So now there's help...

Unlike the last time I sat the IELTS, now there are online resources that prepare candidates for the test.

I received an email from the IELTS around six days to a week after submitting the application at the branch.

It reads:

Dear TAAHA ABDUL LATIF

Thank you for registering for IELTS with The British Council.

Please note that we have received your application form and payment slip. Your registration status is confirmed now.

Following are your test details:

Customer Reference Number : ommitted -

Name : TAAHA ABDUL LATIF

Test Date : 25 Sep 2010

Test Centre : KARACHI

Test Module : AC

Date of Birth : 1981-01-09

Gender : Male

Passport/CNIC No : - ommitted -

Payment Date : 2010-09-15

Your Correspondence Address : - ommitted -

You will receive your venue letter 4-7 days before test. You will also receive your IELTS test details on your mobile phone 2-3 days before the test date. In case you do not receive your test details, alternately check them on our website: pakistan.ielts.britishcouncil.org

Please login at above link to get access on Road to IELTS, a free online preparation course providing practice in all four modules of the IELTS test.

If you need any assistance, please write to our Information Centre team at info@britishcouncil.org.pk or call us Toll free on 0800 22000:

Yours sincerely

IELTS Administrator
British Council
C/o British Deputy High Commission
Shahrah-e-Iran, Clifton
PO Box 13811, Karachi, Pakistan
T +92 (0)21 111 424 424
F +92 (0)21 111 425 425


The website has pretty much everything needed to prepare for the test in the IELTS preparation page, while the mentioned Road to IELTS also has at least a whole day's worth of preparation with reference to three different modes that orient you towards topical areas of health, business and society.

Registration and payment is also now online for the test so no more handwritten applications being sent in from the branch.

Also I need to check the test details that will be available 2-3 days before the test date.

The latest update is that I just received my Test notification by post, dated as of yesterday -exactly one week following the submission of my application, informing me of the test venue and time, as well as a transparent pencil case with all the stationery I need for the exam (pen, pencil, sharpener and eraser) and an Information for Candidates booklet with information regarding the test format.

The speaking test is one day before the written test at 12:55 with 20 minutes prior reporting time and the venue is St. Michael's Convent School. I'll probably go in my Friday clothes as the test is just around prayer time and I may just be able to join in once I've given the interview.

The written test is on the day that I scheduled for at the same venue as last time (Regent Plaza Hotel) at 1 p.m., with reporting time 45 minutes earlier at 12:15.

The notice also reminds me to bring in my original identification provided in the registration form and strictly adhere to the stated timings.

Mobile phones and anything other than the required stationery in a clear plastic bag and a noiseless clock are prohibited inside the examination hall.

It will be a good idea to memorize relevant codes for the exams to ensure that form-filling between sections is not problematic (last time I almost wrote the wrong candidate ID on my written test). This includes the test center (PK010 British Council Karachi) and my six digit candidate number (00 22 84) {Hmm, 2+2 is 4, which is the last digit, and all of these numbers added together is 8, which precedes the last digit 4}.

Given the current state of affairs in the city, it will not be surprising if there are any changes to these test details, as the British Council reserves the right to make amendments or changes as necessary without prior notice.