The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was first introduced in 1980 under the name “ELTS.” In 1989, IELTS grew rapidly with the establishment of the international IELTS partnership, enabling people around the world to take the test. Over the years, IELTS has become a benchmark for English language testing, helping individuals achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals.
IELTS is co-owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. With a strong global presence and dedication to research, we are ideally positioned as a leader in international English language testing.
Which organizations recognize IELTS?
IELTS is accepted by more than 12,000 organizations in over 140 countries.
These organizations include:
- Government departments and immigration authorities
- Universities, schools, colleges, and training institutions
- Multinational companies and employers
- Professional and industry associations
To ensure that the organization you are applying to accepts IELTS and to confirm the type of test you need (IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training), it is important to contact them directly.
Some organizations may also specify how you must take the test, whether at an official test center or online. For example, if you are taking IELTS for migration purposes, you will need to take the test at an official test center.
What is the IELTS test format?
Understanding the IELTS test format provides a clear advantage for test-takers. It is important to familiarize yourself with how the IELTS testing process works.
There are two versions of the test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both are assessed using the same scoring criteria.
The first three sections—Listening, Reading, and Writing—are conducted consecutively on the same day without a break. The final section is Speaking, which will take place on the same day or up to seven days before or after, depending on the schedule in your area.
IELTS Listening Test: Format, Tips, and Scoring Guide
The IELTS Listening Test is designed to evaluate essential listening skills. It assesses your ability to:
- Understand main ideas and specific information
- Identify opinions, attitudes, and purposes of speakers
- Follow the development of arguments
IELTS Listening Test Format
You will listen to four recordings featuring native English speakers and answer a series of questions based on what you hear. The recordings are designed to cover a range of real-life situations:
- Recording 1: A conversation between two people in a daily social context.
- Recording 2: A monologue in an everyday context, such as a speech about local facilities.
- Recording 3: A conversation among up to four people in an academic or training context, such as a discussion between a university lecturer and students about an assignment.
- Recording 4: A monologue on an academic topic, such as a university lecture.
Duration of the IELTS Listening Test
The IELTS Listening Test lasts approximately 30 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the question booklet to the answer sheet.
Number of Questions in the IELTS Listening Test
The test consists of 40 questions in total.
Task Types in the IELTS Listening Test
The test includes a variety of question types, such as:
- Multiple choice
- Matching
- Labeling maps or diagrams
- Completing forms, notes, tables, flow-charts, summaries, or sentences
IELTS Listening Test Scoring
Each correct answer earns one point. The total score out of 40 is converted into the IELTS 9-band scale, and scores are reported in whole or half bands.
Prepare for IELTS Listening Success
To excel in the IELTS Listening Test, practice active listening with various English accents, familiarize yourself with different question types, and develop note-taking strategies to capture key information during the test.
Maximize Your IELTS Reading Test Score: Strategies for Success
In the IELTS Reading Test, you need to read quickly and efficiently while managing your time effectively. You’ll be asked to read three different texts and answer related questions. The content of the Reading test varies between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
The IELTS Reading Test is designed to evaluate various reading skills, including your ability to:
- Understand the overall meaning of a text
- Identify main ideas
- Scan for specific information
- Interpret conclusions and implied meanings
- Recognize opinions, attitudes, and purposes of the writer
- Follow the development of an argument
IELTS Academic Reading Format
You will read three long texts, ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These texts are sourced from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers, chosen for a general audience but suitable for those entering university or seeking professional registration.
- Duration: The IELTS Reading test lasts about 60 minutes, including the time to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
- Number of Questions: 40 questions.
- Types of Tasks: You may be asked to fill gaps in a text or table, match headings with texts, diagrams, or charts, complete sentences, give short answers to open-ended questions, or answer multiple-choice questions.
- Scoring: Each correct answer earns one point. The score out of 40 is converted to the IELTS 9-band scale and reported as whole or half bands.
IELTS General Training Reading Format
You will encounter extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guides—materials typically found in everyday English-speaking environments.
- Duration: The test lasts about 60 minutes, including the time to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
- Number of Questions: 40 questions.
- Types of Tasks: Like the Academic test, tasks may include filling gaps in a text or table, matching headings, completing sentences, answering open-ended questions, and multiple-choice questions.
- Scoring: Each correct answer earns one point, and the score out of 40 is converted to the IELTS 9-band scale, reported as whole or half bands.
IELTS Writing Test: Key to Success in English Proficiency
The IELTS Writing Test is designed to assess a wide range of writing skills, including your ability to:
- Respond appropriately to tasks
- Organize ideas effectively
- Use a variety of vocabulary and grammar accurately
IELTS Academic Writing
Format: In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you are required to write in a formal style. For Task 1, you will be given a graph, table, chart, or diagram, and asked to describe, summarize, or explain the information in your own words. This may involve explaining and interpreting data, describing the stages of a process, explaining how something works, or discussing an object or event. In Task 2, you will write an essay in response to a given viewpoint, argument, or issue. Your response should be clear and engaging.
Duration: The IELTS Writing test lasts for 60 minutes. You should spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. It’s important to manage your time and move on to Task 2 after 20 minutes.
Number of Tasks: 2 tasks.
Task Types: In Task 1, you must write at least 150 words, while in Task 2, you need to write a minimum of 250 words.
Assessment: Your writing is assessed by a certified IELTS examiner. Task 2 is weighted twice as much as Task 1, and scores are provided in whole or half-band increments.
IELTS General Training Writing
Format: The topics in the IELTS General Training Writing test are of a general nature. For Task 1, you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be written in a personal, semi-formal, or formal style. In Task 2, you need to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem in a relatively personal tone.
Duration: The test lasts 60 minutes. You should allocate 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2, managing your time to ensure you move to Task 2 after 20 minutes.
Number of Tasks: 2 tasks.
Task Types: You will complete two tasks. Task 1 requires a minimum of 150 words, and Task 2 requires at least 250 words.
Assessment: Your writing is evaluated by a certified IELTS examiner. Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1, and scores are provided in whole or half-band increments.
IELTS Speaking Test: What to Expect and How to Prepare
In the IELTS Speaking Test, you will engage in a conversation with a certified examiner. This interactive test is designed to simulate real-life situations as closely as possible. You may hear various accents, and the session will be recorded for accuracy.
The Speaking Test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
What Skills Does the IELTS Speaking Test Evaluate?
The IELTS Speaking Test assesses a range of speaking skills. The examiner will evaluate how well you can:
- Share opinions and information about everyday topics and general experiences, by answering various questions.
- Speak at length on a given topic using appropriate language.
- Organize your ideas clearly and logically.
- Express and justify your opinions.
- Analyze, discuss, and speculate on different issues.
To succeed, it’s important to stay relaxed and speak fluently, aiming for a natural flow of speech.
IELTS Speaking Test Format
The Speaking Test is divided into three parts:
- Part 1: The examiner will introduce themselves, ask you to introduce yourself, and confirm your identity. You’ll be asked general questions about familiar topics such as your home, family, work, studies, and hobbies. This part helps you feel more comfortable and speak naturally.
- Part 2: You’ll receive a task card with a topic and points to cover. After one minute of preparation, you will speak on the topic for 1-2 minutes without interruption. The examiner will then ask some follow-up questions on the same topic.
- Part 3: The examiner will ask more in-depth questions related to the topic from Part 2, allowing you to explore more abstract ideas and issues.
Duration of the IELTS Speaking Test
The test lasts 11-14 minutes.
How is the IELTS Speaking Test Scored?
Your performance will be evaluated by a certified IELTS examiner based on four key criteria:
- Fluency and coherence
- Lexical resource (vocabulary range)
- Grammatical accuracy
- Pronunciation
Your score will be reported as a whole band or a half band.