FAQ's About IELTS

FAQ

What is IELTS?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 2 million tests in the past year, IELTS is the world’s most popular high stakes English language proficiency test.

Which organisations accept IELTS?

IELTS is accepted by more than 8,000 organisations worldwide. These include universities, immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies.

Who owns IELTS and who writes the test?

IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment and offered through more than 900 test centres and locations in over 130 countries. International teams of writers contribute to IELTS test materials. Ongoing research ensures that IELTS remains fair and unbiased. Test writers from different English-speaking countries develop IELTS content so it reflects real-life situations.

Why are there two versions of the test?

IELTS has two versions – Academic and General Training. The Academic test is for those who want to study at a tertiary level in an English-speaking country. The General Training test is for those who want to do work experience or training programs, secondary school or migrate to an English-speaking country. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.

Which version should I do?

Read the explanation of the Academic and General Training tests, then contact the organisation or institution to which you are applying to find out what it requires.

What is the test format and how long will it take?

IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.

What help is available for candidates with disabilities?

Test centres make every effort to cater for the special needs of candidates with disabilities. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you have a special need, talk to your local test centre when registering. Centres may need three months to organise arrangements.

Where can I take IELTS?

You can take IELTS in over 900 locations worldwide. Search for your nearest test centre on the IELTS Worldwide Search. IELTS centres have friendly, helpful staff who will help you with the registration process.

When can I take IELTS?

IELTS is available on 48 fixed dates a year – up to four times a month, depending on local demand. Go to your nearest centre to see their next test date.

How much does it cost?

IELTS has a set fee for its test. The Academic and General Training tests are the same cost. To find out the test fee in your local currency, check the IELTS Worldwide Search for your nearest centre.

What is IELTS?

The international English language testing system (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with over 2 million tests taken in the last year.
IELTS assesses all of your English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at study, at work, and at play, in your new life abroad.
The IELTS test is developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment. It has an excellent international reputation, and is accepted by over 8,000 organisations worldwide, including schools, universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.
IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test that uses a one-on-one speaking test to assess your English communication skills. This means that you are assessed by having a real-life conversation with a real person. This is the most effective and natural way of testing your English conversation skills.
You can take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training – depending on the organisation you are applying to and your plans for the future.
Whatever your reason for taking IELTS, make the most of your language skills.

Importance of IELTS

Everybody interested in overseas study or immigration and in some cases while applying for international jobs, may be required to undergo an IELTS test. The IELTS score is required to get admission into many renowned universities across the world and a majority of immigration destinations demand their applicants to take IELTS test in order to qualify for the eligibility criteria. In fact, in certain immigration programs, such as Australia General Skilled Migration program, both the principal applicant and their spouse are required to appear for the IELTS test.
The IELTS test serves as a perfect medium to evaluate your language benchmark and in many cases; help the applicants find adept employment opportunities for themselves. Ace English language skills have always been one of the major selection criteria as far as the eligibility factor under the point based system is concerned. IELTS score of an immigrant applicant offers an opportunity for the immigration officers to judge the applicants for their English language skills. History says that earlier the immigration officers used to take a face-to-face interview with the applicants and come to a final judgment. But the system had many loopholes and the outcome usually resulted into prejudiced situations. This test, further allows the immigration officer to judge the candidate on the basis of all the required four skill such as understanding power, reading abilities, speaking skills and listening capabilities. This was not possible with the earlier concept of “one-on-one interview”. Keeping all these things in mind, the concept of IELTS Test was introduced.
IELTS test holds an international acceptability, so its importance is automatically highlighted. An IELTS test is an integral part and one of the most critical aspects of almost all the immigration processes such as Study Visa, General Skilled Migration program amongst others. In addition, this test gives the applicants (applying for Study Visa) a polished opportunity to check on their language skill levels and apply for a particular course in accordance with their rankings. This also means that if the applicant manages to achieve the target score, it will provide ample confidence to the applicant and his college about his brilliant eligibility level.