ELS Language Centers - Houston — Local services in Houston

This review is about the IELTS test I took at this center.

While the staff were friendly, my overall experience was far from pleasant. Here’s why:

The IELTS test was scheduled for 9:00 am, with the website advising arrival at 8:00 am. However, upon arrival, there was a sign instructing us to wait until 8:15 am until we were called. When a staff member finally came, we were all taken up in the elevator at once, which seemed potentially unsafe.

The check-in process lasted less than a minute, after which we were made to wait over 30 minutes in a room without access to phones. This wait was draining and negatively impacted my focus.

The number of passport checks was excessive, and the overall level of scrutiny and instructions was over the top. It felt like they were giving the test more importance than it warranted—after all, it's just an English test, not a job interview.

During the wait, we were suddenly informed that the speaking appointments would be rescheduled due to the availability of only one examiner. Out-of-town candidates were given priority, which was frustrating since this is a paid service, and the timing was pre-booked online. The staff didn’t even offer an apology for the inconvenience.

For the speaking test, we were asked to arrive 20 minutes early, but the time given was based on their convenience, not the one I had booked. The check-in took one minute, followed by another 19 minutes of waiting in a small room with uncomfortable chairs. The examiner asked for my passport again, both before and inside the testing room.

I also found it odd that they required us to leave our analogue watches in the...

I have recently taken the IELTS test here, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. One of the staff members displayed unprofessional and unfriendly behavior, especially toward test takers from other countries. She examined our passports with what appeared to be a disrespectful attitude.

I was particularly dissatisfied with the speaking test. The examiner seemed to show a lack of respect for international candidates. He often appeared dismissive or condescending in his facial expressions when I answered the questions. This made the testing environment uncomfortable and discouraging.

Although I only received a 6.5 on the IELTS, I believe this result was negatively affected by the testing experience and the unprofessional conduct at the test center. Afterwards, I took the Duolingo English Test and scored 150 out of 160. I highly recommend the Duolingo test to other international students, as most universities in the U.S. now accept it as valid proof of English...

Nearest Center from my place. Make sure if its ur 1st time to carry only passport and an unlabeled transparent bottle. Arrive well in advance to avoid panics and missing the IELTS. Drink less water and eat less in the morning time, may be a light corn flakes breakfast would help.

Caution: this center has very good and welcoming staff however they have space crunch unlike other institutes, hence I gave 4 instead of 5; the only reason. If they could give more waiting space for students/applicants at this center or figure out an alternative there is nothing like it. Another small distraction was we could hear the neighboring room listening announcements which was initially a botheration but got better once we progressed into the later phases.

overall, a good experience however take the necessary precautions like I listed above and take ample rest before the test night to be ALERT during your test. All the best, don't be afraid its just another...