The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardised English language test designed for foreign speakers who want to work, study or live in an English-speaking environment. The IELTS certificate can open doors to international academic and professional opportunities in many institutions, companies, universities and places in the world where English is used.

Why is IELTS important?
Over 10,000 organisations worldwide trust IELTS, so you can be confident that academic organizations, employers, governments and professional bodies around the globe will recognize it when you take the exam. More than 2-3 million people a year take the test.
Where can I take IELTS?
Test takers can take IELTS in more than 140 countries and in over 1,200 locations. Most exam centers are run by the British Council, IELTS Australia, or colleges of language and universities. Some testing centers also offer off-site testing for large groups by prior arrangement with IELTS. Click here to find a test centre.
What is the IELTS test like?
The IELTS test evaluates your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking – in less than three hours.
Two types of IELTS are available:: Academic and General Training. For both tests, Listening and Speaking are the same, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test you are taking.
The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are performed on the identical day, with no breaks in between them.
The Speaking section, however, can be finished up to a week earlier than or after the other tests. The test centre will advise.
The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
Speaking - interview, 15 minutes
Reading - different for Academic or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
Writing - different for Academic or General Training - 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes
How choose the right test?
There are two IELTS tests available – IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. The test you select should be based on what it is you want to do. IELTS Academic - measures whether your level of English language proficiency is appropriate for an academic environment. It reflects aspects of academic language and assesses whether you’re ready to start training or studying. IELTS General Training - measures English language proficiency in an everyday, practical context. The tasks and tests reflect both workplace and social situations.
How is IELTS overall score calculated?
You will receive a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5., 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.
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 Did not attempt the test No assessable information provided at all.
When and how IELTS results will be out?

A Test Report Form will be published 13 days after their test to test takers. 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.

 

Test Report Forms are valid for two years.