What is IELTS

IELTS stands for “International English Language Testing System”.  It’s a system for testing the language ability for people who need to study or work in an environment where English is the language of communication. It is jointly managed by Cambridge English Language Assessment, the British Council and IDP Education.  It was established in 1989 and is one of the two major English-language tests in the world (TOEFL being the other).

IELTS is accepted by most British, Canadian, Australian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions.  Over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States and various professional organisations across the world also accept IELTS. It is now a requirement for people wishing to immigrate to Australia and New Zealand and is also accepted by immigration authorities in Canada.

Why are there two versions of IELTS (Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS)?

The IELTS Academic format is for people who want to study or train in an English-speaking university or Institution of Higher and Further Education. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of the Academic test. IELTS Academic may also be a requirement to join a professional organisation in an English-speaking country.

The General Training format of the test is typically for school, work or migration.  The General Training format focuses on general 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.

Every organisation sets its own entry requirements. In some cases both versions of IELTS may be accepted. For more information about who accepts IELTS and what version you will need to sit, visit www.ielts.org and search ‘Who accepts IELTS?’
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What is an IELTS band score?

Your IELTS band score will be given to you as a number between 0 (Did not attempt the test) and 9 (Expert User).  A band score is not always expressed as a whole number but may be something like 6.5 or 7.5.  You will receive a band score in each of the 4 modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.  Your four scores will be averaged to arrive at an Overall Band Score.  Your goal is to achieve as high an Overall Band Score as possible. 

There is not a pass or fail measure in the IELTS test, but you will have a target band score that you are aiming to achieve.   The band scores you will need to achieve will depend on your purpose for sitting the IELTS, so be sure you check with your educational institution of choice or your local immigration lawyer for your specific requirements.

What is an IELTS band score?

Your IELTS band score will be given to you as a number between 0 (Did not attempt the test) and 9 (Expert User).  A band score is not always expressed as a whole number but may be something like 6.5 or 7.5.  You will receive a band score in each of the 4 modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.  Your four scores will be averaged to arrive at an Overall Band Score.  Your goal is to achieve as high an Overall Band Score as possible. 

There is not a pass or fail measure in the IELTS test, but you will have a target band score that you are aiming to achieve.   The band scores you will need to achieve will depend on your purpose for sitting the IELTS, so be sure you check with your educational institution of choice or your local immigration lawyer for your specific requirements.

What is an IELTS band score?

Your IELTS band score will be given to you as a number between 0 (Did not attempt the test) and 9 (Expert User).  A band score is not always expressed as a whole number but may be something like 6.5 or 7.5.  You will receive a band score in each of the 4 modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.  Your four scores will be averaged to arrive at an Overall Band Score.  Your goal is to achieve as high an Overall Band Score as possible. 

There is not a pass or fail measure in the IELTS test, but you will have a target band score that you are aiming to achieve.   The band scores you will need to achieve will depend on your purpose for sitting the IELTS, so be sure you check with your educational institution of choice or your local immigration lawyer for your specific require