IELTS

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

Since 1989, IELTS has been proven and trusted worldwide to provide a secure, global, authentic and customer-focused test which measures true to life ability to communicate in English. Close to 5,000 educational institutions, government agencies and professional organisations around the world recognise IELTS scores as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.

More than 700,000 people a year are now using IELTS to open doors throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. The test is taken every year across 120 countries, and is one of the fastest growing English language tests in the world, and sets the standard in integrity, research and innovation.

IELTS Test
IELTS is an English Language Proficiency test that is required to be taken by non-native students for study in countries where the medium of instruction is English. Among the popular study destinations IELTS is accepted by universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia.

It has become a mandatory test for students of many nationalities to get student visas to Australia. You cannot be granted an Australian student visa without an IELTS score if you are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and many other countries, TOEFL is not accepted. The test is conducted by the British Council. Also some institutes runs short courses are to prepare you for IELTS.

The test results are normally made available within two weeks of taking the test. You can also ask for more copies of your test results.

The test has different sections:

• The Listening Section - Duration: 30 minutes
• Academic reading/general training reading section - Duration: 60 minutes
• Academic writing/general training writing section - Duration: 60 minutes
• Speaking Section : Duration : 11 - 14 minutes

Total test time : 2 hours and 45 minutes
The minimum score accepted for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending upon courses and institutes you are applying to. The most common requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5.

Test Reports have a validity of two years.

You can retake the test if you do not achieve the desired score but not before three months of the first test date.