If you are a non-native English speaker looking to work in an English-speaking country, you will have to provide an English language proficiency certificate. IELTS is the gold standard, globally recognised by more than 11,000 employers, universities and immigration bodies.

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers, managed by the International IELTS partnership consisting of three members: the British Council, the International Development Program of Australian Universities and Colleges (IDPIDP: IELTS Australia) and Cambridge Assessment English. It was established in 1989. Over 3 million IELTS tests are taken in 140 countries per year making it the most popular test of English proficiency.

IELTS administers two separate modules: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training which are designed to cover the full range of abilities from non-user to expert user.

IELTS Academic is intended for those who want to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practise in an English-speaking country.

IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.

The difference between the Academic and General Training versions is the content, context, and purpose of the tasks. All other features, such as timing allocation, length of written responses, and reporting of scores, are the same.

IELTS Academic and General Training both incorporate the following features:

• IELTS tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in English.
• The speaking module is a key component of IELTS. It is conducted in the form of a one-to-one interview with an examiner. The examiner assesses the test taker as he or she is speaking. The speaking session is also recorded for monitoring and for re-marking in case of an appeal against the score given
• A variety of accents and writing styles have been presented in test materials in order to minimize linguistic bias. The accents in the listening section are generally 80% British, Australian, New Zealander and 20% others (mostly American).
• IELTS is developed by experts at Cambridge Assessment English with input from item writers from around the world. Teams are located in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other English-speaking nations.
• Band scores are used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The Band Scale ranges from 0 ("Did not attempt the test") to 9 ("Expert User"). No minimum score is required to pass the test.
• An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all test takers with a score from "band 1" ("non-user") to "band 9" ("expert user") and each institution sets a different threshold. There is also a "band 0" score for those who did not attempt the test. Results are valid for two years from the test date.

Where is IELTS Accepted?

IELTS is one of the major English-language tests in the world and the most widely accepted by employers, academic organisations and governments.

Academic and Professional Organisations: IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, European, Irish and New Zealand academic institutions, by over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and by various professional organisations across the world.

Immigration: IELTS is approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as a Secure English Language Test for visa applicants both outside and inside the UK.  It also meets requirements for immigration to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The IELTS Test Structure

Two Modules

• Academic Module
• General Training Module
  
  

Four parts of the IELTS test

• Listening: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes' transfer time)
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 60 minutes
• Speaking: 11–14 minutes

The total test time is: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Listening, Reading and Writing are completed in one sitting. The Speaking test may be taken on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.

All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests, while the Reading and Writing tests differ depending on whether the test taker is taking the Academic or General Training versions of the test.

Listening

The module comprises four sections, with ten questions in each section. It takes 40 minutes: 30 - for testing, plus 10 for transferring the answers to an answer sheet.

Sections 1 and 2 are about every day, social situations.

• Section 1 has a conversation between two speakers (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements)
• Section 2 has one person speaking (for example, a speech about local facilities).

Sections 3 and 4 are about educational and training situations

• Section 3 is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, a discussion between two university students, perhaps guided by a tutor)
• Section 4 has one person speaking about an academic subject.

Each section begins with a short introduction telling the test taker about the situation and the speakers. Then they have some time to look through the questions. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on. The first three sections have a break in the middle allowing test takers to look at the remaining questions. Each section is heard only once.

At the end of the test students are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Test takers will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

Reading

The Reading paper has three sections and texts totalling 2,150-2,750 words. There will be a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice, short-answer questions, identifying information, identifying writer's views, labelling diagrams, completing a summary using words taken from the text and matching information/headings/features in the text/sentence endings. Test takers should be careful when writing down their answers as they will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

Texts in IELTS Academic

• Three reading texts, which come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources written for non-specialist audiences. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
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Texts in IELTS General Training

• Section 1 contains two or three short texts or several shorter texts, which deal with everyday topics. For example, timetables or notices – things a person would need to understand when living in an English-speaking country.
• Section 2 contains two texts, which deal with work. For example, job descriptions, contracts, training materials.
• Section 3 contains one long text about a topic of general interest. The text is generally descriptive, longer and more complex than the texts in Sections 1 and 2. The text will be taken from a newspaper, magazine, book or online resource.

Writing

The Writing paper has two tasks which must both be completed. In task 1 test takers write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. In task 2 test takers write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Test takers will be penalised if their answer is too short or does not relate to the topic. Answers should be written in full sentences (test takers must not use notes or bullet points).

IELTS Academic

• Task 1: test takers describe a graph, table, chart, map, process, pie chart or diagram in their own words.
• Task 2: test takers discuss a point of view, argument or problem. Depending on the task, test takers may be required to present a solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.

IELTS General Training

• Task 1: test takers write a letter in response to a given everyday situation. For example, writing to an accommodation officer about problems with your accommodation, writing to a new employer about problems managing your time, writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport.
• Task 2: test takers write an essay about a topic of general interests. For example, whether smoking should be banned in public places, whether children's leisure activities should be educational, how environmental problems can be solved.

Speaking

The speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner.

The speaking test contains three sections.

• Section 1: introduction and interview (4–5 minutes). Test takers may be asked about their home, family, work, studies, hobbies, interests, reasons for taking IELTS exam as well as other general topics such as clothing, free time, computers and the Internet.
• Section 2: long turn (3–4 minutes). Test takers are given a task card about a particular topic. Test takers have one minute to prepare to talk about this topic. The task card states the points that should be included in the talk and one aspect of the topic which must be explained during the talk. Test takers are then expected to talk about the topic for one to two minutes, after which the examiner may ask one or two questions.
• Section 3: discussions (4–5 minutes). The third section involves a discussion between the examiner and the test taker, generally on questions relating to the theme which they have already spoken about in Section 2.^[25] These questions usually consist of two sets of four or five questions.

IELTS Test Scoring

Test takers receive a score for each test component – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score.

Band scale

There is no pass or fail.  IELTS is scored on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence in English. Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest half band.

The following rounding convention applies: if the average across the four skills ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band.

The nine bands are described as follows:

• 9 Expert User: Has full operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
• 8 Very Good User: Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
• 7 Good User: Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriateness and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
• 6 Competent User: Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
• 5 Modest user: Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
• 4 Limited User: Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
• 3 Extremely Limited User: Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
• 2 Intermittent User: No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
• 1 Non User: Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
• 0 Non Show: Did not attempt the test. No assessable information provided at all.
  

IELTS Results and Reports

For a computer-delivered test, results are released between 3–5 days.

For a paper-based test, a Test Report Form is posted to test takers 13 days after their test.

 It shows:

• An Overall Band Score (from 1–9)
• A band score (from 1–9) for each section of the test (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)
• Whether IELTS Academic or General Training was completed
• The test taker's photo, nationality, first language and date of birth
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Test takers receive one copy of their Test Report Form, apart from test takers who are applying to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) who receive two copies.

Test Report Forms are valid for two years.

Locations and test dates

Test takers can take IELTS in more than 140 countries and in over 1,600 locations.

There are up to 48 test dates available per year. Each test centre offers tests up to four times a month depending on local demand. The Academic version is available on all 48 dates per year and the General Training version is available on 24 dates.

There used to be a minimum time limit of 90 days before a person was allowed to retake the test. However this restriction has been withdrawn and currently there is no limit for applicants to retake the test.

How can you register for IELTS?

You can register and pay the test fee online on the IELTS website or alternatively, you can download, print and complete an application form to submit at your local test centre.

There are more than 1600 test locations in more than 140 countries where you can sit the test. You can find your nearest centre on the IELTS website.

Once you have selected your location of choice, you will be able to check the availability of both Academic and General Training tests. You can then either pick your test date, book and pay via the IELTS online service or fill the details into the printed application form and submit it at your test centre. If you choose to do the latter, make sure to include a copy of your valid identity document.

You will receive written confirmation of the date and time of your test from your test centre once your application has been processed.

How can you practise for IELTS?

The best way to practise for IELTS is to complete the free sample questions on the IELTS website. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the format and type of questions and will give you an idea of what to expect on test day.

If you are willing to pay for your preparation, you can complete the Official IELTS Practice Test which will be marked and officially feedbacked by trained and qualified IELTS markers. You may also purchase official IELTS sample test materials from Cambridge University Press or a test centre. These contain practice tests and answer sheets similar to those you will encounter in the actual test, as well as sample candidate tests and responses with examiner comments.

You can even take a preparation course at many IELTS centres and language schools around the world. Your local test location will be able to offer advice.

What happens on test day?

You will check in at your test centre with the valid identity document you provided during registration. You will then be advised about your test room. Before entering the test room, you will have your photograph taken (this will appear on your Test Report Form), your fingerprint scanned and you will have to provide a sample of your signature.

Be aware that you are not allowed to take anything with you into the test room except your ID, pens, pencils, erasers and water in a transparent bottle. This prohibition includes watches – every test room will have a clock on the wall. Cloakrooms are provided, but the test centres do not assume liability, so avoid bringing valuables.

Depending on your test location, you will complete the Listening, Reading and Writing sections either on paper or on computer (you will be able to see this when booking your test). These sections are completed with no breaks in between them. The total time for these tests is two and a half hours; add time for the distribution of test sheets, instructions and transfer times and you should expect a duration of about two hours and 50 minutes. Toilet breaks are allowed with the permission of the invigilator.

LISTENING

The test will start with the Listening section, these tasks are the same for Academic and General Training. You will listen to recordings of native English speakers with various accents and write your answers to a series of questions.

There are four parts with ten questions each. The first recording is a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context, the second is a monologue set in an everyday social context, the third is a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context and the fourth is a monologue on an academic subject.

The recordings are only played once, but you are allowed to read through the questions of each part before the recording is being played. The questions are designed so that the answers appear in the order they are heard in the audio.

A variety of question types are used in the test. These can include multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion and short-answer questions.

You will note your answers on the question paper as you listen and will be given time after the final recording has been played to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. If you are taking IELTS on paper, you must use a pencil to fill out the answer sheet.

READING

The Reading section includes 40 questions on a variety of written texts. These questions can include multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary/note/table/flow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short-answer questions.

There are different types of text in the Academic and the General Training test. Academic Reading will require you to read and understand three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These may be taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

In General Training Reading, you will encounter everyday texts that can be extracted from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.

You can note your answers on the question papers, but you will have to transfer them to the answer sheet within the 60 minutes allocated for the Reading section. If you are taking IELTS on paper, you must use a pencil to fill out the answer sheet.

WRITING

The Writing section consists of two tasks which are again different for Academic and General Training. You have 60 minutes to complete both tasks and note your answers on the answer sheet. These must be written in full – notes or bullet points will not be accepted. If you are taking IELTS on paper, you may use a pen or a pencil to fill out the answer sheet.

In either test, your answer to Task 1 must be at least 150 words long and you should take approximately 20 minutes to write it. There is no penalty for writing more, but remember this may mean that you have less time to spend on Task 2, which counts twice as much to the Writing band score.

You should spend approximately 40 minutes on Task 2 and write at least 250 words. It is recommended to schedule in time for proofreading and correcting.

Task 1 of Academic Writing will present you with a graph, table, chart or diagram and you will be asked to describe, explain or summarise the information in your own words.. This should be written in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style and include the most important and the most relevant points.

Academic Writing Task 2 will require you to write an academic or semi-formal/neutral essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem in regard to any possible subject. This should be a discursive consideration of the relevant issue – you will be penalised for irrelevance if going off-topic.

In General Training Writing Part 1 you will be presented with a common, everyday situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. You will be given three bullet points of information which you must include in your response. The letter can be written in informal, semi-formal or formal style.

Task 2 of General Training Writing will ask you to write a semi-formal/neutral essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. This will be on a topic of general interest and your essay can be fairly personal in style. You will be required to provide general factual information, outline and/or present a solution, justify an opinion or evaluate evidence and ideas.

SPEAKING

Whether you are taking IELTS on paper or on computer, the Speaking section will always be in-person and is the same for Academic and General Training. The section consists of three parts and will last between 11 to 14 minutes in total. All Speaking tests are recorded.

Going into Part 1, the examiner will introduce him-/herself and check your identity – make sure you take your valid identity document with you. They will then go on to ask you questions on some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests.

You will be given a task card for Part 2 which asks you to talk about a particular topic and includes points and aspects you will have to cover. You have one minute to prepare and take notes with the pen and paper provided. You will then have to talk for one to two minutes before the examiner will ask further questions on the same topic.

In Part 3, you will discuss issues related to your talk with the examiner in a more general, deeper and abstract way.

Getting The Results

The minimum band score you need depends on your organisation or institution – check the requirements in the job description or enquire with your employer. As an example, to become a doctor in the UK, the General Medical Council requires you to have an overall band score of at least 7.5 with at least a 7 in all section scores of the Academic test.

If you did not get the result you were looking for, you can retake the test whenever and as many times as you want. You will however have to go through the entire booking and testing process again and you will also have to pay the test fee again.

Although an IELTS English Language Proficiency Certificate does not formally expire and it is up to each organisation to set a validity period that work for their purposes, it is recommended to assume a two-year validity.