ABOUT IELTS

What kind of test is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is an exam intended for non-native English speakers. Its purpose is to find out what your level of English is (your result is a band score between 0 and 9). Usually you need to take the IELTS test if you are applying for a job or to study in a college or university in an English-speaking country, or if you are immigrating to such country. There are 2 modules of the IELTS test – Academic and General Training. The Academic Module is one that future students take and the General Training Module is for ​people who intend to ​live and work in another country. You can take IELTS on paper or on a computer.

The IELTS test formalities

When it becomes clear to you that you need to take the IELTS test, you’ll have to go through some formalities – which are:

1. Call your local IELTS test centre or go online and find out the dates when you can take an IELTS exam and how much it costs. Note: the dates could be different for the Academic and General IELTS exams.
2. Register and pay online or download and print the application form, fill your details, enclose a copy of your identification and, of course, the payment and send it to your local IELTS centre.
3. Make sure they received it and allocated a seat for you on the date you have chosen.

Learn more about the IELTS exam – techniques, tips and secrets here

Get more IELTS preparation tips and advice here.

How is IELTS structured?

The IELTS test consists of four parts:

• Listening test
• Reading Test
• Writing Test
• Speaking Test

The Listening test takes about 40 minutes – 30 minutes to listen to a recording and to answer questions on what you hear, and 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet (if you are taking the paper-based test). In a computer-delivered IELTS you will get 2 minutes to check your answers, which you would have already typed in the gaps.

The Reading test takes 1 hour and your task is to read passages of text and answer questions according to what you have read. There are several types of tasks you may need to do, and we cover them on this website.

The Writing test also takes 1 hour and is divided into 2 parts: you are given 20 minutes to write a letter/report and 40 minutes to write an essay.

The Speaking test takes up to 15 minutes and consists of 3 parts: an Interview where the examiner asks some questions about yourself, a Cue Card talk where you are the only one talking, and a two-way Discussion with the examiner.

Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done one after another, and only before the Speaking test you get a break. Sometimes the Speaking test is even held on a different day.