IELTS

The exam explained

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). It is used to assess the English language skills of individuals who plan to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries. It's widely accepted in countries like Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many more.

 The IELTS test assesses four language skills:

  • Listening: (30 minutes) Test takers listen to a variety of recordings and answer questions based on the information they hear.

  • Reading: (60 minutes) Test takers read passages from different sources, such as books, articles, and newspapers, and answer questions to assess their comprehension.

  • Writing: (60 minutes) The writing section consists of two tasks. In Task 1, test takers might be asked to describe, summarize, or explain visual information (such as graphs or charts). In Task 2, they write an essay on a given topic.

  • Speaking: (11-14 minutes) Test takers engage in a face-to-face interview with an examiner. The speaking section assesses their ability to communicate clearly, express opinions, and engage in a conversation.

There are two versions of the test:

  • IELTS Academic: This version is intended for individuals applying to higher education institutions or professional registration in English-speaking countries. It focuses on academic language skills and is suited for students and professionals in fields like medicine, engineering, and science.

  • IELTS General Training: This version is often required for immigration, work, or training purposes. It assesses practical language skills and is suitable for individuals planning to work or live in an English-speaking country.

IELTS scores are reported on a band scale from 1 to 9, with each band representing a different level of English proficiency. Test takers receive separate scores for each of the four skills and an overall band score, which is the average of the four individual scores.

The specific requirements and band scores accepted by different institutions and organizations may vary, so it's important to check the requirements of the destination you're interested in.

Who develops and runs IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is created and managed by a partnership of organizations.

  • British Council: The British Council is a British organization that promotes educational and cultural opportunities around the world. It is responsible for administering IELTS tests in many countries.

  • IDP: IDP is an Australian organization that specializes in international education services. It also administers IELTS tests in various countries.

  • Cambridge Assessment English: Cambridge Assessment English is part of the University of Cambridge and is responsible for creating and assessing the content of the IELTS exam.

These three organizations work together to ensure the quality and consistency of the IELTS exam.

Visa applications for the UK

IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills

IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills are secure English language tests (SELT) approved by the UK Home Office for visa applications to the UK and are taken at a UKVI-approved test centre.

  • IELTS for UKVI tests are the same as IELTS tests but are taken at a UKVI-approved test centre. IELTS for UKVI tests have the same content, format, scoring and level of difficulty as the IELTS tests, but are taken at a UKVI-approved test centre. This is reflected on the Test Report Forms.

  • IELTS Life Skills is a test of Speaking and Listening and is available at CEFR Levels A1, A2 and B1. It is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.

The format of IELTS Life Skills involves a one-on-one interview with a certified examiner and another test taker at the same level. During the interview, candidates are asked to engage in a conversation, provide information, express opinions, and interact with the examiner and the other test taker.

It's essential to check the specific English language proficiency requirements for your UK visa or immigration application, as different visas may have different language level requirements. Additionally, the requirements and formats for language tests like IELTS Life Skills may change, so it's advisable to consult the official UK government website or the official IELTS website for the most up-to-date information.