About the IELTS

The letters IELTS stand for the International English Language Testing System. This test is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and assesses whether you are ready to study or work in English.

The IELTS is widely recognized as a language requirement by further and higher education institutions, immigration authorities, and professional bodies. It is the preferred language test of most universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and is recognised by 400 universities and colleges in the United States of America.

The IELTS is developed and managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

Your results are sent to you, and may also be sent to the institutions to which you have applied, within two weeks of taking the test.

Test Structure

Note: All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.

The first three Modules – Listening, Reading, and Writing – must be completed on the same day. There is no break between the Modules. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.

A computerised version of the IELTS Listening, Reading, and Writing Modules (CBIELTS) is available at some centres, but all centres will continue to offer the paper-based IELTS, and candidates will be given the choice of the medium in which they may wish to take the test.