IELTS is the world's leading English language proficiency test. IELTS is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. More than 6,000 institutions and faculties of further and higher education in all major English-speaking countries, and government agencies, professional associations and employers, recognize and use IELTS scores.
IELTS Academic Module is recognized widely as a language requirement for entry to all courses in further and higher education and assesses whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.
IELTS General Training Module is suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, undertake training programs, or for immigration purposes.
There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
IELTS scores
IELTS Academic |
IELTS General training |
IELTS Academic measures English language
proficiency needed for an academic, higher
education environment. The tasks and texts are
accessible to all test takers, irrespective of their
subject focus. |
IELTS General Training measures English language
proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The
tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social
situations. |
Listening* (30 minutes)
Four recorded monologues and conversations |
Reading (60 minutes)
- Three long reading passages with tasks
- Texts range from the descriptive and factual
to the discursive and analytical
- Includes non-verbal materials such as
diagrams, graphs or illustrations
- Texts are authentic (e.g. taken from books,
journals and newspapers)
|
Reading (60 minutes)
- Three reading passages with tasks
- Section 1 contains two or three short factual
texts
- Section 2 contains two short, work-related,
factual texts
- Section 3 contains one longer text on a
topic of general interest
- Texts are authentic (e.g. taken from
company handbooks, official documents, books and newspapers)
|
Writing (60 minutes)
- Writing task of at least 150 words where the
test taker must summarise, describe or
explain a table, graph, chart or diagram
- Short essay task of at least 250 words
|
Writing (60 minutes)
- Letter writing task of at least 150 words
- Short essay task of at least 250 words
|
Speaking (11 to 14 minutes)
Face-to-face interview
Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic and a structured discussion |