Academic English
IELTS — English for International Opportunity
Educational institutions, along with employers and government immigration agencies, require proof of English language skills as part of their recruitment or admittance procedures. Increasingly, these organisations are using IELTS.
Worldwide recognition for study, work and immigration
IELTS is owned by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. More than 1 million people a year are now using IELTS to open doors throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. IELTS is recognised by more than 6,000 organisations worldwide. The tests are available in more than 120 countries in over 500 locations, with test dates available up to four times a month.
Academic or General Training
The IELTS tests come in two formats:
- Academic – tests a person’s ability to study in English at undergraduate or postgraduate level
- General Training – this module is suitable for people who are going to an English-speaking country to work or train at below undergraduate level. It is also used for immigration purposes to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The test
All candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing tests.
The total test time is around 2 hours 45 minutes. The first three tests – Listening, Reading and Writing – must be completed in one day. The Speaking test may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other tests.
IELTS is available as a computer-based test in many countries, although the scores and certificates remain identical to the paper-based test.
IELTS scores
The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user. Test takers receive a score of 0—9, with 0 being for those who did not attempt the test, and 9 being for the most proficient users. Most universities accept scores between 6—7 as being suitable for undergraduate study in English.
Support for you
IELTS cares about you, your teachers and the people and organisations which will use your results. We demonstrate this through test availability and accessibility, practical support and responsive customer service. Our highly trained test centre administrators and examiners are the human face of IELTS and are there to help.
Sample and practice materials can be downloaded free of charge to help you prepare for your test, and there are additional materials you can order to help you prepare. You can trust IELTS to provide security in test delivery, test administration and test results.
Visit the IELTS website — you can find out more about IELTS and how to apply to take the test.
