IELTS or the International Language Testing System exam is designed to test your ability to communicate in English in university, academic and professional settings. The IELTS exam score is recognised across educational institutions, offices, professional bodies and government in over 140 countries by more than 11,500 organisations. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
IELTS test designed for working professionals or students who want to pursue higher education at universities or institutes abroad.
IELTS Academic test gauges the test taker's English proficiency for an academic setting such as a university or training institute and evaluates your readiness for the same. You may also take IELTS Academic for professional registration purposes.
The Reading and Writing sections of IELTS Academic differ from that of IELTS General in terms of both format (specifically the Writing section) and difficulty.
IELTS test designed for people applying for a visa to migrate for work experience, training programs, or secondary education.
IELTS General Training is for you if you wish to move to an English-speaking country for work and immigration or to study below degree level courses (including high school/ college/ vocational programs).
It tests your English language proficiency in a more hands-on and everyday context. It has four sections- Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, two of which (Listening and Speaking) are the same as IELTS Academic in terms of format and difficulty. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The IELTS Exam tests you in 4 key areas of the English language-
| S. No. | Section Name | Duration | No. of questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Listening | 30 minutes | 40 MCQs |
| 2 | Reading | 60 minutes | 40 MCQs |
| 3 | Writing | 60 minutes | 40 MCQs |
| 4 | Speaking | 11-14 minutes | 3 parts |
The four section of the IELTS exam include:
You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and answer the questions based on those recordings.
Reading skills including gist, main idea, details, logic, skimming and discerning the writer’s attitude and intentions are assessed.
You are required to complete two IELTS writing tasks on topics of general interest based on the module you have chosen.
The IELTS Speaking section is recorded and conducted in three parts and is used to assess your spoken English skills.
Registration dates vary by test center and test type. Please check the official IELTS website or your local test center for the most accurate and up-to-date information.