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What is IELTS?

Find out what you need to know about the IELTS test.

Test types

  • list?.image?.titleIELTS Academic: for higher education or professional registration
  • list?.image?.titleIELTS General Training: for migration, work, or secondary studies

Ways to take the test

  • list?.image?.titleIELTS on paper: answer on paper using a pencil or pen
  • list?.image?.titleIELTS on computer: type your answers on a keyboard

Test sections

  • list?.image?.titleListening
  • list?.image?.titleReading
  • list?.image?.titleWriting
  • list?.image?.titleSpeaking

Results

  • list?.image?.titleIELTS on paper test: 13 calendar days after the test
  • list?.image?.titleIELTS on computer test: results typically within one day
  • list?.image?.titleYou will receive a Test Report Form (TRF) as official results of your IELTS test
  • list?.image?.titleYour TRF can either be in paper form or electronic/online results (eTRF)

Scoring

  • list?.image?.titleThe IELTS test is scored on a 9-band scale ranging from 0 to 9
  • list?.image?.titleIELTS gives band scores as whole or half band scores
  • list?.image?.titleYou will get a band score for each test section and an overall band score for the entire test
  • list?.image?.titleThe overall band score is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band

Acceptance

  • list?.image?.titleIELTS results are accepted for study, work, and migration
  • list?.image?.titleIELTS is accepted by more than 12,500 organisations in over 150 countries worldwide
  • list?.image?.titleIELTS is the only major English test to offer One Skill Retake, which is accepted by more than 1,200 organisations worldwide
list?.image?.media?.titleBook your IELTS test
list?.image?.media?.titlePrepare for your IELTS test

Do you have questions about IELTS? Find the answers right here.

If you want to know more about IELTS, you're in the correct place. See below for the frequently asked questions about the world's most popular English test.

Ask IELTS

undefinedWho can take IELTS?
undefined How can I book an IELTS test?
undefinedWhat to expect on the test day?
undefinedWhen can I get my test results?
undefinedCan I reschedule or cancel the test?
undefinedWhich IELTS test should I take?

undefinedWhere is IELTS One Skill Retake available?
undefinedHow to book IELTS One Skill Retake?
undefinedHow do you get your IELTS One Skill Retake results?
undefinedWho accepts IELTS One Skill Retake?

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