IELTS

IELTS is a widely recognized English language proficiency test that measures person’s ability to use English in academic, professional, and social settings. It is accepted by over 10,000 organizations worldwide and is a requirement for those who want to study or work in countries where English is the main language of communication. Preparing for the test is essential, and resources such as practice tests and study materials can help test-takers achieve their desired score.

Why Take IELTS?

Widely recognized worldwide: IELTS is recognised by over 11,500 organizations worldwide, making it an internationally recognised English language proficiency test.
Measures all four language skills: IELTS measures Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills, giving a comprehensive assessment of language ability.
Often required by academic institutions and employers: Many universities, colleges, and employers require IELTS scores as part of their admission or hiring process.
Demonstrates language proficiency to potential employers or academic institutions: A high IELTS score shows that a test-taker has the language proficiency required to succeed in an English-speaking environment.
Helps meet language proficiency requirements for immigration: IELTS scores are sometimes required for immigration purposes, and achieving a high score can help meet those requirements.

IELTS Test Format

The IELTS test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening and Reading sections have multiple-choice questions, while the Writing section requires tasks such as chart description or essay writing. The Speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner. The test evaluates a person’s ability to use English in real-life situations and is widely recognized as a measure of language proficiency for academic and professional purposes.

Understanding the format of the IELTS test can help test-takers prepare effectively and perform to the best of their abilities on test day.

Listening

The IELTS Listening section assesses a test-taker’s capacity to understand spoken English in both academic and social contexts. It comprises four recordings and 40 questions, with 30 minutes to answer them. To perform well on the test, it is crucial to practice different accents, take notes, and understand various question types.

Reading

In the IELTS Reading section, test-takers must demonstrate their ability to understand written English in different contexts and answer 40 questions within 60 minutes. Based on the IELTS 2020 Global Report, the Reading section had an average score of 6.28, with Oceania having the highest average score of 7.15 and South Asia having the lowest average score of 5.81.

Speaking

The IELTS Speaking section evaluates a test-taker’s ability to communicate effectively in English through a face-to-face interview with an examiner. The section is divided into three parts and takes 11 to 14 minutes to complete.

Writing

The IELTS Writing section assesses communication skills with two written tasks in 60 minutes. In 2020, the average score was 6.23, with Oceania having the highest score of 7.06 and South Asia the lowest at 5.77.

IELTS Tests

IELTS conducts three types of tests: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, and IELTS for UKVI

IELTS Academic (for Study)

IELTS Academic is designed for individuals who want to pursue higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. It assesses a candidate’s readiness for academic programs through reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections.

IELTS General Training

IELTS General Training is intended for individuals who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or undertake non-academic training. It focuses on assessing practical language skills in everyday social and workplace contexts through reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections.

IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills is aimed at individuals who need to demonstrate their speaking and listening abilities at level A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for visa, citizenship, or family reunification purposes. It consists of a one-on-one speaking and listening test with an examiner.

Ways to take IELTS

Computer Delivered

Computer Delivered IELTS allows test-takers to take the exam on a computer with faster results and a more flexible test schedule.

Paper Based

Paper-based IELTS is a traditional test format where test-takers record their answers on a paper booklet, and it is available in locations where computer-delivered tests are not available.

IELTS Online

Following the same test format as the computer delivered test, IELTS online enables test takers to take IELTS from anywhere in the world provided they have a reliable internet connection and a personal device that meets the system requirements.