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Find out what you need to know 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.
There are two tests to choose from, depending on your needs:
IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
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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. |
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 |
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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. |
A quick guide to understanding the four test sections
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).
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 |
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.
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.