IELTS is available in two test formats: Academic or General Training. There are four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. The distinction between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training lies in the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components. Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. The order in which these tests are taken may vary. The Speaking test will either be after a break on the same day as the other three tests, or up to a week before or after the other tests. This will depend on your test centre.
How we develop the test:
IELTS has rigorous test design, development and validation processes. These processes ensure that every version of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty and every test around the world provides valid, consistent results. IELTS test material is developed using the following stages: commissioning; editing; pretesting; analysis and banking of material; standards fixing; and question paper construction.
Test writers from different English-speaking countries develop IELTS content so it reflects real-life situations around the world. It is unbiased and fair to all test takers whatever their background.
Calculating the overall band score:
A score is given for each test component Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.
IELTS results validity period. While it is up to each organization to set a validity period that works for their purposes, the IELTS partners recommend a 2-year validity period for IELTS test results based upon the well-documented phenomenon of second language loss or 'attrition.
Ensuring quality and fairness:
The IELTS approach is recognised as being fair to all test takers, whatever their nationality, cultural background, gender or special needs. offers a choice of two types, to serve both academic and non-academic purposes features a one-on-one, face-to-face speaking component accepts all standard varieties of native-speaker English, including North American, British, Australian and New Zealand English ensures test questions are extensively trialled with people from different cultures to confirm they are appropriate and fair.
Test security:
Multi-layered security measures A strict set of protocols are in place to safeguard every aspect of the IELTS test. These include tight regulations surrounding test papers biometric test taker registration systems training of test centre staff to help them ide ntify imposters, detect fraudulent behaviour and prevent cheating strict test conditions routine scrutiny of test results before release.
This multi-layered approach to test security also includes a probity process for prospective test centres and strict protocols surrounding test centre operations and audits. The IELTS partners also work closely with relevant authorities, including migration and law enforcement agencies around the world, to detect, prevent, identify and, where appropriate, prosecute any cheating or fraud attempt in accordance with local jurisdictions.
Verifying IELTS scores The online IELTS test results verification service allows organizations to quickly and securely verify whether any Test Report Form received from applicants is genuine. By cross-checking the information on the form against the IELTS database, organizations are able to verify that the result presented to them is genuine.
Organisations accepting IELTS results can rely on the security features of the IELTS Test Report Form. These features include security-enhanced paper authenticated by an IELTS validation stamp and a high-resolution photograph of the test taker.Where organizations find that a result presented to them does not match the result stored in the verification service, they are advised to contact the IELTS partners so that the matter can be investigated.
Organisations which use IELTS are strongly encouraged to verify every result presented to them as an additional safeguard against the presentation of fraudulent documents. Vigilant organizations are using the Test Report Form verification service more than 30 times a day during busy enrolment periods.
The Writing component of IELTS Academic includes two tasks. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
Task1:
You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
Task2:
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
Speaking( 11–14 minutes):
The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is recorded. The Speaking component is delivered in such a way that it does not allow people to rehearse set responses beforehand.
Part1:
The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
Part2:
You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.
Part3:
You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
General Training Reading (60 minutes):
The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The General Training version requires test takers to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
Listening (30 minutes):
The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The General Training version requires test takers to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
Section1:
A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
Section2:
A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
Section3:
A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
Section4:
A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.
Academic Reading (60 minutes):
The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The Academic version includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.