IELTS Listening: How important is spelling?

The British Council’s LearnEnglish site answers this question clearly and succinctly: ‘Everything must be spelled correctly.’ So, what are the pitfalls? In this blog post we’re going to look at just one scenario.
The problem


In the IELTS Listening test, you may have the answer spelled out for you. For example, one of the speakers might spell their name, and you have to copy it down. This can present a number of challenges:
Some English letters sound similar to each other: m and n, for example, are very similar so you have to listen carefully.
Some English letters sound like different letters in other languages. For instance, j in English sounds like g in French.
Two English letters may simply sound the same in your language. A Spanish speaker might find it difficult to tell the difference between b and v.

Ielts Listening Tips ( Ielts Listening İpuçları)

Ielts Listening Tips


Make the most of your Listening test:


if you cannot hear the audio clearly, let a member of staff know straightaway


follow the instructions carefully; they may be different to practice or previous tests


listen for the specific information you want


try and anticipate what the speaker will say; this will require concentration


do not worry if there is a word you do not understand; you may not need to use it


if you do not know the answer to a question, attempt it but do not waste time; move quickly onto the next one


be careful with your spelling and grammar


do not panic if you think the topic is too difficult or the speaker is too fast; relax and tune in


read, write and listen at the same time


focus precisely on what you are asked to do in completion type questions


pay attention to the word limit; for example, if you are asked to complete a sentence using no more than two words, if the correct answer is ‘leather coat’, the answer ‘coat made of leather’ would be incorrect


if the question asks you to complete the note ‘in the…’ and the correct answer is ‘morning’, note that ‘in the morning’ would be incorrect; the correct answer is 'morning'


attempt all questions; there are no penalties for incorrect answers


check your answers
Source: http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-your-test/test-day-advice/listening-test-advice