Basic Information of IELTS

What do you mean by IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. It is one of the basic tests for getting a VISA where English is overall spoken. If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to live, work or study in the UK, you may need to take the IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Academic.

Why IELTS is important?

There are more than 10,000 organizations globally trust IELTS, so when you take the test you can be confident that it is accepted by educational institutions, employers, governments and professional bodies around the world for safety reasons too.

IELTS has been a pioneer testing instrument in English language testing 30 years ago, it continues to set the standard for English language testing today. Governments in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom use IELTS to process immigration applications.

How does IELTS work?

IELTS has been developed by some of the world’s leading language assessment experts and will test the full range of English skills needed for success in your new job or study placement abroad. You’ll be assessed on the following elements:

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

Types of IELTS:

There are two IELTS tests available – IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. The test you choose should be based on what it is you want to do.

• IELTS Academic - measures whether your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment. It reflects aspects of academic language and evaluates whether you’re ready to begin training or studying.
• IELTS General Training - measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and tests reflect both workplace and social situations.

Who owns IELTS?

IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.

Test format

The IELTS test studies your abilities from listening, reading, writing and speaking – in less than three hours. The Listening, Reading and Writing job of all IELTS tests are done on the same day, with no breaks in between them whereas the Speaking section, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests depending upon your test centers.

The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

• Listening
• Academic Reading
• General Training Reading
• Academic Writing
• General Training Writing
• Speaking