The IELTS Examination

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The IELTS English test is an internationally-recognised system for testing English language. It is designed to measure ability to communicate in English across all the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

If you aim to study at university level in the UK, you will be required to take an IELTS English test and get the required score. The universities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Irelands also recognise the IELTS examination and it also recognised by the immigration authorities in the UK, under such as the new points based immigration system.

The IELTS examination is available to take in two formats – Academic and General Training.

The Academic format is normally required for candidates that are going to study or train at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This form of the ITELTS examination will assess the ability of the candidate as to whether they are ready to study or train. Admission to a course is based on the score that particular institutions accept as their standard.

The General Training format doesn’t have a formal design like the Academic format. However, the test is accessing the ability of candidates to survive in a broad social and educational context. This format is suited for students who want to go for a work experience or training program.

Regardless of which IELTS English test program you decide to follow, the examination structure will remain the same. You will be required to sit four modules in total which are: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The total IELTS English test duration will be 2 hours and 45 minutes and there are some constraints on how you can sit the exam. The Listening, Reading and Writing modules must always be taken in that order and must be all sat in one day with no break. The speaking part of the IELTS examination, however, may be taken seven days before or after the other modules. However, this is at the discretion of the test centre, so be sure to ask before you book.

You can find information on the various IELTS examination modules by using the following links: