Overview
Applicants to English-taught programmes and, for some countries, student-visa applicants. Check whether your target programme and visa route need IELTS Academic, IELTS for UKVI, or another variant.
Acceptance: Accepted by very many universities worldwide; some visa routes require a specific, officially approved version. Always confirm with the university and the immigration authority.
Format and scoring
Listening
Four recorded sections with questions of different types.
Reading
Three long academic-style texts with a range of question types.
Writing
Two tasks: describing visual information and writing an argumentative essay.
Speaking
A face-to-face interview with an examiner in three parts.
Scoring
Each skill and the overall result are reported on a 0–9 band scale (half bands allowed). Universities usually set an overall minimum and sometimes a minimum per skill.
Preparation
- Take an official practice test first to see your starting level.
- Practise Writing Task 2 with a clear structure and get feedback.
- Listen to varied accents and practise note-taking.
- Practise speaking aloud for 2 minutes on a topic without notes.
Test day
- Bring the same ID you used to register.
- Arrive early; Speaking may be on a different time or day than the other parts.
- Follow the centre's rules about phones and personal items.
Frequently asked questions
Test format, scoring, fees and dates can change. Always check the official test website and the tests your target university accepts before registering.