Summary:
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the world’s most widely recognized English language proficiency exams. It is used by universities, employers, and governments in English-speaking countries to evaluate the English skills of non-native speakers in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
What Is the IELTS?
The IELTS is a standardized English-language test designed to assess the language ability of people who want to study, work, or live in countries where English is the primary language. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English. IELTS scores are accepted by over 11,000 institutions worldwide, including most universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand.
The IELTS is particularly popular among students applying to universities in the UK or Commonwealth countries, but it is also accepted by many U.S. colleges as an alternative to TOEFL or Duolingo English Test.
Types of IELTS
There are two main types of IELTS:
- IELTS Academic – for students applying to universities or professional registration
- IELTS General Training – for immigration or work in English-speaking countries
Most students applying for undergraduate or graduate study take the IELTS Academic version.
Test Format and Scoring
The IELTS tests four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The entire test takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and is offered in two formats: on paper or on computer (both must be taken in a test center).
- Listening (30 minutes) – Includes four recorded conversations or lectures
- Reading (60 minutes) – Three academic passages with questions
- Writing (60 minutes) – Two tasks: one data description (e.g., graph/chart) and one essay
- Speaking (11–14 minutes) – A face-to-face interview with an examiner, including personal questions and a short speech
Each section is scored from 1 to 9, and the final band score is the average of all four. Most universities require a score between 6.0 and 7.5 for admission.
Why Take the IELTS?
The IELTS is required or recommended by many UK, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand universities, as well as many in the United States. It is also used for student visa applications, immigration, and professional certification in countries like the UK and Canada.
One of IELTS’s strengths is its speaking section, which is done face-to-face with a trained examiner. This format is considered more realistic and personal compared to computer-based speaking tests like TOEFL or DET.
IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. DET
- IELTS is most commonly used for UK, Australian, and Canadian institutions. It includes a live speaking test, which some students find easier than recording answers online.
- TOEFL is more common in the United States and is entirely computer-based.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) is cheaper and taken at home, but not accepted by all schools.
Students should choose the test based on the requirements of their target universities and their own comfort with the format.
Registration and Availability
The IELTS is offered multiple times each month in test centers worldwide, including major cities in China. Students can register online through the IELTS official websites (British Council or IDP), select a nearby location, and choose a paper-based or computer-based format. Test results are typically available in 3 to 5 days (for computer tests) or 13 days(for paper tests).