IELTS, International Exam Language Testing System is the world’s most popular International Standardized Test to evaluate the English language ability of the non-native English speakers. This is designed to see that candidate who needs to move in the countries like Australia, UK, New Zealand, USA, and Canada would not have any communication problems.

IELTS has been pioneer of four English Language skills (Speaking, Listening, Writing and Reading) testing over 25 Years ago and continues to set the test for the same. The candidate is examined with complete justice irrespective of any nationality or background. The IELTS test results are recognized by more than 10,000 organizations including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments in around 140 countries around the world. This test has now become one of the basic steps to start up with the visa applicat ion process and gaining global exposure. Test scores(measured in bands) not only assure Visa Authorities that applicant would be able to communicate well in the country (of course, for which the visa applied), also accepted worldwide.

Who is it for?

IELTS is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. This Test is suitable for all those who applying either for

• Work
• Study or
• Migration

It is also accepted by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. More than 2 million people a year take the test.

IELTS Academic or IELTS General

There are mainly two types of IELTS Exam for candidates moving abroad.

IELTS Academic Test is suitable for aspirants who want to enroll for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Candidate looking for the admission in English speaking universities or some professional registration then this is right choice of the test.

IELTS General Test is suitable for the aspirants who are applying to study or train below degree level. This test focuses on evaluating basic survival skills in broad social and workplace context. If you are looking for IELTS Exam for the migration process, this the right test choice for the candidate.

If you’re unsure about both the types of the IELTS Test, try this article: Different Types of IELTS Test!

IELTS Test Formats

Candidate’s English language skills are assessed in four skills:

• Listening – This part of test consists of four recording of native English speakers may it be monologue or conversations. This is completed in approximately 30 minutes. This will evaluate the ability of the candidate of understanding the main ideas and factual information, opinion and attitude of speakers.
• Reading – This is second part of the test and takes 60 minutes. It consists of three or four task of reading and 40 questions to answer thereafter. This includes reading of long texts range from descriptive to the factual information taken from the books, journals, magazines or the non-specialist audience.
• Writing - This part of the test takes 60 minutes to complete. This comprises of two tasks:
  • Task 1 would be presented graphs, table, charts or diagram and asked to explain the same in
  • Task 2 would be to write an easy in response to a point of view, argument a problem in a formal way.
• Speaking – This part of the test is recorded and evaluates the spoken English of the candidate. It takes around 11-14 minutes to complete. This would a face to face interview between test takers and the examiner. The examiner could ask general questions like expressing yourself, familiar topics such as home, family, work etc. Candidate would be given a card to express and talk about some topic

Note that Speaking and Listening is common for the both types of test. Read more about IELTS Test Formats

IELTS for Study

IELTS is available in Academic for those candidates who are applying higher education or professional registration while IELTS General test for those candidates who are migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK or applying for the secondary education, professional trainings or work experience in and English Speaking country. Both the versions of tests comprises of all four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Listening and Speaking are same for both the tests. However, Reading and Writing sections differs depending of which test is been selected to appear.

IELTS for Work

In most of the countries, English is the primary language of communication. Thus, IELTS acts as the evidence that the candidate is proficient in the basic four languages (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing). It is entirely up to the candidate’s professional registration bodies to determine the IELTS band score level required and the version of test(Academic or General) they require. Employers from the various sectors like health care professions, finance, government, tourism etc demands for IELTS.

IELTS for Migration

IELTS is also accepted for migration in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. IELTS is widely accepted by many visa categories as well as the permanent residence.

• Australia – To obtain an Australian Visa, aspirants need to demonstrate their English Language abilities. It’s the English Language Test of choice for most of the educational organizations, professional associations and employers across the Australia.
• Canada – For applying the work visa, professional recognition or the permanent residency in Canada, English Language Proficiency is usually required. IELTS General Training is the only internationally available English proficiency test accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration to Canada.
• New Zealand – The New Zealand visa authorities’ demands for IELTS as demonstration of the English Language ability, including those within the Skilled Migrant, Investor and Entrepreneur, Residence from Work and Parent categories. With IELTS you can be confident that you are taking a test that is trusted by institutions and organizations throughout New Zealand.
• UK –To settle permanently in the UK which is also known as ‘Leave to remain’ or ‘long residence’ also require evidence of English Language ability. Unlike other countries, UK Visas and Immigration(UKVI) also accepts IELTS Life Skills as one of the type of test with IELTS Academic and IELTS General.

Learn more about various types of IELTS test and their requirements.

IELTS Eligibility

There are no as such hard eligibility rules for appearing in IELTS exam. Candidates who are at least 16 or above can take test. Also there is no limit on the number of attempts candidate wants to attempt until he/she reaches the dream band score. Read more

Who conducts IELTS?

IELTS test is jointly managed by Expert International Education Organization. International Development Program (IDP), British Council and the Cambridge English Language Assessment. IDP and British Council organize the IELTS test and Cambridge English Language Assessment with its expert team set the IELTS Exam. Read more

How to prepare for the IELTS Test?

IELTS preparation differs from candidate to candidate depending upon their English Language skills and their reason to apply for the Visa in any of the foreign countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and UK. At the initial stage of preparation candidate must check the proficiency level by taking few mock tests honestly. That would give general idea whether candidate is:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Expert

And the other factor that affects the IELTS preparation is the reason why candidate is applying for the Visa.Reason may be work, study or migration. This will help choosing the right type of IELTS Test to appear. After knowing the candidate’s English language ability and type of test to appear, this becomes easy to plan a milestone of how to prepare for the IELTS Exam and gather IELTS Preparation Tips.

How to book or register for the IELTS Exam?

Registering for the IELTS Exam can be made with two main organizations namely IDP and British Council. The IELTS test cost varies time to time. At present, IELTS General and IELTS Academics costs Rs 13250/- , IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration costs INR 18,500/- and IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) costs INR 13,850/-Test dates are available 48 times in calendar year i.e. once in a week and 4 times in a months. Know more about the IELTS Test Dates.

Learn in detail about booking for the IELTS Test via online or offline methods.