Are you planning to study or train abroad? Are you applying to an institution and need to prove your level of English? Do you need to raise your standard in English? Then we can help you with an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

What kind of test is IELTS?

IELTS assesses if you are ready to study or train in English. It tests your ability to read, write, speak and listen in academic or general training contexts.

It is recognised by most British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, and increasingly by American academic institutions and is accepted by many professional organisations.

The IELTS certificates have been nationalised free of charge since the beginning of 2009. Due to the international success of the IELTS exam, we thought that our candidates should also be able to use their IETLS certificates not only abroad but also in Hungary.

You can read more about the benefits of the Hungarian nationalised certificate here.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking test. Your purpose for taking IELTS determines whether you select the Academic or the General Training Reading and Writing tests. Please check with the particular institution to which you are applying to establish the required module and score.

The table below indicates the IELTS band scores we would expect to be achieved at a particular CEF (Common European Framework) level.

			C2 - 7.5 +
			C1 - 6.5 / 7.0
			B2 - 5.0 / 5.5 / 6.0
			B1 - 3.5 / 4.0 / 4.5
			A2 - 3.0

Do you need the General or the Academic module?

			The Academic module is usually suitable for those seeking admission to tertiary, undergraduate and postgraduate courses and for professional registration (United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and United States of America).
			The General Training module is suitable for those who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, or to gain work experience not at degree level, and also for immigration purposes (Australia and Canada).

How to apply

			an IELTS application form (download it here in pdf format)
			two recent passport sized photographs
			a copy of your passport or national ID card
			a copy of your recent IELTS test score if you have taken the test before.

You should apply for the test at least five weeks in advance. However, applications may be accepted after the deadline if the candidate list is not closed. Please note that we can only accept complete applications.

Please send your application by post, or alternatively, scan the documents and send it by e-mail. Our office is not open to the public, so you cannot submit your application in person.

			Postal address British Council, 1075 Budapest, Madách Imre út 13-14., B. épület, 4. emelet
			E-mail address: exams@britishcouncil.hu

Costs

The test fee is HUF 44,000. The fee should be paid by bank transfer.

			Please send the test fee to the following bank account: Citibank Zrt. 10800007-77237006-00000000 Account holder: British Council Hungary Address: 1075 Budapest, Madách Imre út 13-14. For bank transfers from abroad, you will need the following data: Address of Citibank Zrt.:1051 Budapest, Szabadság tér 7., IBAN code: HU46 1080 0007 7723 7006 0000 0000, SWIFT code: CITIHUHX
			Make sure you indicate the date and the module of the test e.g. IELTS 6 December 2008 AC (for Academic) or GT (for General Training module)
			Payment via bank transfer should happen on the week of the registration and a copy of the bank's confirmation of transfer should be sent to exams@britishcouncil.hu or can be faxed to (+36 1) 342 5728 as evidence of the transaction.

Results

Test results (Test Report Forms) are issued 13 days after the exam day. One copy of the certificate will be sent to you by post. We cannot reveal the results over the telephone or by email/fax, but the new IELTS Results Service website allows you to view their results online on the 13th day of the test.

If there are receiving institutions listed on your application form, we will send, free of charge, up to 5 copies of your Test Report Form directly to them.

It is recommended that the candidate's language ability be re-assessed after two years from the date of the test.

How to prepare for the test

For individual preparation download free sample tests from the IELTS website. From Autumn 2007 the English Teaching Centre of the British Council will not offer preparation courses for IELTS.

CALC Language School offers IELTS ‘Academic’ and ‘General‘ exam preparation courses in Budapest for students of all levels with experienced teachers with special attention to students’ individual language needs.

Exam dates in 2009

Exam dates in 2010

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