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If you have dreams of studying abroad, one of the eligibility criteria at almost all universities is language proficiency. There are several English language tests available, but when it comes to university entry requirements, IELTS is the most requested and accepted in many countries.
The International English Language Testing System, more commonly known as IELTS, has existed for over 30 years and is trusted by thousands of organisations globally. In the last year, over four million IELTS tests were booked.
Designed and owned by IDP in partnership with the British Council and Cambridge English, IELTS tests your English skills across listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It provides you with a standardised score on a 9-band scale that is valid for two years.
In India (2024), the fee for the computer-delivered and paper-based IELTS tests is INR 17,000.
Why take the IELTS exam?
As an international student, your visa conditions and most universities require that you demonstrate your English language proficiency.
In the world’s top study destinations (UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), IELTS is accepted by over 12,500 organisations. This makes it a popular choice with students who can use their score across all their applications and do not have to sit several tests for different institutions.
Students can opt to sit the IELTS Academic test or the IELTS General Training test. The Academic test is typically more appropriate for university students and those pursuing professional training. The General Training test is appropriate for those looking to travel for work experience or a training programme.
IELTS boasts 4,000 test centres in 140 countries, making it extremely convenient to find somewhere nearby to sit the exam. It can be completed on paper or a computer.
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What are the different IELTS modules?
The IELTS test consists of four modules, also known as sections or skills:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are taken in that order, one after the other, in the same sitting. There are no breaks between these tests. The Speaking test may be held on the same day or may occur up to seven days before or after, depending on the test centre.
You will receive an individual score for each skill and an overall score. All scores are on the same 9-point scale.
It is common for universities to request that students achieve a minimum overall score and a minimum score for any one skill. For example, a common entry requirement is an IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual skill score lower than 6.0.
For the IELTS Academic exam, you can expect the tests to occur in the following format:
Listening (30 minutes)
Questions relate to four pre-recorded monologues and dialogues. You will hear each recording once. Questions are designed to test your understanding of the main themes and the details of what the speakers have discussed.
Reading (60 minutes)
40 questions related to three texts. Questions vary in type and theme and are designed to test a range of reading skills, from a general understanding to detailed comprehension.
Writing (60 minutes)
Two tasks test your ability to explain and argue in writing. The first task presents a graph, table, chart, or diagram, requiring you to explain the data in your own words (minimum 150 words). The second task is an essay question, in which you must respond to a perspective or argument (minimum 250 words).
Speaking (11-14 minutes)
The Speaking test occurs in a quiet room with an examiner. In the first part of the test, you will answer general questions about yourself. In the second part, you get a topic to talk about, and in the third part, you will answer questions about the topic you discussed in part two.
For the IELTS General Training exam, the Reading and Writing test format varies slightly.
Do you know what each IELTS band score means? Click on the link to read our article.
Steps to prepare for the IELTS exam
There are several ways you can prepare for your IELTS exam to make sure things go as smoothly as possible on the day. We suggest allowing yourself three to six months to prepare for the test.
1. Understand your goals
Before you book the test, it’s worth understanding what the English language requirements are at your preferred university. If you think these might be difficult to achieve, consider taking additional English lessons or looking at one or two institutions with lower eligibility criteria as a backup plan.
Many universities require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, which equates to a high B2 level on the CEFR scale.
2. Expose yourself to English
Idioms are a great place to start! Get to know some idioms for IELTS Speaking. |
Practising for your exam does not have to follow strict exam formats. Research has shown that gentle but continuous exposure to language is extremely beneficial in the language-learning process. Here are some suggestions for how to learn English in your day-to-day life.
- Listening: Listen to English radio stations and podcasts or watch TV shows and films. You can use subtitles if it helps. Alternatively, try practising your English through conversations with friends, as this will help your listening and speaking skills.
- Top tip: Try to expose yourself to many English-speaking accents (e.g. British, American, Australian, and Canadian).
- Reading: Expose yourself to a range of reading styles. Consider English books, magazines, newspapers, and journals. Don’t just stick to fact; fiction can help reading comprehension.
- Top tip: Practice absorbing as much information as possible in a short time, as the Reading test is where many people feel time pressure.
- Writing: Write emails and letters in English or attempt different writing styles such as journalism, fiction, or academic articles. Pen pals can be a great way to practise your written English.
- Top tip: Practise writing in the formal style required by the test.
- Speaking: Practise speaking in conversations with friends, and don’t shy away from opportunities to speak English to native speakers, for example, when making travel plans.
- Top tip: Focus on your pronunciation rather than your accent.
3. Purchase study guides
There are a range of study guides available to help prepare you for the IELTS exam, including official preparation resources, which you can access for free from IELTS directly. These will give you an idea of what areas to focus on, how the test papers are formatted, how to structure your answers and provide sample answers for your benefit.
4. Practise in exam conditions
Once you feel confident with the questions you will face in the exam, practise regularly under exam conditions, without your books or any distractions. It’s a good idea to time yourself carefully, as many people find time pressure to be one of the hardest parts of the exam.
What IELTS preparation resources are available?
IELTS provides several official preparation resources to help students get ready for the test. These materials explain the content and layout of the test, but also the case of the computer exam, help prepare students for using the technology.
IELTS preparation materials are free and can be reused as many times as you need. Resources include:
- Official sample tests in both paper and computer format
- Computer test practice experience
- Explanatory videos
You might also be interested in websites that offer IELTS mock tests.
IELTS One Skill Retake
If you do not achieve your desired score in one section of the test, rather than retake the entire IELTS exam, it is now possible to retake a single module (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking).
The IELTS One Skill Retake is available in test centres across many countries, including India, and can be taken up to 60 days after your original test day. Prices vary between test centres.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in March 2019 by our content writer, Gayathri Gopakumar. We have since revised it to include up-to-date information and ensure its comprehensiveness.