IELTS EXAM
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of people who want to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is recognised and accepted by over 9,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, employers, professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
Preparing for your test
Make sure you are ready to demonstrate your English
Familiarise yourself with the format of the test by reading this booklet. If you would like more information about the format of the test and the question types used, you can find the test specifications at www.ielts.org/testtakers.
Practice using sample questions from www.ielts.org/samples.
Consider doing a practice test. Two volumes of Official IELTS Practice Materials are available for purchase from test centres or at www.ielts.org/testtakers. These materials include a full practice test with answers, and sample Writing and Speaking performances with examiner comments.
Consider enrolling in a preparation course to improve your performance in the test. IELTS test centres and language schools around the world offer IELTS preparation courses. More information is available from:
www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts
www.ieltsessentials.com/prepare
www.cambridgeenglish.org/ielts
Know the IELTS rules and regulations
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the IELTS rules and regulations. These are laid out in the Notice to Candidates and Declaration which are included in the application form. When you sign the application form declaration, or agree to the terms online, you are confirming that you have read and understood the IELTS rules and regulations and agree to abide by them.
Register as soon as possible
When you feel you are ready to take the test, you need to register for a test date with an IELTS centre. Contact the centre as soon as possible, as the number of test takers who can take the test on a particular date may be limited. You will need to pay the test fee when you register.
Tell your centre if you have special requirements
In order to ensure that the language ability of all test takers is assessed fairly and objectively, IELTS provides a comprehensive service for test takers who have special requirements, including specific learning difficulties, hearing difficulties and visual difficulties.
If you require a modified version of the test, for example a Large Print or Braille version, you must give the test centre three months’ notice. This notice period is necessary for the modified test version to be prepared. If your circumstances require special administrative arrangements to be made, for example if you need extra time or you need to use access technology such as a screen reader, you must give the test centre six weeks’ notice. Please contact your test centre to discuss your requirements. Any special arrangements agreed are in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
Test Format
There are two modules to choose from – Academic and General Training.
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration.
IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is for test takers wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.
Each organisation sets its own entry requirements. In some cases both Academic or General Training may be accepted. If you are in doubt as to which to take, you should contact the organisation you are applying to in order to check their requirements.
You are tested on all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking, unless you have an exemption due to a disability (see section on special requirements). Everyone takes the same Listening and Speaking tests. There are different Reading and Writing tests for IELTS Academic and General Training.
The Listening, Reading and Writing tests must be completed on the same day. The order in which these tests are taken may vary. There are no breaks between these three tests. The Speaking test may be taken up to seven days before or after the other three tests. Diagram Here
