Very important tips when taking IELTS:

IELTS is a test of all four language skills
– Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking. You will
take the Listening, Reading and Writing tests all on the same day
one after the other, with no breaks in between. Depending on your
test centre, your Speaking test may be on the same day as
the other three tests, or up to seven days before or after that.
The total test time is under three hours.

Why is the IELTS format fairer for you?

You deserve a fair chance to do your best. That’s why, unlike
other tests, IELTS gives you a quiet room for the Speaking test
with no distractions or interruptions.
IELTS also recognises that candidates have different approaches
to answering questions. For example, with IELTS you can answer
questions in the order that suits you and you can make changes to
your Reading answers and Writing responses at any time during the
Reading and Writing sections.

Read more: http://www.ieltsessentials.com/know_the_test/test_format.aspx

Try reading this as well:  http://rliberni.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/10-top-tips-for-improving-ielts-scores/