

Cheers.. Thanks
Aug 20, 2016
 Www.ieltsbuddy.com
by: Anonymous

Question was date of birth and instruction was max 2 words. I wrote 16.10.1980.

Is this correct??
Aug 21, 2016
 20 August ielts
by: Anonymous

"2 words and/or a number" therefore it must be 16th October or sixteenth October 1980
Oct 02, 2016
 How are the dates counted?
by: Evgenia

Excuse me, there was the instruction that the date (ex. 12.09.15) is counted as one word. Is that right?
Oct 03, 2016
 Dates
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Evgenia, I've not heard that before, where did you get told that?
Apr 13, 2017
 Please tell me
by: Rehman Khan

How to mention time... I mean which is the right way.. 10:05AM OR 10.05AM ?
Apr 14, 2017
 Time
by: IELTS buddy

10:05AM
Jun 08, 2017
 Date Confirmation
by: Anonymous

Which is correct answer 31st March or 31st March 1972 when we need to write one word and/or a number
Jun 09, 2017
 Date Confirmation
by: IELTS buddy

Your question doesn't really make sense.

If a date was mentioned and the gap of words included day, month AND year, you'd need to put them all.

If the year was already on the paper then you wouldn't put it.

So if it was the first one it would make no sense to be told one word and / or a number. Those instructions would only make sense for the second one.
Nov 15, 2017
 January 7, 2017
by: Sam

It says write no more than 3 words and or/number.

Which way is right?

-Seventh of January 2017
-January 7, 2017
-January seventh, 2017

Is year considered a number
Nov 17, 2017
 January 7, 2017
by: IELTS buddy

A year is a number. The second one would not be ok as you are only allowed one number.
Oct 01, 2019
 dates in listing
by: dj

Is the answer 12.02.2016 considered one word ?
Oct 03, 2019
 dates in listing
by: IELTS buddy

It's unusual to have to write something like that in the listening test but I think that would be three numbers. They are not words.
Aug 26, 2023
 about currency
by: Anonymous

is $25 counted as one number ?
Aug 26, 2023
 about currency
by: IELTS buddy

It's not because someone might want to write 'pounds' instead of '£', but the important thing in those types of questions is to look at what the gap has and what the person says.

If it is "John spent £ ____ at the shop" and the audio says '£25', your answer would be '25'.

If it is "John spent ____ at the shop" then your answer would be '£25' as the pound sign is not in the question.

So it depends whether the sign is given to you or not.
Mar 11, 2024
 Date writing.
by: Anonymous

I wrote, Feb 12, will it be marked as correct

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Dates and Word Limits

by Ahmad

Write a date (31 March 1972) as (one word and/or a number) in listening part, how it could be??

The answer sheet in book 9 indicates that it is (31 march), can 31.03.1972 be right also?

Thanks a lot

Comments for Dates and Word Limits

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Aug 31, 2016
 Dates and Word Limits
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Ahmed,

Can you tell me where that is in book 9 then I can take a look?
Aug 31, 2016
 book 9 / test 2 listening question 2
by: Anonymous

Hi

It is in book 9 / test 2 listening question 2
Aug 31, 2016
 book 9 / test 2 listening question 2
by: IELTS buddy

I had a look. I can only think that it must be an error in the book.

In the answer key it says '31 March' (which fits the instructions of ONE WORD AND / OR A NUMBER) but as you suggest, I'm sure a lot of people would write '31 March 1972' which is her full date of birth.

So I can only assume when it was used as an actual test in the past they would have given people the point for '31 March 1972' but it's impossible to find out.
Aug 31, 2016
 Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thants a lot
Aug 31, 2016
 Suggestion
by: Anonymous

Can't it be correct as 31.03.1972
Is that date can be treated as a number??
Sep 23, 2016
 about date of birth
by: Ranjeet

Hi,

Please tell me how we can write dates of birth with instructions as following:

"Use one word and / or a number"

Is it correct if I write only date with month. For e.g: 24 march 1982

I write only 24th March as my institute teach me it is correct no year required???????????
Sep 23, 2016
 Dates
by: SRB

Hi,

As I know if date is required, that is only about the day and the month of birth (e.g. 02 November)
Sep 25, 2016
 Dates of birth
by: IELTS buddy

It can be dependent on the context i.e. the question in the particular test, but like SRB says, if there are only two spaces on a date of birth is asked for then you would write:

24 March
24th March

If you asked someone when their birthday is they are likely to say "24th March" not "24th March 1982".

You could say either of course, but if you have space for one word and / or a number it is not looking for the year.

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20 May or 21st of May?

by natka

Hi,

I wrote "21st of May" in my listening practice test. However, in the answer key was "21 May", and it was said that my answers should be the exact match.

What's wrong with "21st"? Will it be considered an error in a real test?

Comments for 20 May or 21st of May?

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Oct 16, 2016
 Dates, Times and Currencies
by: IELTS buddy

"21st May" should be fine as it is a common way to write dates.

But whether "21st of May" would be correct or not would depend on the number of words allowed.

If it said "No more than two words and / or a number then "21st of May" would fit ok as that is two words and a number.

Generally speaking though I would just not write the 'of' or 'th/st' to be on the safe side. It is not needed anyway, and if we fill out dates on forms we don't tend to write those in.

Which practice book was it? Was it on of the official Cambridge books?
Nov 18, 2016
 Number or word?
by: jags

Will you please tell me whether 31st will be considered as a word or a number?

If i will write 31st march, will it be considered as two words and a number or a word and a number?

Is it same to write 31 march?
Nov 18, 2016
 Number or word?
by: IELTS buddy

31st would be a number, but yes you can write 31.

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Correct IELTS Date Format

by Aysel Aliyeva
(Azerbaijan Baku)

Hello,

In Listening test, for example:

- 11th April
- 11 April
- 30.04
- 04.30

Which of them is considered to be correct?

Actually, when I simply write 11 April without 'th',the answer is 30th April. Could you please clarify when to write with or without 'th'?

Thanks in advance,

Aysel Aliyeva

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Apr 21, 2017
 Using 'th' in dates
by: IELTS buddy

All of those dates would be ok accept possibly this one:

04.30

It may be accepted as it is the American way of writing dates (month before day) and American English is accepted in IELTS.

However, I'd avoid it and just write it in the normal way for British English to avoid any possible wrong answers.

You don't need the 'th', but it should be fine if you do put it in.

There is no particular rule for using it or not as far as I'm aware.
Apr 11, 2018
 option
by: Anonymous

''11 of April'' would be ok as well?

Considering the instructions as ''TWO Words and/or a number''
Apr 12, 2018
 option
by: IELTS buddy

Yes that's ok as it's TWO Words and a number.

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How to write currencies

by Diks
(Kuwait)

How to write currency in writing test as well in listening test? E.g. if it's USA currency then we should write as USD in word or $ in sign?

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Jul 24, 2016
 currencies
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

I would just write the sign ($) as that is the normal way to do it.

That said, it would make no difference in the writing test whether you used 'USD' or '$', and possibly not the listening either, but as they always use the sign ($) on the listening question sheets I'd do the same to be on the safe side.

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Including the $ and £ symbols

by viin
(india)

If the question says,

$_____ ? does one has to include the symbol($) again in the answer sheet or not?

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Dec 11, 2016
 IELTS Listening $ and £
by: IELTS buddy

No don't include them if they are already on the question sheet.

If they are not on the question sheet then you should include them.
Sep 04, 2020
 Including $ and £ Symbols
by: Anonymous

How can i include symbols like £ in the computer based exam?
Sep 07, 2020
 Including $ and £ Symbols
by: IELTS buddy

You do the test on a normal computer so you will have those symbols on the keyboard.

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Adding Symbols to Answer Sheet

by Riana

If the question asks for a time or price and the question already has 'pm' or the '£' on the question paper and I write the answer with the '£' and 'pm' will I get the answer wrong?

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Jun 04, 2017
 Adding Symbols to Answer Sheet
by: IELTS buddy

Yes it will be wrong because you won't have put what is the correct answer on the answer sheet.

Only put on the answer sheet the words and / or symbols that are missing from the question booklet.
Apr 27, 2021
 using hyphens
by: Sal

Cambridge 9, Test 3, Listening, question 20
in the answer key it says: 5 to 12
It's referring to the age of people (5-12 year-olds) Is it wrong to write 5-12?

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Do I use percentage sign in answers?

by Mary

Hi guys!

Confused about what to fill in when percentage signs or something else are already given.

For example, a pie chart is given where the percentage signs area already there but you have to listen for the numbers.

Do I fill in just the number on my answer sheet or both the number and the percentage sign?

Thanx!

Comments for Do I use percentage sign in answers?

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Dec 30, 2018
by: IELTS buddy

In that case you only put the number, not the percentage sign.

You only ever fill in what is actually missing.

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Using Abbreviations

by Brijesh
(Ahmedabad)

Hi,

Please provide me the guidance as i am going to take test on 26 August which is tomorrow and i need one clarification.

If i write "Aug" instead of "August" or "Jan" instead of "January" will it be the right answer?

Same for the day such as Sun instead of Sunday?

Please please help

Thanks in advance

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Aug 26, 2016
 How to write months and days
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Brijesh,

You don't want to risk losing any marks so just write the full months and days, not abbreviations.
Aug 26, 2016
 thanks
by: Anonymous

thanks a lot really appreciated!!

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Are times words or numbers?

by Abbos-Ali
(Uzbekistan)

I would like to ask a question on IELTS Listening.

In instructions it is written that "No more than 3 words".

And the correct answer is "4.30 pm to 5 pm".
If I count correctly there are 2 numbers and 3 words in the answer. Am I right?

But in instructions there was no any point about numbers!!

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Sep 25, 2016
 Writing times in IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

To be sure to advise you properly I would really need to look at the actual test question and answer that you are looking at.

But firstly "4.30pm" would count as 'one' not 'two'. So there are a total of 'three'.

So I assume the test you are referring to is counting "4.30pm" as a word. Are you sure the test did not say you can use a number as well?

It is possible that it is a mistake in the test.
Jan 11, 2017
 Spellings
by: Neelam

Hello, in listening case can we write short form of month if they speak short of month as 1st Jan???
Jan 12, 2017
 Abbreviating months in IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

If that is what they actually say, then 'Jan' would be fine.

I don't recall ever hearing someone use an abbreviated form in the speaking though but I could be wrong.
Jul 06, 2017
 9:30 am or 9.30 am?
by: Maria

How to write the time correctly in ielts? Is it 9:30 am, with two dots or 9.30 am with one dot?
Many thanks
Jul 07, 2017
 9:30 am or 9.30 am?
by: IELTS buddy

Officially it is two dots but I don't think you'd lose the mark if you used one dot.
Aug 28, 2017
 Time
by: Sahand

Hi,

instead of writing 23rd September, I wrote 23th September, carelessly!! Will I lose mark?

Thanks.
Sep 01, 2017
 Time
by: IELTS buddy

IELTS don't state whether they would accept that kind of mistake or not so it's not possible to know.

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6 or 6pm?

by Malakin

I took the IELTS test yesterday, and I got a little bit confused during the Listening part.

I was allowed to write 'One Word And / Or one Number' and one question was about writing a time. The speaker said that her store closes at 6. So I wrote exactly as I heard '6'.

Is it a correct answer? Or Should I have written it '6:00' or '6:00 PM'?

Thank you

Comments for 6 or 6pm?

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Sep 12, 2017
 Times in IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

That depends what was written on the question sheet.

If it had "...... pm" then you should just write 6.

If it had "........" then you should write 6pm.

You should not write anything that is already on the question sheet as you are just filling in what is in the gap.
Nov 29, 2017
 PM OR pm
by: Anonymous

Hi, if one is writing answers in IELTS listening test using capital letters,how to write the following letters.should they be in capital or small letters?
PM,3rd,5th.
Nov 30, 2017
 PM OR pm
by: IELTS buddy

You don't have to worry about capitalization in IELTS so it doesn't matter.
Jan 12, 2018
 Listening for cost and postcode
by: Anonymous

Hello sir,

I have two ielts listening queries to ask.

1. Should there be any gap while writing a postcode? For example – 3AHT5G

Should I write as written above or should I write 3AH T5G
which one is correct?

2. While writing a cost of anything and if the number is quite long , should we place a comma? Example- $2,400 or $2400.

Which one is correct?
Jan 14, 2018
 Listening for cost and postcode
by: IELTS buddy

For both your questions any of the answers you gave would be ok.
Mar 06, 2018
 Currency
by: Anonymous

If the answer is '25.50 euros' and I put '25,50 euros' Will be wrong??

'All Standard alternatives for numbers, dates and currencies are acceptable'

It is stated in every official Ielts material
Mar 08, 2018
 currency
by: IELTS buddy

It's not possible to say for sure exactly what may have happened when your paper was marked, but really if they decided to be strict it would be marked wrong.

As you state is says 'Standard alternatives' are accepted, which means standard ways in which currencies may be written. But commas are never used as far as I am aware to write currencies in the way you did, so that should be wrong.
Mar 08, 2018
 Currency
by: Anonymous

Firstly, thnx for your attention.

In fact, in Europe, and in many other countries the standard way to express currency is separating cents using a comma.

But I've got what u meant. Thx
Mar 08, 2018
 Currency
by: IELTS buddy

If that is the case then you will probably get it marked correct.

I'm from UK where we use full-stops. I didn't know commas were used elsewhere.
Mar 13, 2018
 Currency
by: Anonymous

I hope so much!

Yeah... apart from Ireland and UK the other countries (at least the majority) use comma as a separator in currency. I checked later that even in Canada on the French part they use comma as well....Anyway....let's see... Once again thx for ur attention.
Mar 13, 2018
 Currency
by: Anonymous

To be honest, I am afraid about ''All standards'' refers to something just under ''british/north american'' style. Like: 12000 or 12,000 or 12 000.

As u stated it is hard to affirm. Damn! I should have stayed on the safe side.

Mar 20, 2018
 Date of Birth in two words, can it include year along with Date
by: Anonymous

If the question asks for Date of Birth to be answered in two words or a number and recording says 15th March 1980 then what is the correct answer.

1) 15th March
2) 15th March 1980
Mar 23, 2018
 Date of Birth in two words, can it include year along with Date
by: IELTS buddy

I would put '15th March'. But what practice test is it? Is it a real Cambridge test?
Mar 24, 2018
 IELTS listening
by: Anonymous

If i wrote time without AM or PM do they mark as incorrect???
In the question paper also AM or PM not written.
Mar 28, 2018
 Missing AM or PM
by: IELTS buddy

The rule is that you should only put what is missing in the gap.

So if the gap on the question paper was "......PM" then you should NOT write 'PM' in your answer. Just the number.

If it was "........." and the 'PM' was missing then you need to write the number + PM.

If you do not follow those rules your answer will be marked wrong.
Apr 08, 2018
 date
by: Anonymous

''th'' is essential????

like 17 of March...is it wrong????
Apr 09, 2018
 th
by: IELTS buddy

It will be ok without 'th'
Apr 10, 2018
 date
by: Anonymous

Oh great....

The ''of'' counts as ''one word'', right?

''17 of March'' (Two words and one number)
Apr 12, 2018
 date of Birth in two words, can it include year along with Date
by: IELTS Buddy

Yes that's Two words and one number. 17 March would be ok as well.
May 06, 2018
 words number.
by: Anonymous

Hello is "th" in 15th March a word too.
Also £20 is the £ a word too. Thanks.
May 10, 2018
 words number
by: IELTS buddy

No things like "th" and "£" are not counted as words.
Aug 11, 2019
 Choose 5 options A-E in ielts listening
by: Imran

There are 5 options to choose in listening. It didn't mention in the question and in the answer sheet in any order.. I got all correct but order was different.. Could you please guide me
Apr 02, 2020
 Date format in a computer based test
by: Anonymous

Is it okay to use any of the date formats in a computer based test too? Will the system be able to recognize the right answer?

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Writing times in IELTS

by George

I have searched many official practice tests (and the Road to IELTS tests) and I have found a huge inconsistence on the way they demand how the time is written.

Everywhere on the question they write it as "9.30am" without a space, even in the audioscripts. On the answer, though, they expect only "9.30 am" with a space, even if in the audio there is no "am" following the number.

On the other hand, sometimes they say the "am" but the answer is correct even with only the number, just "9.30".

I will be giving the CD IELTS test, which is automated. Should I always write the "am" with a space in-between?

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Jun 28, 2020
 Times in IELTS
by: IELTS buddy

It really won't matter about the space, but if you are concerned then leave no space as we don't tend to put a space when we write it.

As for omitting the 'am' or not that depends what the audio says and what it has in the space you have to fill in.

If the audio says "9.30am" and the space is "_______ am" then you would not put the am on the answer sheet. If there is no 'am' then you would need to put it in. That same rules applies to anything like that in the IELTS listening test.

If 'am' is not spoken at all then don't put it in.
Jun 28, 2020
 On CD too?
by: Anonymous

I can understand this is the case for the paper test since examiners view the answers but the CD test is automatically corrected and as I mentioned even the Road to IELTS CD practise test had this way of correcting. Are you 100% sure that it should be without a space and omitted if not in the audio (and not in the answer of course)?
Apr 28, 2024
 Correction
by: Anonymous

How is century written. Eg is it 17th century or 17 century

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Writing dates in IELTS listening

by fatima
(london ontario)

Does the wording of the answers matter?

For example i was doing an online listening test and one of the answers was April 18th, but I put 18th of April and got it wrong. Also another was three days and i put 3 days instead. The requirements was under three words so it wasn't that.

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Feb 14, 2019
 Dates
by: IELTS buddy

It looks like your answers were correct. If you were not doing an official IELTS test written by Cambridge it may just be that they have not given the proper choices in the answer key.

It’s actually much more common to write 18th April than April 18th, so your option should have been in answer key. And 3 or three are acceptable.
Sep 09, 2020
 percent% and article
by: Anonymous

hey guys, I had the first listening test of IELTS 5. one of the answers was 20%, and I wrote 20 percent. is it correct or not?

one more question: in section 1, asking about "the type of transportation", the answer was "a" minibus, but I wrote minibus only. is it correct or not?

thank you in advance
Sep 14, 2020
 percent % and article
by: IELTS buddy

Yes writing % or percent/per cent is ok.

Your second one will likely have been wrong. Your answer must fit grammatically into the space. I don't know the test or question you are referring to but I can only assume it needed to 'a' there to fit properly in the gap.
Feb 04, 2021
 when to use "-"
by: Tarun

when we should " - "
in the answer ?
or if it is mistaken then is it wrong?
Aug 09, 2021
 IELTS LISTENING
by: Anonymous

In IELTS listening, is 22nd considered a "number" (22) or a "word"(twenty-second)?
Aug 12, 2021
 Is it correct if I have written (8:00 Pm) instead of 8 'o clock . Actually the statement was about night time'
by: Anonymous

Pls reply
Sep 11, 2021
 IELTS Doubt
by: Anonymous

Please let me know if in audio it says March 5th and I write March 5th.

But in answer it says "5th March", will my answer be correct ?
Sep 13, 2021
 IELTS Doubt
by: IELTS buddy

Yes your answer will be ok as it can be written either way.
Sep 15, 2021
 IELTS Confusion
by: Anonymous

Please let me know if I write "club house" instead of "clubhouse"
And in the answer section it's written as "clubhouse"

Will be answer be considered wrong?
It's not mandatory to write clubhouse as a single word right? Please help me out in clearing this confusion.
Sep 16, 2021
 IELTS Confusion
by: IELTS buddy

I think they do accept it when one word like that is written as two. However I can't say 100% as it's not something that they have officially disclosed as to what they do in that situation.

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Answer Check

by Avi

• If the answer is 7pm and I wrote it as
7:00pm, then is it still correct?

• Does both 12th November or 12 November
counts?

• If the question is: located on
_______floor.
Are 2nd or 2 both valid answers?

Comments for Answer Check

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Dec 06, 2023
 Answer Check
by: IELTS buddy

The first two are ok but for the last one you can't say '2'. It would have to be '2nd' or 'second'. It needs the article 'the' as well.

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