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IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It is the world’s number one English language test, taken by over 1,5 million people every year from across the world.
Since 1989, IELTS has been proven and trusted worldwide to provide a secure, global, authentic and customer-focussed test which is a reliable indicator of a candidate’s ability to communicate in English.
IELTS has been developed by the British Council in partnership with IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL on the strength of forty years of research.
To find out more about the test structure, scores and rules, please download Information for Candidates (pdf)
WHY TAKE IELTS?
Taking an IELTS test will help to open doors to international education and employment all over the globe. Moreover, candidates with high scores are particularly sought after by universities and employers in English-speaking countries.
IELTS tests are guaranteed to show your true ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking, in a way that is relevant to the real world.
WORLD RECOGNITION
Over 8,000 institutions all over the world, including 3,000 US universitiesk, institutions and programmes recognise IELTS .The list of US universities includes all Ivy League Colleges. Find out more on ielts.org/usa
IELTS is also used as proof of your language ability for immigration purposes.
The UK Border Agency has announced that skilled workers can use IELTS results for the new UK points-based immigration system.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, New Zealand Immigration Service and Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and National Council of State Boards of Nursing USA already recognise or require applicants to hold an IELTS test.
In Italy many universities recognise IELTS for educational purposes (e.g. total or partial exemption from English examinations or internal tests).
TEST STRUCTURE
IELTS AND THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK
IELTS is recognized by the Council of Europe. The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) provides a basis for the mutual recognition of language qualifications, thus facilitating educational and occupational mobility.
| CEFR Levels |
A1 |
A2 |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
| IELTS score |
(2.5-3.0) |
3.5-4.0 |
4.5-5.0 |
5.5–6.5 |
7.0-7.5 |
8.0–9.0 |
| CESOL * |
- |
KET |
PET |
FCE |
CAE |
CPE |
Generally Universities require B1 or B2 for undergraduate admission and B2 or C1 for postgraduate, however those levels may vary depending on the target institution.
RESULTS
Results are issued 13 calendar days after the test. Candidates can check their score here.
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