IELTS in its full form stands for the International English Language Testing System – an English Language proficiency test developed and run by the British Council in partnership with IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English.
The IELTS system is highly regarded and widely recognised as the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. Whether you are looking to study, develop your career, or settle in an English-speaking country, IELTS can pave the way.
This section assesses how well you understand ideas, recognise opinions and follow the development of an argument.
This section assesses how well you read for general sense, main ideas and details, and whether you understand the author's inferences and opinions.
This section evaluates how well and how accurately you organise your ideas and write a response, along with your ability to use wide-ranging vocabulary and grammar.
This section assesses how well you can communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences, as well as how you express and justify your opinions.
The IELTS test is available in two formats: Academic and General Training. The Academic format is suitable for those applying for higher education or professional registration, while the General Training format is for those migrating to an English-speaking country or applying for secondary education, work experience, or training programs.
The total test time for the IELTS is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed on the same day, while the Speaking section may be completed on the same day or up to a week before or after the other tests.
Each of the four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) is scored on a scale of 0 to 9. The overall band score is calculated by taking the average of the four individual scores, rounded to the nearest half or whole band.
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the date of the test. After this period, the scores are considered outdated, and test takers may need to retake the test if their scores are no longer valid for their purposes.
There are various resources available to help test takers prepare for the IELTS, including practice tests, study guides, and preparation courses. It is recommended that test takers familiarize themselves with the test format and practice their English language skills before taking the test.
The IELTS test is administered at test centers around the world, and test dates are available throughout the year. Test takers can register for the test online or in person at a test center.
Overall, the IELTS test is widely recognized and accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities in English-speaking countries as a reliable measure of English language proficiency.