Standardized test for language proficiency of non-native English speakers.
Exam Details
- Owner/Creator
- British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English (Cambridge Assessment English)
- Provider/Administrator
- British Council, IDP, Cambridge Assessment English
- Official Website(s)
- https://ielts.org/
https://ielts.idp.com/ - Exam Types
- IELTS Academic - university, immigration
IELTS General Training - professional associations, employers, immigration bodies, schools, and colleges
IELTS UKVI (Academic & General) - for UK Visa and immigration, for work
IELTS Life Skills - mostly for immigration, max B1 - Structure
- Listening: 4 sections, 40 items (30 min + 10 min transfer time)
Reading: 3 sections, 40 items (60 min)
Writing: 2 tasks (60 min)
Speaking: Interview (11–14 min)
Total: around 2 hours 45 min - Format
- Paper-based,
Computer-based,
Online (for Academic only) - Results Time
- Paper-based: 13 days;
Computer-based: 3–5 days;
Online: 6–8 days - Scoring System
- Band scale from 1.0 (non-user) to 9.0 (expert), each section has a separate band + overall band
- Certificate Format
- Paper Test Report Form (TRF);
Digital TRF available for some institutions - Certificate Validity
- 2 years
- How to Verify Certificate
- Online for institutions, https://ielts.org/organisations/ielts-for-organisations/verifying-ielts-results
- Certificate Authenticity Features
- QR code or TRF number
- Academic Use
- Worldwide, usually Europe, Canada, Australia, UK (USA prefers TOEFL)
- Immigration Use
- Accepted by Australia, UK (as UKVI), Canada, New Zealand, and increasingly in the USA
- Available in Ukraine
- YES, only online during war
- Available in Gulf Countries
- YES, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
- Can Be a Test Center
- YES, https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/accreditation/information-centres/application
- Center Requirements
- https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/self-evaluation_examples_dec_2024.pdf
Secure location, soundproof speaking rooms, certified invigilators, backup systems, etc - Docs & Photos Needed
- Floor plan, photos of rooms, equipment list, license or business registration, staffing list, etc
- Application Process
- 1. Submit expression of interest to IDP or British Council
2. Provide required documentation and photos
3. Site inspection and approval
4. Staff training
5. Signing of agreement - Contact Info for Setup
- accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org
- Phone Numbers
- 38 044-350-0755 - British Council Ukraine
380442382038 - IDP IELTS Ukraine
1800-102-4544 - IDP India
44 (0)161 884 0291 - British Council UK Customer Service
600 529 995 - British Council UAE
971 269 10639 - British Council UAE, whatsapp (messages only) - General Emails
- info@britishcouncil.org.ua - British Council Ukraine
idpieltsaustralia@idp.com - general email?
appeals.ielts@idp.com - to appeal a decidion IDP
globaloperations.iol@britishcouncil.org - appeals related to IELTS tests taken at British Council authorized centers or for IELTS Online
information@ae.britishcouncil.org - British Council UAE
KSAinfo@sa.britishcouncil.org - British Council SA
info@qa.britishcouncil.org - British Council Qatar
info@kw.britishcouncil.org - British Council Kuwait
bc.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.bh - British Council Bahrain
bc.muscat@om.britishcouncil.org - British Council Oman
ielts.abudhabi@idp.com - IDP IELTS Abu Dhabi
