What exactly is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work in countries where English is the primary language.

The University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), the British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia jointly manage IELTS. IELTS meets the most stringent international language assessment standards.

IELTS is accepted by universities and employers in a variety of countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Professional organizations, immigration authorities, and other government agencies all recognize it.

Where can I take the IELTS exam?
IELTS is administered at over 1,100 test centers worldwide. The British Council, IELTS Australia, or universities and language schools run the majority of test centers. By prior arrangement with IELTS, some testing centers also offer off-site testing for large groups.

IELTS Test Time

An IELTS test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. The listening, reading, and writing sections are performed in one sitting on the same day in a common exam hall, while the speaking section is taken individually with an expert IELTS examiner on the same day or up to a week before or after the other exams. Both the Academic and General IELTS tests have the same Listening and Speaking modules. However, the Reading and Writing modules are not the same.

IELTS PATTERN

Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking are the four sections or modules of the IELTS exam. Candidates taking the ‘Academic IELTS’ test or the ‘General Training IELTS’ test take the same Listening and Speaking tests, however the Reading and Writing tests differ depending on whether they are taking the ‘Academic IELTS’ test or the ‘General Training IELTS’ test. Determine which type of IELTS is best for you – Academic or General Training IELTS – and prepare for that IELTS Test Module.

4 sections of the IELTS test:

Speaking – an interview with an examiner, 10-15 minutes.
Listening – 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes.
Reading – 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes [different for Academic or General Training tests].
Writing – 2 writing tasks, 60 minutes [different for Academic or General Training tests].

More options:

Computer-based IELTS, in addition to the classic paper-based IELTS test, has just been introduced and is now available in various test centers throughout the world. This computer-delivered test is now only available in a few selected testing centers, but the IELTS authority plans to expand the computer-based module’s availability.

The computer-delivered IELTS test has three sections: listening, reading, and writing. However, a human examiner will conduct the speaking examination face to face. 

Please keep in mind that if you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to work, live, or study in the UK, you may need to take the IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Academic or General Training or the IELTS for Life Skills test rather than the general IELTS test.

IELTS Life Skills test takers should go to the IELTS Life Skills section for more information on this special IELTS test, FAQs, preparation materials, and sample questions and answers. If you want to take the IELTS Life Skills test instead of the Academic or GT IELTS, you should:

• You want to live permanently with a family, spouse, or partner who already lives in the UK.
• You are currently residing in the United Kingdom and wish to make it your permanent residence.
• You desire to obtain British citizenship or become a British citizen.