One of the most common questions those preparing for IELTS ask during listening practice is surprisingly simple:

“If the answer is 20 percent, can we write 20%, 20 percent, or 20 per cent? Are all accepted?”

Because IELTS is known for strict marking, many test-takers worry that choosing the “wrong” format might cost them a mark. Fortunately, the rule is more flexible than most people expect.

Yes, all versions are accepted.

IELTS accepts all of the following:

• 20%
• 20 percent
• 20 per cent
• twenty percent

Both British spelling (“per cent”) and American spelling (“percent”) are valid. You may write the percentage symbol or spell out the word as the meaning remains the same, and IELTS does not penalize you for these variations.

So in terms of spelling, candidates have freedom.

But the word/number limit still applies.

This is where many candidates accidentally lose marks.

Different versions count as different numbers of “words”. For example:

• 20% → 1 number
• 20 percent → 1 number + 1 word
• twenty percent → 2 words
• twenty per cent → 3 words

So when the instructions say:

“NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER”

Then only these formats are safe:

✔️ 20 (if the % symbol is already printed)
✔️ 20%
✔️ 20 percent

Anything longer risks exceeding the limit.

Avoid repeating the % symbol.

Sometimes the answer sheet already includes the percent symbol, like this:

_____ %

In this case:

• Writing 20% → ❌ incorrect
• Writing 20 → ✔️ correct

Repeating the symbol counts as an unnecessary extra character, and IELTS marking is strict about this.

Many candidates lose easy points simply because they don’t notice the printed symbol.

So what should candidates do?

To stay safe during the exam:

1. Read the word/number limit carefully.
2. Check whether any symbols (%, $) are already printed.
3. Use the shortest format that fits the instructions.

The spelling variation itself does not affect your score; only the format and the limit do.