If you’re an international student planning to study in an English-speaking country, proving your English language proficiency is an essential part of your application process. Among the standardized tests that higher education institutions use during application review, the IELTS is one of the most widely trusted and recognized exams worldwide. Whether you’re applying for a degree program, a work visa, or permanent residency, your IELTS score can help you gain access to top universities and life-changing opportunities abroad.
Find out more about the IELTS exam, what it is, what you can expect, and how you can prepare, so you can get a head start on your academic and professional journey overseas.
What Is the IELTS Full Form?
The International English Language Testing System, the full form of IELTS, is the world’s most popular and widely used English language proficiency test. Originally launched in 1980, this exam is developed and administered collaboratively by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English, and has long set the global standard for English language testing. Today, more than 12,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, governments, and immigration authorities, use IELTS.
What Is the IELTS Exam?
IELTS is a globally recognized standardized test designed to assess the language skills of people who want to study, work, or migrate to countries where English is a major language. Each year, more than 3.5 million people take the IELTS exam to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in the English language. This test plays a vital role in supporting international mobility, and for international students, your IELTS scores are often a key requirement for university admission and student visa applications.
The Different Types of IELTS Tests
IELTS offers two primary test formats to suit different goals, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Each version is designed to assess English language proficiency in a specific context, and choosing the right one depends on your purpose for taking the test.
IELTS Academic — For international students who want to pursue higher education in an English-speaking country, this is the ideal test format for you. It evaluates your ability to understand and use academic language, ensuring you are prepared for university coursework. This version of the test is widely accepted by universities and professional organizations, and is often required for student visa applications.
IELTS General Training — This test focuses on practical, everyday English language skills. It is best suited for those who are planning to work or migrate to an English-speaking country. Though this test is not typically required for university admission, international students could take this test to boost their credentials, especially if planning to work during or after their studies.
Once you have decided which IELTS test best suits your goals, it is important to understand how IELTS exams are conducted. Familiarizing yourself with the test format before sitting for your exam can give you better chances of success.
How Does the IELTS Test Work?
The IELTS exam is made up of four modules — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — that add up to a total exam time of two hours and 45 minutes. The first three modules are taken on the same day, consecutively with no breaks, but the Speaking module may be held on the same day or a week before or after, depending on local arrangements and availability.
You can choose to take the test on paper or on a computer at an official test center and, in some locations, you may even be able to take the IELTS online from home.
It is important that you take extra care when writing your answers, as you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Listening
Time: 30 minutes plus 10 minutes to transfer answers
Number of parts: Four recordings, 10 questions each
This section measures your ability to understand spoken English in a variety of contexts. You will listen to four recordings, each of a different scenario that is played only once, and answer questions that test your understanding of the presented concepts, viewpoints, and the progression of arguments.
The exam is made up of a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, matching, labeling, fill-in-the-gaps, sentence completion, and short answer questions. You will also have time to read questions before each recording begins and transfer your answers to your answer sheet after the recordings finish.
Reading
Time: 60 minutes, including transfer time
Number of parts: 40 questions
The Reading module evaluates how well you can understand written English. You will be tested on your ability to grasp the general meaning of a text, identify specific details, and interpret the author’s opinions and implications.
While the format is the same for both test types, IELTS Academic has three long texts that are academic-focused and relevant to higher education students, while IELTS General Training features more familiar texts from everyday sources like newspapers, magazines, and advertisements. Keep in mind that, unlike the listening module, there is no additional time to transfer your answers to your answer sheet.
Writing
Time: 60 minutes
Number of parts: Two writing tasks
In the Writing section, you will be tested on how clearly you can organize your thoughts, respond coherently, and accurately use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar.
This module also has a difference between test types — in the first task for the Academic Writing, you are asked to describe or explain visual information, like a diagram or graph, in your own words. Conversely, the first General Training Writing task asks you to respond to a given situation with a letter asking for more information or explaining the situation. The second task is the same for both test types, asking you to write a short essay discussing a given topic.
The Academic Writing tasks are structured around university-level topics while General Training focuses on more everyday writing scenarios, but both versions are graded using the same scoring criteria. As you will need to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2, it is recommended that you dedicate 20 minutes at most to the first task before moving on to the second.
Speaking
Time: 11–14 minutes
Number of parts: Three assessments
This section assesses your spoken English skills, such as fluency, pronunciation, and grammatical range, through a structured face-to-face conversation with a certified examiner. During the first part of the test, you will need to introduce yourself and have a brief, casual interview with your examiner, who will ask you general questions about yourself for about four to five minutes.
In the second part, you will be given a task card that asks you to talk about a given topic for two minutes, including points about the topic you will need to include during your talk. You will have a minute to prepare and are allowed to make notes during that time. After you finish, your examiner will ask you a few simple questions on the topic you spoke about. Overall, this part will take about three to four minutes to complete.
In the final part, you will have a four-to-five-minute discussion about your topic with the examiner, who will ask more general, abstract questions to explore the topic in greater depth.
How Is the IELTS Test Scored?
The IELTS test is scored using a nine-band scale that reflects your level of English proficiency across the four tested modules, and each section of the test is graded individually on a scale from 0 to 9. After completing the test, you will receive an IELTS Test Report Form that shows your individual scores for each test component, as well as an Overall Band Score.
These scores show how well you can use and understand English in academic, professional, and everyday settings. There is no pass or fail in IELTS, but each band instead corresponds to a specific level of English ability. A band score of 9 shows an Expert level competency, and 0 indicates someone who did not sit for their exam.
Test results are usually released within three to five days for tests taken on a computer and 13 days after a paper test.
Who Can Apply for the IELTS Exam?
There are no eligibility requirements regarding your academic level or background — anyone above the age of 16 who wants to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country can apply, regardless of home country.
For most countries, you are required to have a valid passport in order to register and sit for an IELTS test, so make sure to check your local IELTS test center’s identification requirements before registering.
What’s the Average Cost for the IELTS Exam?
There is no set standardized fee for taking the IELTS exam, and the cost varies depending on the test format, provider, and location. The fee is typically the same for both Academic and General Training tests, but any additional services you request, such as re-marking, rescheduling, and extra Test Report Forms, may come with extra charges. To get information on the exact test fees, check with your local IELTS test center.
Countries Where the IELTS Is Accepted
IELTS is one of the most widely recognized English language proficiency tests globally, accepted in more than 140 countries worldwide. Here are several of the major English-speaking countries that have IELTS scores as a requirement.
Canada
IELTS is widely accepted in Canada as proof of English language proficiency and is officially recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). An IELTS score is often a key requirement when applying for a study permit, work visa, or permanent residence through programs like Express Entry, Canada’s main pathway for skilled immigration.
Most Canadian institutions and immigration pathways require a minimum score of 6 or higher to demonstrate sufficient English ability for admission.
USA
In the United States, IELTS is accepted by most universities and employers, including top institutions and programs like CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Cambridge ESOL Examinations. While proof of English is not required for some work visas, like the H-1B or L1, submitting a strong IELTS score can enhance your application.
If you are an international student applying for an F-1 student visa, you will typically need a minimum IELTS band score between 6.5 and 7.5, depending on the university. For particularly competitive universities, achieving a higher IELTS Academic score is essential to stand out and elevate your chances of being accepted.
UK
If you are planning to go to the United Kingdom, you will likely need to take the IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) test. This version of the IELTS is approved by the UK Home Office and is required for most visa applications to the UK. International students looking to study at UK universities must take the UKVI Academic test, and most institutions will require a minimum overall score of 6. The content and difficulty of the UKVI test are the same as the regular IELTS, but it can only be taken in person at a UK government-approved test centre.
Ireland
Most top-ranked universities in Ireland will require international students to have an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.5.
Australia
The minimum IELTS Academic score required to study in Australia is 5.5, but most universities will require international students to have a score of at least 6.0 to 6.5.
New Zealand
Most top-tier universities in New Zealand require international students to have a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 6.0.
How to Prepare for the IELTS Test
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the IELTS test format and know what to expect, the best way to prepare is through practice. Practice with sample questions, take full-length mock tests under timed conditions, and get familiar with the types of tasks you’ll encounter. Many students also find it helpful to join IELTS preparation courses, attend workshops, or use the various free online resources offered by IDP, the British Council, and Cambridge English. If you need additional support, you can seek out personal tutors or sign up for IELTS courses.
Through consistent practice, everyday exposure to English, and feedback from teachers or tutors, you can build the confidence you need to succeed on test day.
Learn more about preparing for English Language Tests as an international student >
IELTS FAQs
1. How Long Are the IELTS Scores Valid?
IELTS results become invalid two years from the day you had your exam. After this period, your results are considered expired and may no longer be accepted by universities, employers, or immigration authorities. If your plans to study, work, or migrate are delayed for any reason, you may need to retake the test to meet application requirements, so be sure to make plans with this timeline in mind.
2. How Many Times Can a Student Retake the IELTS?
Should your first IELTS scores fall short of your expectations, you are able to retake it as many times as needed to achieve your academic goals. Depending on your location and test center, it might be held multiple times per month. Remember: you will need to pay the full test fee each time, so study and budget accordingly.
For international students aiming to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country, the IELTS exam is a widely trusted demonstration of your English language proficiency. Preparing for and taking the IELTS exam is a crucial step toward achieving your professional and academic goals.
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