The International English Language Testing System assesses the English skills of applicants wishing to study or train in the English language.

It is also used as a general test of English for immigration and employment in many countries.

The test is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

The Academic IELTS test is for individuals who plan to study in English at university (undergraduate or post graduate level), and is designed to test the understanding and use of complex academic language.

The general IELTS test is suitable for individuals requiring a more general level of English proficiency for college, high school, employment or immigration purposes.

Listening is the first module in the IELTS test and takes 30 minutes. It consists of four sections of increasing difficulty, and there is a total of 40 questions. At the end of section 4 ,you will be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. So, the Listening Test will last 40 minutes in total.

Reading is the second part of the IELTS test, and takes 60 minutes. It consists of three reading passages of increasing difficulty, and there is a total of 40 questions to answer. No extra time is allotted for transferring the answer in the answer sheet.

The passages maybe sourced from books, journals, magazines and newspapers with a total length of 2000- 2800 words.

The Writing Test lasts for 60 minutes and consists of two writing tasks.

Task 1 requires you to write a summary of atleast 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar/ coloumn, line or pie graph), table, chart or process.

Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words. You need to write an essay of 250 words and will be tested on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions and supporting what you write with reasons.

The Speaking Test is the last of the four tests in IELTS. It consists of an oral interview between and the candidate and an IELTS trained examiner. The interview is scheduled either in the afternoon, after the IELTS papers, or sometimes the following day.

The Listening and Speaking Modules remain the same for both the Tests.

The Reading Module in the General Test contains two or more texts which are based on social situations. Section 2 contains two texts based on course related situations and Section 3 contains one text that tests general reading comprehension. You will have a total of 40 questions to answer.

In the General Training task 1 you are given a situation and tested on your ability to write a letter in an appropriate style in order to achieve a certain outcome.

Task 2.

Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words. You need to write an essay of 250 words and will be tested on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions and supporting what you write with reasons.

Band 9 Expert user
Band 8 Very good user
Band 7 Good user
Band 6 Competent user
Band 5 Modest user
Band 4 Limited user
Band 3 Extremely limited user
Band 2 Intermittent user
Band 1 Non user
Band 0 No original English used-

The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and in this same order. The Speaking test can be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

No. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot read pen.

Yes. The examiner will not see your question paper.

The Speaking test is conducted with a one-to-one interview with a certified examiner, which is recorded on an audiocassette.

The candidate needs to bring the same identification documents they supplied on registration, as these must be checked again against the information on the application form. These documents will be checked by the administrator and the Speaking examiner prior to the candidate entering the interview room.

Under usual test circumstances, the candidates will receive their Test Report Forms approximately two weeks after they complete their test.

Candidates are not permitted to retake the test at any centre within 90 days of their previous test date, i.e. 90 days and no fewer. Candidates are reminded that scores are unlikely to improve dramatically without English language tuition in the interim.

Candidates who request a postponement or cancellation of their test within 5 weeks of the test date will normally be charged the full fee unless they are able to provide appropriate medical evidence to support their request within 5 days of the test date.

There are a number of variables affecting the length of time over which an IELTS score remains valid. As a general rule it is recommended that a Test Report Form (TRF), that is more than two years old should only be accepted as evidence of present level of ability if accompanied by proof that a candidate has actively maintained or tried to improve their English language proficiency.

From 1 May 2006 the policy on candidates re-taking IELTS has been amended. The restriction on re-taking IELTS within 90 days has been removed and candidates are able to repeat the test whenever they wish. Candidates will still be asked to indicate on their application form whether they have taken the test before. This information will appear on the Test Report Form and will only be used for monitoring purposes.

Yes, a computerized version of IELTS called (CB IELTS) is now available (currently in Delhi only).

The IELTS test is jointly owned by The British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and University of Cambridge - ESOL Examinations.

You must find out what score you need from the relevant faculty or department of the university to which you are applying.

Yes. You can take the IELTS exam as many as times you want.

There is no time constraint. You can re appear immediately whenever you need.

No. The speaking module can be sometimes on a separate day. However, the Listening, Reading and Writing modules must be done together.

Normally, you will receive your results within 2 weeks, on the 13th day after your exam.

You can apply for reevaluation within 3 weeks after the results are dispatched.

Normally, it takes 6-8 weeks to get the results of re-evaluation.

Yes. You can apply. The re-evaluation fee is £60 for British council and AUD $160 for IDP. The full fee will be refunded by the candidate’s test centre if a result is changed to a higher band score. The re-mark of a candidate’s work is done by trained clerical markers and Cambridge ESOL-appointed senior exam

IELTS is internationally owned, internationally focused, internationally accessible and internationally recognized. The British Council and IDP IELTS Australia are IELTS test delivery partners and there is no difference in taking the test with either the organization. Examiners working with both partners have to go through the same extensive training and retraining program and are regularly monitored to ensure they are applying the assessment criteria accurately. Inconsistencies are not accepted and appropriate action is taken against those examiners.

The partners strive for continuous research and take feedback from stakeholders to continually improve the test. The stakeholders felt that introducing half band scores in speaking and writing sections of the test will give them information about the precise level of the candidate and enable them to make a more informed decision. This does not disadvantage the candidates but gives a more accurate result.

Yes, they do conduct, IELTS test for candidates with special requirements. They can take the test on regular dates. All special candidates need to provide at least 6 weeks prior notice (for any special need requirements)

• a medical report/diagnostic report
• a written request
• two choices of dates (in case the special need requirement needs a longer period

Special arrangements can be made for candidates with special needs, for example: Visual difficulties
Hearing difficulties
Speaking difficulties
Specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia
Permanent writing difficulties
Medical condition such as diabetes

The following can be provided for special needs candidates (please check availability with centre
Enlarged print for poor eyesight
Extra time for dyslexic candidate
Braille papers
Lip reading versions of listening paper
The use of amanuensis(someone writes your answers for you as you dictate them)

There is no passing score in IELTS. However, universities or embassies may tell you the band score they require