IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It is a test that measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

Since 1989, IELTS has been proven and trusted worldwide to provide a secure, global, authentic and customer-focused test which measures true life ability to communicate in English. Over 7,000 educational institutions, government agencies and professional organisations across 135 countries around the world (including the United States) recognise IELTS scores as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.

With over 1.7 million tests taken in 2011, IELTS is one of the fastest growing English language tests in the world and sets the standard in integrity, research and innovation.

Both IELTS and Cambridge exams have international recognition, but each institution and country has different requirements. This is why our first piece of advice, if you have a very specific purpose for sitting the exam, is to check out the required level for your purpose. The websites where you can do this are www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts and www.cambridgeesol.org.

Watch a video about the IELTS test

Differences between IELTS and Cambridge

IELTS

			your English level is graded on a scale from 1 to 9; there are no “pass” and “fail” ratings;
			it is recommended if you want to study or work abroad in the near future (within no more than 2 years);
			you can sit the exam every month in Bucharest, twice a year in Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara and yearly in Brasov
			the result is delivered 13 days after the exam;
			it is recognised by over 3000 institutions in the USA (including the Ivy League universities).

CAMBRIDGE

			there are different Cambridge exams for different levels of English;
			the certificate is valid for a long time, as long as you can prove that you haven’t lost touch with the English language since the exam;
			you can take the exam frequently in Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara as well as in other cities;
			the result is released in 2 weeks to 4 weeks,depending on the exam format (computer or paper-based)