The test has four parts covering all four language skills:
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Listening (30 minutes) |
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Reading (60 minutes) |
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Writing (60 minutes) |
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Speaking (11–14 minutes) |
The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. IELTS free online test samples are available.
The first three parts are completed in one day, while the speaking part may be taken on the same day or in the period of seven days before or after the other parts.
All candidates are given a report on their English language ability which gives them a band score according to a scale of 0 to 9 – from non-user to expert user. The report contains five scores, one for each of the modules and an overall score. The results are valid for two years.
IELTS and other Cambridge ESOL examinations are linked to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF).
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