The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardised English language test designed for foreign speakers who wish to study, work and live in an English-speaking environment. The IELTS language certificate can open doors to international academic and professional opportunities in many institutions and places in the world where English is used.
Established in 1989, IELTS has become the most popular high-stakes English-language certificatein the world. There are currently around 1,000 test locations in more than 100 countries, carrying out over three million tests each year. Over 11,500 organisations worldwide accept the certificate as a proof of proficiency in the English language.
IELTS is jointly owned and managed by the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment and IDP Education Australia. IELTS testing materials are written by international teams of writers from different English-speaking countries, so the content reflects real-life situations. The Speaking part of the IELTS test is a one-to-one assessment with a real person, not with a computer. You will thus have conversations with an examiner who can effectively evaluate your language skills, without being distracted by other candidates or technical problems.
Types of IELTS Tests
There are currently three versions of the IELTS test: Academic, General Training and Life Skills. These differ in content and address different target groups.
After the examination, you will be given a total score in whole or half bands, e.g. 6.5 or 8.0. Essentially, band 1 indicates non-speakers, while band score 9 means an expert level of competence. Band 6 corresponds to a ’competent user’, who generally has an effective command of the English language. IELTS Life Skills has only two possible results: pass/fail.
Universities, colleges, governments and employers around the world require different levels of English depending on their profile and objectives. It is therefore very important to check what test score you need before taking one of the IELTS exams. The IELTS Academic and General Training test scores are valid for two years from the day you receive your results. Similarly, a candidate who has passed an IELTS Life Skills A1 or Life Skills B1 test cannot retake the exam within two years. If you do not pass, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.