What is IELTS?

About the IELTS test

IELTS measures the language proficiency of people who want to live, study or work where English is used as a language of communication.

Why take IELTS?

Key benefits of IELTS

Widely recognised

IELTS is accepted by more government agencies, educational institutions, and professional bodies than any other English-language test.

See who recognises IELTS

All levels

There is no such thing as a pass or fail in IELTS. Results are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).

See how IELTS is scored

Fast results

Your results will be made available to you 13 days after your Paper-based test (or 3-5 days after for Computer-delivered tests).

Choose the right test for you

Academic or General Training

The right version for you will depend on your work, study or migration goals.

Paper-based or computer-delivered

Both tests are to be taken from the Test Centre venue, but you can choose between a paper or computer-delivered format.

Did you know?

Who designs and develops the IELTS test?

IELTS has been developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment, and is supported by an extensive programme of research, validation and test development.

Who owns IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is jointly owned and managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.

What version of English does IELTS test for?

IELTS is internationally focused in its content. For example, texts and tasks are sourced from publications from all over the English-speaking world; a range of native-speaker accents (North American, Australian, New Zealand, British etc.) are used in the Listening test; and all standard varieties of English are accepted in test takers’ written and spoken responses.

Did you know?

IELTS was the first test to examine all four areas of English Language skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.