Welcome to IELTS

IELTS is internationally available, internationally accessible, internationally recognised and internationally focused.

Candidates can sit the test at one of 500 centres in 125 countries. Tests are held on fixed dates throughout the year in the same examination conditions across the world.

The test has four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. It assesses the candidate’s ability to use English in real-life situations. There are two formats – Academic (for university and tertiary education) and General Training.

Tests are marked rigorously and consistently. Results are scored on a unique 9-band system from 1 (Non User) to 9 (Expert). IELTS scores are valid for two years.

For more details on the test, download the Stakeholder Guide (PDF, 598KB)

IELTS provides an analysis of test data for each year. It also has information on how IELTS compares to other tests in the Common European Framework.

For detailed explanations of the separate parts of the test, see the Teachers section. For more information on research undertaken or commissioned by IELTS, see the Researchers section.

The IELTS test has four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Candidates must do all four parts to receive an IELTS result. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

IELTS is available in two test formats: Academic or General Training. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules but different Reading and Writing modules. Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day. The Speaking test may be offered on the same day or up to a week before or after the other parts. See below for a diagram of the test format.



For more information, see the Stakeholder Guide (PDF, 598KB)

IELTS is available in two formats – Academic and General Training.

The following definitions are to be used as a general guide only.

Academic – Institutions of Higher and Further Education
The Academic format is, broadly speaking, for those who want to study or train in an English-speaking university or Institutions of Higher and Further Education. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of the Academic test.

General Training – for school, work or migration
The General Training format focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts. It is typically for those who are going to English-speaking countries to do secondary education, work experience or training programs. People migrating to Australia, Canada and New Zealand must sit the General Training test.

IELTS has a rigorous, quality-assured system for marking every IELTS test.

Marking is carried out by trained examiners who follow standardised guidelines. The examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are certificated by Cambridge ESOL. Each examiner is tested every two years to retain their certification. They are also involved in ongoing training.

The IELTS integrated system of recruitment, training, benchmarking, certification and monitoring for IELTS examiners ensures they are fully qualified, experienced and effective.

For more detailed information, see the Stakeholder Guide (PDF, 598KB) or Score processing, reporting and interpretation.

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Candidates are graded on their performance, using scores from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The results from the four parts then produce an Overall Band Score.

This unique 9-band system measures scores in a consistent manner – wherever and whenever the test is taken. It is internationally recognised and understood, giving you a reliable international currency. IELTS scores are valid for two years.

The IELTS 9-band scale

Each band corresponds to a level of English competence. All parts of the test and the Overall Band Score can be reported in whole and half bands, eg 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0.

Band 9: Expert user: has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Band 8: Very good user: has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Band 7: Good user: has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Band 6: Competent user: has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Band 5: Modest user: has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Band 4: Limited user: basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Band 3: Extremely limited user: conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 2: Intermittent user: no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Band 1: Non-user: essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Band 0: Did not attempt the test: No assessable information provided.

For more information, see the Stakeholder Guide (PDF, 598KB) or IELTS Scores Explained DVD.

IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English.

Candidates receive scores on a Band Score from 1 (Non User) to 9 (Expert User). Candidates receive a score for each test component – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score.

See the IELTS band scores above for an explanation of each band. Also see How do institutions set their IELTS requirements?

IELTS Scores Explained DVD

For an in-depth explanation of IELTS scores, institutions can order the IELTS Scores Explained DVD. It contains:

 information about IELTS

 a detailed description of the content of the test

 sample test materials

 examples of candidates’ Writing and Speaking performance at different band levels.

The DVD will be helpful for organisations that use IELTS, as well as course designers, teachers and anyone who needs to understand how IELTS scores relate to language ability.

Click here to order the IELTS Scores Explained DVD.

To help institutions and other organisations better understand and use IELTS results, the IELTS Test Partners hold individual seminars.

If your institution is interested in an IELTS seminar, please fill in the enquiry form. The provision of seminars is dependent on country, location, seminar numbers and IELTS staffing.