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The IELTS exam
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.
Who is it for?
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries,
including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.
It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities
and other government agencies.
More than 700,000 people a year take the test.
What is the IELTS test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions
of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections:
- Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
- Speaking - interview, 15 minutes
- Academic Reading - different for Academic
or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
- Full academic reading test (40 questions)
- Academic reading test 2
- General Reading
- General reading test part 1 New!
- General reading test part 2 New!
- General reading test part 3 New!
- General reading test 1
- Writing - different for Academic
or General Training - 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes
- Academic writing part 1 (describing a chart)
- Writing part 2 (essay)
Level and scores
Multi-level. You get a score between 1 and 9. Half scores such
as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or
7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections. IELTS
scores compare with TOEFL and the Cambridge exams approximately as follows:
| Band Score | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Score / 40 | 39-40 | 37-38 | 35-36 | 32-34 | 29-31 | 26-28 | 22-25 | 18-21 | 15-17 | 12-14 | 10-11 | 8-10 | 4-5 |
Click here to see a comparison of IELTS scores with other exams.
Where do I take the test?
IELTS tests are administered at accredited Test Centres throughout
the world - there are currently more than 300 Centres, in over 120 countries.
Click here
to find a test centre.
At some centres you can take the computer-based version of IELTS. This is only available for academic modules at some centres only. This site has examples of CB IELTS reading and listening tests.
When can I take the test?
Arrange with your closest test centre. There are frequent dates,
usually on Thursdays or Saturdays.
How much does it cost to take IELTS?
Fees are set by test centres. Expect to pay around £110
GBP or $160 USD.
What materials do I need?
Click here to see the
exam books recommended by Exam English.
Listening 1 (full test) | Listening 2 | Academic Reading 1 (full test) | Academic Reading 2 | General Reading part 1 | General Reading part 2 | General Reading part 3 | Reading 3 | Writing 1 | Writing 2 | Vocabulary 1 | Vocabulary 2 | Grammar 1 | Grammar 2 | About IELTS