What is IELTS?

IELTS is a testing system that measures the ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

How is the test structured?

IELTS is available in two formats - Academic and General Training

1. Academic Training

The Academic Training modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the language of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of these modules.

2. General Training

The Reading and Writing Modules emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules, there is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.

Who administers the test?

The IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Australia.

When can I take the test?

There are 48 test dates available per year. Each test centre offers tests up to four times a month depending on local demand.

Where can I take the test?

IELTS is administered through more that 400 test centres in 150 countries worldwide

How is the test scored?

After you have completed your IELTS test, you will receive a copy of your Test Report Form (TRF). IELTS will also send a copy of your form to up to five institutions or organisations free of charge.

Do not throw your Test Report Form away, you only receive one copy and it cannot be replaced.

Your TRF includes the following:

• Your score, on a Band Scale from 1 to 9, for each module of the test
• Your overall Band Score, on a scale from 1 to 9
• Your candidate photo and details of your nationality, first language and date of birth

There is no pass or fail mark, your test result is reported in whole or half Band Scores.

The Band Score system allows institutions to identify your strengths and weaknesses across the four language skills: writing, listening, reading and speaking.

Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a summary of English competence. Overall Band Scores can be reported in either whole or half Bands.

The nine bands and their descriptive statements are:

9 Expert User

Has fully 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, inappropriacies 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.

When do I receive my results?

All IELTS results are released 13 calendar days after the test.

How long is my test valid for?

Two years

Who recognises the test?

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, and by an increasing number of institutions in the US.