The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an International Standardized Test of English Language Proficiency for non-native English language speakers. IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia & Cambridge Assessment English. International students and workers who want to study or work in a country where English is the primary language of communication must take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The most common countries where IELTS is accepted for university applications are the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. The IELTS exam looks at listening, reading, speaking, and writing, which are the four main English language skills.

Who can take the IELTS Exam and why?

The IELTS exam is required for academic and migration purposes in English-speaking nations like Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. It is the only English Language Test that has been approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for applicants seeking visas to enter and leave the United Kingdom. Many students are unsure of the significance of IELTS results. A straightforward response is that authorities issuing visas and international universities must guarantee that students will not encounter difficulties communicating while in the country. Their overall IELTS band scores are important because they need to show that they understand and can speak English well. Students are also unsure whether or not the IELTS exam is required. It's possible that many institutions will not even consider applicants based on IELTS scores. In any case, understudies ought to remember that if they don't take IELTS, their possibilities of getting a study visa might be changed.

IELTS Registration: Online or Offline Test

There are two options available for booking your IELTS test: online or offline at an IDP branch. Here's how you can do it:

• Go to the IELTS India website.
• Click on the "Register for IELTS" option.
• Choose the type of test you prefer: computer-delivered IELTS or paper-based (IELTS, IELTS for UKVI, or Life Skills).
• Select the specific test type/module you want to take: Academic or General Training for IELTS, IELTS for UKVI, A1 and B1 for Life Skills. Be careful when choosing the module you want.
• Pick your desired test location or city from the available IELTS test centers in India.
• Once you've done that, a list of available dates for your preferences will be displayed. Choose your desired date and time slot.
• Fill in all the required details and complete your online application. Don't forget to upload a clear, scanned colour copy of your passport to finalize the process.
• Proceed to pay the test fee.
• After successfully booking your test date, you will receive an acknowledgment via email or phone. If you're taking the Paper-based IELTS, you can also book a slot for the Speaking test online on your preferred date and time. If you don't choose a slot within the given time period, one will be automatically assigned to you.
• If you prefer not to register online, you can also register in person at the nearest IDP IELTS branch or Referral Partner. Make sure to bring photocopies of your passport ID (front and back pages) and a signed and dated declaration document.

IELTS Test Fees

The IELTS registration fee is around 16,250 INR. The fee might differ because of time factors and if one chooses variations from below:

• Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI
• Computer-delivered IELTS
• IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)
• IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration
• Pen and paper-based IELTS

IELTS Test Cancellation Fee:

A 25% administration fee gets deducted from your refund if you cancel your IELTS exam within five weeks of the scheduled date and refund processing may take from four to six weeks.

If canceled within five weeks of the IELTS exam, there will be no refunds.

On some rare cases like the one below gets some exemptions in this policy:

• Serious illness/accidents
• Bereavement
• Adversity/trauma (induced as a victim of crime/traffic accident)
• Military service

IELTS Test Rescheduling Fee

A rescheduling of the test day is free up until five weeks before the test date.

The new test date must be set no later than three months after the previous one. If you are sick, you can transfer within five weeks of the test if you send in the Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form and the original medical certificate within five working days of the test date. Candidates need to pay INR 3,300 (inclusive of all taxes) for rescheduling of the test date, this amount is an administrative charge.

Eligibility for IELTS Test:

Anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, or religion, can take the IELTS test. As a result, neither the British Council nor the IELTS administrators have established an age limit. It is not encouraged for candidates under the age of 16 to apply. However, they are free to take the exam if they so choose.

IELTS eligibility requirements have not been established by the IDP, which administers IELTS. Anyone who wants to work or attend school in another country (both Academic and General Training) can take the IELTS IDP test. However, before applying, candidates should carefully review the organization's or educational institution's eligibility requirements.

IELTS 2023-24 Exam Structure: Types & Syllabus

In IELTS Test both computer-based and paper-based IELTS Tests are available. For the tuning, recorded as a hard copy, and perusing segments of the IELTS computer-based test, competitors utilize a system. In contrast, the speaking test is administered in front of a trained examiner. With the computer-based IELTS, more test dates are available, and results are available in three to five days. Those taking the IELTS Test on paper complete the reading, writing, and listening sections with HB pencils or a pen, and the speaking portion is completed in front of a trained IELTS examiner.

IELTS Writing Section

The IELTS Writing Section syllabus differs between the two versions:

IELTS Academic:

Here are two tasks- In the first one, applicants define a procedure, chart, graph, or diagram, and in the second task, they explain the information in their own words.

IELTS General Training:

In this version too, there are two tasks. The first task requires applicants to write a letter or explain a condition, and the second task requires them to respond with an essay.

IELTS Reading Section

There are 40 questions in three sections of the reading portion of the IELTS syllabus. Candidates are required to read sections of the text and respond to multiple-choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, and short answer questions in this. There are 13 to 14 questions in each section. The reading module has 40 questions in total. The reading section of the IELTS syllabus differs between the two versions.

IELTS Academic:

• The schedule comprises 3 long texts.
• The content ranges from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical.
• The texts are taken from journals, books, newspapers, and magazines, whose sources are undeniable.
• These are for non-expert candidates.
• Suitable for candidates enrolling in higher education or seeking professional registration in a global setting.

IELTS General Training:

• Applicants can check daily for topics from books, dailies, classifieds, magazines, brochures etc.
• Keeping touch daily with English-speaking surroundings.

IELTS Listening Section

This section has four units with increasing difficulty. Each unit consists of either a speech or a dialogue, preceded by a brief introduction outlining the condition and the speakers. After that, they get some time to go over the questions. The Academic and General Training IELTS syllabuses are the same. It has 40 items in four sections. These are their names:

• First, a dialogue between two people.
• Secondly, is a speech or monologue.
• Next is a discussion among a limit of four competitors organized in a scholarly setting.
• The final one is a speech on a subject related to academia.

IELTS Speaking Section

This part of the test will be recorded for evaluation purposes and consists of three parts that simulate a face-to-face oral interview with an examiner. It typically takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. There are three sections to the speaking section of the IELTS syllabus. These are their names:

• The first part is an interview. Here applicants can be asked about their preferences, hobbies, reasons for taking the IELTS test, and other general IELTS speaking topics like family, clothes, computers, free time, fashion, and so on.
• The second section is, where applicants are given a topic card about which they are required to speak. They only have one minute to get ready.
• The third part incorporates a discussion between the analyst and the candidate, questions are asked connected with the point that they have previously spoken about to some extent. This final, less important segment is frequently measured as the most difficult.

IELTS 2023-24 Test Duration:

The total time of the test is 2 hours 45 minutes and is divided into 4 parts:

• Writing - 60 minutes
• Reading - 60 minutes
• Listening - 30 minutes (10 minutes extra are allowed to transfer answers from the question booklet to an answer sheet)
• Speaking - 11 to 14 minutes

IELTS Test Results:

IELTS on computer results will be available online within 3 to 5 days after the test date. This is the same for IELTS for UKVI. For IELTS on paper, results will be available online on the 13th day after the test. IELTS Life Skills Results are available after the 7th day of the test. All three kinds of results are available by mail as well.

IELTS Score Band

Band Score	Skill Level
9	Expert User
8	Very Good User
7	Good User
6	Competent User
5	Modest User
4	Limited User
3	Extremely Limited User
2	Intermittent User
1	Non-User
0	Did not attempt the test

Free Access to the IELTS Test Preparation Guide

Learn everything you need to know about the IELTS exam, including eligibility, preparation tips, the test procedure, the exam pattern, syllabus, how to register, important exam dates, and more! If you want to pass the IELTS exam with a high band score, this guide is your one-stop resource.

FAQs about IELTS

Can I retake the IELTS test if I'm not satisfied with my score?

Yes, you can retake the IELTS test if you're not satisfied with your score. There's no limit to the number of times you can retake it, but you must register and pay the test fee for each attempt. It's important to review your performance, prepare thoroughly, and consider additional study or practice to improve your score before retaking the exam.

How soon can I retake the IELTS exam if I'm not content with my score?

You can retake the IELTS exam as soon as there is an available test date that suits your schedule. There's no official waiting period or limit on how many times you can retake the test. You'll need to register and pay the test fee for each attempt. It's important to check the availability of test dates at your preferred test center, as they may vary depending on location and demand.

What's the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training?

IELTS Academic is intended for individuals planning to pursue higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. It assesses academic language skills. IELTS General Training is for those seeking immigration to English-speaking countries and focuses on everyday language used in work and social situations. Both tests have different Reading and Writing modules, while the Listening and Speaking modules are the same for both versions.

Where can I take the IELTS test?

You can take the IELTS test at numerous authorized test centers worldwide. These centers are typically located in major cities and educational institutions. To find a convenient test center near you and to register for the IELTS exam, visit the official IELTS website or contact the nearest British Council, IDP, or Cambridge ESOL office, as they are the organizations responsible for conducting the IELTS test.

How often is the IELTS test conducted?

The frequency of IELTS test sessions can vary depending on the location and demand. In most major cities, IELTS is conducted multiple times a month, often on Saturdays and sometimes on Thursdays. This frequent scheduling provides flexibility for test takers to choose a date that suits their convenience. It's advisable to check with your local IELTS test center for precise test date availability and registration information.