IELTS One Skill Retake is now accepted in all Australian states!
What is IELTS?
Find out what you need to know about the IELTS test.
Test types
IELTS Academic: for higher education or professional registration
IELTS General Training: for migration, work, or secondary studies
Ways to take the test
IELTS on paper: answer on paper using a pencil or pen
IELTS on computer: type your answers on a keyboard
Test sections
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Results
IELTS on paper test: 13 calendar days after the test
IELTS on computer test: most results available within one day
You will receive a Test Report Form (TRF) as official results of your IELTS test
Your TRF can either be in paper form or electronic/online results (eTRF)
Scoring
The IELTS test is scored on a 9-band scale ranging from 0 to 9
IELTS gives band scores as whole or half band scores
You will get a band score for each test section and an overall band score for the entire test
The overall band score is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band
Acceptance
IELTS results are accepted for study, work, and migration
IELTS is accepted by more than 12,500 organisations in over 150 countries worldwide
IELTS is the only major English test to offer One Skill Retake, which is accepted by more than 1,200 organisations worldwide
About the IELTS test
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that measures English language proficiency of people who want to study, work, or migrate in a country where English is used as the main language of communication.
IELTS is accepted globally by more than 12,500 organisations including universities, professional bodies, employers and governments for student visa and migration applications.
IELTS is recognised as being fair to all test takers, whatever their nationality, cultural background, gender, or special needs may be.
Learn more about the IELTS test
IELTS test types
There are two tests to choose from, depending on your needs:
IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|
For higher education or professional registration. Assesses your English-language proficiency at an academic level. | For migration, work, or secondary studies. Developed to test your every-day, non-academic English. |
Listening You will listen to four recorded monologues and conversations. | Listening You will listen to four recorded monologues and conversations. |
Reading Three long reading passage with tasks. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The texts may be written in different styles and may contain diagrams, graphs, or illustrations. The texts will come from a variety of sources (e.g. books, journals, newspapers). There are 40 questions. A variety of different question types are used. | Reading Five or six texts of varying length with tasks. Section 1: contains two or three short texts or several shorter texts on everyday topics. Section 2: contains two short, work-related, factual texts. Section 3: contains one longer text on a topic of general interest. The texts will come from a variety of sources (e.g. advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books, newspapers). There are 40 questions. A variety of different question types are used. |
Writing Task 1: at least 150 words to summarise, describe, or explain a graph, table, chart, or diagram. Task 2: short essay of at least 250 words. | Writing Task 1: letter-writing task of at least 150 words. Task 2: short essay of at least 250 words. |
Speaking Face-to-face with a human examiner, in a private speaking room. The test is recorded and conducted in three parts. Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic, and a structured discussion. | Speaking Face-to-face with a human examiner, in a private speaking room. The test is recorded and conducted in three parts. Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic, and a structured discussion. |
Which IELTS test?
Ways to take IELTS
There are different ways to take the test. Both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests are available in the following delivery formats:
IELTS on paper | IELTS on computer |
|---|---|
Test takers sit at a desk with papers and answer sheets for the Reading, Listening, and Writing tests. Test takers will write their answer with a pencil or pen. | Test takers sit the Reading, Listening, and Writing test in front of a computer in the testing room. Test takers type their answers with a keyboard and use a mouse. |
The Speaking test is is face-to-face with an IELTS examiner. | The Speaking test is is face-to-face with an IELTS examiner. |
Results will be available 13 calendar days after taking your test. | Results will be available typically within 2 days. |
IELTS One Skill Retake is available in eligible test centres for the IELTS on computer test. |
IELTS test sections
A quick guide to understanding the four test sections
Listening
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Consists of 40 questions based on four audio recordings
You will listen to four recorded texts – two monologues and two conversations
The recordings are played only once, and will not be repeated
Reading
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Consists of three reading passages or texts
A variety of question types is used to test a wide range of reading skills
Reading test passages and questions in the Academic and General Training tests are different
Writing
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Consists of two tasks: Task 1 and Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 1 differs depending on whether you are taking the IELTS Academic or General Training test
IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training
Speaking
Duration: Approximately between 11 and 14 minutes
Taken face-to-face with a human examiner, in a private speaking room
The test is recorded and conducted in three parts
Structured more like a conversation between the examiner and the test taker
Results
Your official IELTS score is stated on your Test Report Form or TRF.
The TRF serves as your official confirmation of your IELTS test results and shows your overall band score, as well as sub band scores for each section of the test: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
The TRF can either be a paper certificate or a digital version (eTRF).
When will I get my IELTS results?
You will get your IELTS test results based on which type of test you take.
Test delivery method | Results available in |
|---|---|
IELTS on paper | 13 days calendar days after your test |
IELTS on computer | Typically within one day |
Learn more about IELTS results
How IELTS is scored
With IELTS, your scores are reported on a 9-band scale.
All IELTS band scores are between 0 and 9.
IELTS gives band scores as whole or half band scores.
You will receive an overall band score, as well as individual scores for each section of the test.
The IELTS band score chart below explains your IELTS mark in more detail. It helps you understand the band score you see on your official IELTS Test Report Form (TRF).
Your organisation determines the scores you need to achieve. Check with your organisation, university, employer, or government body, to see what scores you need.
Band score calculation
Band scores
Overall band scores
What is IELTS One Skill Retake?
IELTS One Skill Retake allows you to retake one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if you need to improve in just one area.
We know most test takers get the scores they need first time, but if you feel you haven’t performed to your best in one area, IELTS One Skill Retake can help you get back on track.
You can take IELTS One Skill Retake if:
You have completed a full test at a centre that offers One Skill Retake.
Your full test was an eligible IELTS on computer test.
You sit your One Skill Retake within 60 days of your full IELTS test.
Your IELTS One Skill Retake result is accepted around the world by governments, universities, employers, and professional organisations. Check your organisation to see if they accept IELTS One Skill Retake.
Learn more about IELTS One Skill Retake
Official IELTS preparation resources
IELTS Prepare
Access a range of preparation materials at your fingertips: from practice tests, videos and articles, to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.
IELTS Practice Tests
Take the IELTS practice tests to prepare and get a better idea of the types of questions you might encounter on your IELTS test.
IELTS Preparation Guide
Download the IELTS Preparation Guide and for an official overview of the IELTS test with some handy tools and advice to help you prepare.
IELTS Masterclass
Presented by an IELTS expert, the free IELTS Masterclass will help you prepare for the test and get tips and advice from experts to get your desired score. Join us online or face-to-face at a free IELTS Masterclass near you!
IELTS Familiarisation Test
Are you taking your IELTS test on a computer soon? Take the free IELTS Familiarisation test on computer to know what to expect on your test day.
IELTS by IDP app
The official IELTS app is a free and easy way to book your test, access practice materials, and check your test results on the go. Bonus: Access our app-exclusive courses only on the IELTS by IDP app!
IELTS Assist & Coaching
Practise your IELTS skills in Writing, Reading or Speaking and receive a personalised action plan to improve your IELTS band score.
News and Articles
Read the latest news and stories from IELTS. Discover how to get the band score you need with tips and advice from IELTS Experts.
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