You’ve practiced until your head spins. You’ve worried about achieving the band score you need to go to the institution of your dreams. Now you have to worry about what to wear too?!
If you’re worried about what to wear for the IELTS speaking test, the good news is that there is no official dress code. You can wear whatever you want. However, keep in mind you will be speaking to another human. Look presentable! Consider wearing something formal to boost your confidence.
Should I Wear a Suit?
The IELTS test is a formal test, but it isn’t a formal environment. The IELTS speaking test is built like a discussion between two people. This allows you to use things like slang and informal idioms and collocations to show off your English abilities.
So, you don’t need to wear a full suit and tie to your IELTS speaking test. It isn’t a job interview. However, if you have a suit and you feel comfortable and confident when you wear it, then you definitely should.
Be sure to wear clothes that make you feel confident and upbeat. If the clothes you are wearing make you feel comfortable and positive, this will directly translate to your performance on the test. You will feel less stress and worry because your outfit presents you in a good way.
Remember this English saying, “The clothes make the man!”
Comfort First.
The most important thing is to feel comfortable during your IELTS exam. If you’re wearing a heavy, hot suit and your shoes are too tight, so your feet hurt; you won’t be able to provide your best effort during the speaking test. You’ll be too distracted!
That is why it’s crucial that you feel comfortable during your test. This will allow you to relax; while you focus on showing the examiner your English skills. You should wear clothes that not only look good but also feel good on your body.
Easy on the Scents!
Have you ever been in the same room as someone wearing way too much perfume or cologne? You can smell them from across the room, and you choke, and your eyes start to water if they walk passed you.
Don’t be that person.
You may consider wearing a scent to your IELTS speaking test. That’s fine! Of course, you don’t want to go there smelling bad. Deodorant, perfume, or cologne are all fine to wear to your speaking test, but don’t go overboard! Use them sparingly.
That way, you make the testing room a comfortable environment for your examiner. You don’t want to upset them, and you definitely don’t want them to rush through your test because you smell so strongly that they want you out of the room right now!
If the examiner can relax and enjoy testing you, you can be sure that you’re getting the best testing experience that you can. Of course, the IELTS examiner will not unfairly penalize you. After all, they’re only evaluating your English abilities, but keep in mind that they are only human too. So make sure you maximize your chances by making the testing room a comfortable place to be.
Don’t Stress.
With all that said, don’t worry too much! Try and treat the IELTS speaking test like you would meeting a friend for coffee. You are having a discussion with someone about a topic, so relax! Enjoy the conversation and listen carefully to the questions.
Make sure that you get enough sleep the night before. It’s more important to get a full night of sleep than it is to spend that time studying more for the test. Most of us feel our sharpest and most focused in the morning, so try to book your test for then so you can take advantage of that.
Wake up early and eat a full breakfast so you have all the energy you need for the test.
Get to your testing center, well-rested, well-fed, and well dressed; this will maximize your chances of passing the IELTS speaking test with the band score you need!
