IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely used English tests in the world. Universities, employers and immigration authorities use it to check how well you can use English in real situations.
Academic or General Training?
Academic: for university study and some professional registrations.
General Training: for work, training and migration.
Listening and Speaking are the same in both versions. Reading and Writing are different.
How the test works
Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on the same day, one after the other, with no breaks. Speaking is a face-to-face conversation with an examiner, on the same day or within about a week before or after.
Scores
You receive a band score from 0 to 9 for each skill, plus an overall band score. Check the score required by your university, employer or visa programme before you start preparing.