IELTS is trusted and recognised all over the world. It is accepted by educational institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA and in Europe, as well as many other countries as evidence of the required language skills. Many other organisations around the world use IELTS scores for a range of purposes, including immigration, recruitment, professional registration and entry to training courses. It is a prerequisite when applying for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

You can search for recognising organisations with the Global Recognition System, an interactive tool designed to help you find educational institutions, professional organisations, employers and government agencies around the world that recognise IELTS.

There are two IELTS modules which candidates can choose from: the Academic or the General Training Module.

The Academic module is recommended for candidates who want to pursue under- or postgraduate studies. It tests whether a candidate is ready to follow an undergraduate or postgraduate course through the medium of English. Almost all universities in the UK, the USA and other countries require from their international students to have IELTS Academic Module certificate.

The General Training module is not intended to test the full range of language skills required for academic purposes. The emphasis is on basic skills that are used in a broad social and educational context. It is most suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries (e.g. to complete their secondary education, undertake work or for immigration purposes).

Most candidates prepare using self-study materials.

In addition, IELTS Specimen Materials Packs with CD can be purchased from the British Council at 40.00KM. The pack includes a full practice test with answer key so you can gain experience in the format of the test and get an idea of your level.

The material has been produced according to Cambridge ESOL's Question Paper Production cycle and is the only preparation resource that is endorsed by all three IELTS partners.

LEARN ENGLISH PROFESSIONALS - This specialised British Council website provides online preparation and practice for those who want to take IELTS exam. The IELTS practice is available for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking parts checking your vocabulary and grammar.

Learn English website is available at www.britishcouncil.org/professionals.

After you register, you will be given access to the new online self-preparation service offered by the British Council, called Road to IELTS.

You can try some free sample questions online. These sample questions will give you an idea of what to expect in the Reading, Writing and Speaking modules.

You can also order the new Top Tips for IELTS preparation materials from Cambridge ESOL.

The test is currently administered in Sarajevo only.

To register for IELTS test you will need to submit the following documents, either by post or in person:

			completed application form
			two recent passport-size photographs Candidates registering after 1 January 2010 must not wear glasses in the photographs they submit for IELTS registration.
			proof of payment
			photocopy of the identification document stated in the application form (ID card or passport) NOTE: this same identification document has to be brought to the test.

Please make sure that you download all important documents, including:

• Information for Candidates
• Notice to Candidates
• IELTS Handbook

Each IELTS session has a limited number of places and the place is offered to applicants on a first come first served basis. We can only guarantee a place in the exam after we have received your complete application.

IELTS exam structure chart can be found here

An invitation letter or email specifying the time and place of the test will be sent to candidates one week before the test date. Speaking part of the IELTS test may sometimes take place up to seven days before or after the date of the written part of the test. If this is the case, you will be informed in the invitation letter / email.

Occasionally, the centres will have spare copies of the test papers and may be able to register candidate even after the registration period has passed. In this case we will need to receive your application form and the proof of payment no later than four days before the test date. For administrative reasons the centres are not in a position to accept registrations passed this deadline.

You can bring all documentation to our office - we are open Monday to Thursday 14.00 - 16.00. You can also send it by post to the following address:

British Council
Examinations Services

Ljubljanska 9
71000 Sarajevo

Your registration is only valid upon payment of the fee. Currently, the only method of payment available in BiH is via bank transfer or postal order. The following are sample payment forms:

			IELTS preparation pack
			IELTS test registration
			Additional copies of test results

Please note that, in case of incomplete payment, your registration will be cancelled on the last day of the registration period without notification.

The test starts at 09.00 and candidates need to be present at the venue specified in the invitation letter no later than 0830. You will need to have your identification document with at all times as you will be required to present it at admission to each stage of the test. The following is an indication of a likely schedule on the day of your test:

			Arrival and registration		0830 – 0845
			Listening part		0900 – 0940
			Reading part		0950 – 1050
			Writing part		1100 – 1200
			Speaking part		from 1300 onwards (allow for 13–15 minutes per candidate)

The first three parts are completed in one day, while the speaking part may be take in the period of seven days before or after the other parts.

Results are issued thirteen days after the test date. Please note that in order to ensure confidentiality of your personal data we will not be able to release your results or any part of your score either over the phone or email.

Scores are recorded on a Test Report Form (TRF) showing overall ability as well as performance in each sub-test. Only one TRF will be issued per candidate, which can be collected personally or sent to the candidate’s address as stated on the application form. Alternatively you may wish to  access you results on-line where they will be posted directly. Please note that the only official notification of the candidate's result is the printed TRF and the centre is not responsible for any errors relating to web release.

Up to five additional copies of the TRF may further be sent to institutions specified in application form (e.g. immigration bodies or universities).

It is possible to obtain further copies of TRF at 10.00KM per copy. Candidates requiring additional copies of their TRF will need to complete Additional TRF Form and send it to British Council, Ljubljanska 9, 71000 Sarajevo along with a photocopy of the identification document stated in the original application form and a proof of payment.

The IELTS test result is valid for 2 years. However, some universities or organisations may have their own regulations concerning the period of validity.

Chart below illustrates how the IELTS band scores compare with the Common European Framework levels and other University of Cambridge ESOL exams:

Please note that the IELTS scores referred to in the table are the overall scores and not the individual module scores

Candidates may cancel their registration or transfer test dates during the registration period.

Candidates who seek to cancel their registration after the registration period will only receive a refund if they can demonstrate to the administrator that their ability to sit the test has been affected by illness or serious cause. Serious causes include:

			Serious illness – e.g. hospital admission or serious injury (does not include minor illness such as a mild cold)
			Loss or bereavement death of a close family member
			Hardship / trauma (victim of crime, victim of traffic accident)
			Military service

Evidence of illness or serious cause must be provided within 5 days of the test date. The medical certificate needs to have a diagnosis written in local language and translated in English.

Candidates who seek to transfer their dates after the registration period will be granted transfer at the discretion of the administrator and subject to availability of places on theirpreferred test date.

If you are not satisfied with your results, you can apply for an Enquiry on Results procedure at the centre at which you took the test. You must do this within six weeks after the test date. There is a standard fee for this which is fully refunded if your score changes. You need to submit the Enquiry on Results form and the Test Report Form (TRF). The request is forwarded by post to British Council London and the scores are available after 6-8 weeks.

If you have queries or complaints about the way the exam is organised, please contact a supervisor or the British Council representative at the venue immediately after the end of the paper or exam. Any complaints raised afterwards will not be taken into consideration.

For more information please email us.

Test centres make every effort to cater for candidates with special needs, to enable them to best understand questions and tasks and to give their answers. It is our aim for the language level of all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you require a modified version of the test, e.g. Braille, you must give the test centre three months’ notice. This notice period is necessary for the modified test version to be prepared. If your circumstances require special administrative arrangements only to be made, e.g. extra time, you must give the test centre six weeks’ notice.

Your request must be supported by original medical documentation not older than 2 years and with a diagnosis written in English or Latin.

Full details of these arrangements are given at www.ielts.org.

The British Council and the Examining Boards take all reasonable steps to provide continuity of service. We feel sure you will understand, however, that we cannot be held responsible for any interruptions caused by circumstances beyond our control. If examinations or their results are disrupted, cancelled or delayed, every effort will be made to resume normal service as soon as possible. The British Council’s liability will be limited to the refund of the registration fee or re-testing at a later date.