IELTS: syllabus, pattern, fees, scores and preparation
International English Language Testing System, run by British Council, IDP and Cambridge. Used for university admission, uk visas (ukvi), work and migration in the uk, australia, canada and new zealand.
What the IELTS is
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a english proficiency test run by British Council, IDP and Cambridge. It is used for university admission, uk visas (ukvi), work and migration in the uk, australia, canada and new zealand.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking |
| Duration | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Score range | Band 0 to 9 in half-band steps |
| Fee | About £215 in the UK, INR 18,000 in India, varies by country |
| Results | 3 to 5 days (computer), 13 days (paper) |
| Validity | 2 years |
| Formats | Academic, General Training, UKVI, Life Skills, IELTS Online |
Types of IELTS
IELTS Academic
For university admission and professional registration. Reading and Writing use academic texts and tasks.
IELTS General Training
For migration and work. Everyday texts and a letter-writing task.
IELTS for UKVI
The same test taken at a UKVI-approved centre, needed for some UK visa routes such as pre-sessional English and below-degree courses.
Who can take it
No minimum qualification. Test takers should be 16 or older. A valid passport is the only identity document accepted at most centres.
Not sure which test your course accepts?
Requirements differ by university and by visa route. We check before you book.
Talk to a counsellorSyllabus
| Section | What it tests | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 recordings: a conversation, a monologue, an academic discussion and a lecture | 40 | 30 minutes plus 10 to transfer (paper) |
| Reading | 3 long passages (Academic) or several shorter texts (General) | 40 | 60 minutes |
| Writing | Task 1: describe a chart or write a letter (150 words); Task 2: essay (250 words) | 2 | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | Face-to-face interview in 3 parts: introduction, cue card talk, discussion | 3 parts | 11 to 14 minutes |
Exam pattern
Listening, Reading and Writing are taken in one sitting with no breaks. Speaking is a face-to-face or video interview with a trained examiner, scheduled up to a week either side. Computer-delivered IELTS offers more dates and faster results; content and scoring are identical.
How to register
- Choose Academic or General Training based on what your university or visa requires
- Book online through the British Council or IDP, choosing computer or paper and a centre
- Pay the fee and upload a passport copy; the same passport must be brought on test day
- Prepare with the free official practice materials and at least two timed mock tests
- Sit the test; check results online and send Test Report Forms to up to five institutions free
Scores explained
| Score | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | Full operational command of the language |
| 8 | Very good user | Occasional inaccuracies in unfamiliar situations |
| 7 | Good user | Operational command with occasional errors; the typical requirement for competitive UK master's and health programmes |
| 6.5 | Competent to good | The most common requirement for UK, Irish and Australian postgraduate study |
| 6 | Competent user | Typical requirement for undergraduate study and many master's |
| 5.5 | Modest user | Accepted for foundation and pre-sessional courses |
| 5 and below | Limited user | Pre-sessional English required |
Sit it once, with coaching
Small-group courses with weekly mock tests and one-to-one feedback.
See IELTS classesHow to prepare
- Start with a diagnostic mock test to find your weakest band and study that first
- Practise Writing Task 2 essays under time and get them marked; this is where most students lose half a band
- Read a broadsheet newspaper article every day and summarise it in one paragraph
- Record yourself answering Part 2 cue cards for two minutes without stopping
- Learn the question types in Listening and Reading; technique alone lifts scores by a band
Books and resources
- The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: Skills lessons plus eight practice tests with answer explanations.
- Cambridge IELTS 16 to 20: Genuine past papers; the best measure of your real band.
- IELTS Trainer 2: Six full tests with step-by-step guidance on the first two.
Detailed guides
IELTS exam pattern
How the four sections are structured, timed and marked, with what to expect on test day.
IELTS syllabus
The skills, question types and topics tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS eligibility
Who can take IELTS, age limits, identity documents and how often you can sit it.
IELTS fees and dates
Test fees by country, how to book, cancellation and transfer rules.
IELTS score guide
How bands are calculated, what each band means and what universities ask for.
IELTS Speaking test
The three parts, typical questions, cue card technique and how examiners mark fluency.
IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2
Chart descriptions, letters and essays: structure, word counts and band descriptors.
IELTS Academic vs General Training
Which version you need and how the Reading and Writing sections differ.
What is IELTS for UKVI?
When UK visa applications require the UKVI version and how it differs.
IELTS preparation plan
A four-week and an eight-week study plan with daily tasks.
Questions about the IELTS
Which IELTS should I take for a UK university?
IELTS Academic for degree-level study. IELTS for UKVI Academic only if your university or visa route requires it, typically for pre-sessional English or below-degree courses.
What is a good IELTS score?
6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 satisfies most universities. Health, law and teaching programmes ask for 7.0.
How long are IELTS results valid?
Two years from the test date. Universities usually require the score to be valid on the course start date.
Can I study in the UK without IELTS?
Many universities accept Medium of Instruction letters, school English marks or alternatives like PTE and Duolingo. Check each course.
How many times can I take IELTS?
As many as you like. Results from different sittings cannot be combined.
Is computer-delivered IELTS easier?
The content and marking are identical. Some students prefer typing the essay; results arrive faster.
How much does IELTS cost?
Roughly £215 in the UK, INR 18,000 in India, NGN 270,000 in Nigeria and PKR 60,000 in Pakistan; fees change each year.
Can I get a remark?
Yes, an Enquiry on Results within six weeks, refunded if your band changes.
What is IELTS One Skill Retake?
In some countries you can retake one section within 60 days of the original test and keep the other three scores.
Fees, formats and dates are as published by British Council, IDP and Cambridge for 2025/26 and change; confirm on the official site before booking.
Preparing for the IELTS?
Tell us your target score and date. We match you with coaching or point you to the free resources that work.