IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by IDP: IELTS Australia, British Council and Cambridge English Language Assessment. IELTS is one of the major English-language tests in the world to measure the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
IELTS is available in two test versions: Academic - for people applying for higher education and General Training - for those migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK. The IELTS test assesses your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking modules. Listening and Speaking are the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take. The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Speaking component, however, can be scheduled up to a week before or after the other tests. A band score is given for each test component – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score. The IELTS partners recommend a 2-year validity period for IELTS test results (TRF).
IELTS Academic
The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. The IELTS Academic test is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and also for professional registration purposes. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where English language is used, and reflects some of the features of language used in academic study. This approach is widely supported by the institutions that recognize IELTS. This test is accepted as evidence of English language proficiency for study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA and the UK.
IELTS General Training
The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.