Focus
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. Over 3.5 million tests are taken each year.
FOUNDATIONS · Theory
What is IELTS?
Theory lesson in Understanding IELTS
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# What is IELTS?
01
Section
Two Versions
| IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | University admission, professional registration | Immigration, secondary education, work experience |
| Listening | Same | Same |
| Reading | Academic texts | Everyday English texts |
| Writing | Graphs/charts + essay | Letter + essay |
| Speaking | Same | Same |
02
Section
Test Format
The test has 4 sections completed over approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes:
- Listening — 30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time
- Reading — 60 minutes
- Writing — 60 minutes
- Speaking — 11–14 minutes (may be on a different day)
03
Section
Scoring
Each section is scored on a Band scale of 0–9 in half-band increments (e.g., 6.5, 7.0). Your Overall Band Score is the average of all four sections, rounded to the nearest half band.
04
Section
Key Facts
- Results are valid for 2 years
- You can retake the test as many times as you want
- Computer-delivered and paper-based formats are available
- Speaking is always face-to-face with an examiner
- There is no pass or fail — institutions set their own score requirements