What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized test that evaluates your English language proficiency skills for admission to higher education and global migration.
The IELTS test was launched in 1980 and is trusted by over 11,500 organizations in more than 140 countries. It is a reliable indicator of your ability to communicate in English in academic, professional, and social settings. Taking the IELTS test shows your commitment and potential for success in an English-speaking environment.
IELTS is developed by leading English language experts to test the range of skills required adapt in an English-speaking environment. There are two versions of the IELTS test available:
IELTS Academic: The IELTS Academic test is designed for people who want to study at a university in an English-speaking country. It measures your English language proficiency for an academic environment by accessing your ability and readiness to begin training or studying in English language.
IELTS General Training: The IELTS General Training test is designed for people who want to work, live, or migrate to an English-speaking country. It measures your English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context.
If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to study, work, or live in the UK, you may need to take a specific version of the test, called IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). You can take a UKVI in Academic or General Training.
Sections & Scoring
The IELTS test measures your skills in four areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
This section tests your ability to understand ideas, recognise options and follow the development of an argument.
- Format: You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions
• Recording 1: a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context
• Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities
• Recording 3: a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment
Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture - Timing: The IELTS Listening test takes approximately 30 minutes, and you are allowed an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers from your question booklet to your answer sheet.
- Number of Questions: 40 questions
- Task Types: A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.
- Scoring: Each correct answer receives one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
This section tests your ability to read for general sense, main ideas, and details. It tests your ability to understand author’s inference and opinion.
- Format of Academic Reading - Three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.
- Format of General Training Reading - Extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
- Timing: 60 minutes including the transfer time
- Number of Questions: 40 questions
- Task Types: Fill gaps in a passage of written text or in a table, match headings to written text to diagrams or charts, complete sentences, give short answers to open questions, answer multiple choice questions
- Scoring: Each correct answer receives one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands
This section tests your ability to read for general sense, main ideas, and details. It tests your ability to understand author’s inference and opinion.
- Format of Academic Writing - Write in a formal style in the IELTS Academic Writing test. In Task 1 you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram. You will be asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. This might involve describing and explaining data, describing the stages of a process or how something works, or describing an object or event. In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You should find the issues interesting and easy to understand.
- Format of General Training Writing- The topics used in the IELTS General Training Writing test are of general interest. In Task 1 you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. You can write the letter in a personal, semi-formal or formal style. In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal style.
- Timing: The IELTS Writing test takes 60 minutes. Spend 20 minutes on Task 1, and 40 minutes on Task 2. You will need to manage your own time, so make sure you move on to Task 2 after 20 minutes.
- Number of Questions: 2 questions
- Task Types: Two tasks: Task 1 and Task 2. You will be asked to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2
- Scoring: Your Writing test will be marked by a certificated IELTS examiner. Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1 in the IELTS Writing test. Scores are reported in whole and half bands
This section checks your ability to articulate your opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences. It tests you on expressing and justifying your opinions.
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Format: You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions
• Part 1: The examiner will introduce him or herself and ask you to introduce yourself and confirm your identity. The examiner will ask you general questions on familiar topics, e.g. home, family, work, studies and interests. This section should help you relax and talk naturally.
• Part 2: The examiner will give you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular topic, including points to include in your talk. You will be given one minute to prepare and make notes. You will then be asked to talk for 1-2 minutes on the topic. You will not be interrupted during this time, so it is important to keep talking. The examiner will then ask you one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3: The examiner will ask you further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2. These questions are designed to give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. - Timing: 11-14 minutes
- Scoring: You will be assessed on your performance throughout the test by certificated IELTS examiners.You will be marked on the four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, pronunciation. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, but the Reading and Writing sections are different.
You’ll take the first three parts of the test on the same day, in the following order: Listening, Reading and Writing (there are no breaks between these tests). Your Speaking test will be held either on the same day or seven days before or after that, depending on local arrangements
If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application, you may need to take a specific version of the test, called IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This test is available in Academic or General Training, depending on your purpose.
Mode of Exams
- Computer based test can be taken on any official IELTS test centre. Questions for the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are shown on the screen and you enter your answers on the computer. The Speaking section is completed during a face-to-face session with a trained IELTS examiner.
- Results: Results for Computer based tests are available 3–5 days after test completion.
- Paper based test is also conducted on official IELTS test centres. To take the test on paper you will sit at a desk with question-and-answer papers for the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of your test. The Speaking section of the test is conducted by a trained IELTS examiner.
- Results: Results for paper-based tests are available 13-15 days after test completion.
Test Registration
You can register for IELTS online or offline, depending on your preference. You will need to provide a clear, scanned colour copy of your passport and a signed and dated declaration document. You will also need to pay the IELTS exam fee, which is INR 16,250 for both computer-delivered and paper-based tests12. You will receive an acknowledgment on your registered email/phone number once your test date is booked.
- Transfer/Rescheduling of IELTS Test Online:
• You can reschedule your IELTS test, provided the test date is at least 15 days from the transfer application date.
• For test dates 34 days and above, rescheduling can be done without stating any reason. - Cancellation of IELTS Test Online:
• Test date must be at least 15 days from the cancellation application date.
• For test dates between 15-34 days or for payments made through offline channels, candidates can request cancellation by submitting supporting documents. Approval is required for cancellation, and the refund, minus administrative charges, will be processed within 8-10 business days post-approval.
Other Points
- The IELTS exam is conducted throughout the year, with up to 48 test dates available per year. Each IELTS test centre conducts tests up to four times a month based on the number of applicants.
- You can take the IELTS test as many times as you want until you get your desired score. However, you have to pay the IELTS test fee for every attempt, which is INR 16,250 for both computer-delivered and paper-based tests.
- There is no specific eligibility criterion for taking the IELTS test. Anyone who wants to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country can take the IELTS test. However, you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid passport to register for the test.