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The IELTS FAQ section tries to answer all the questions candidates/test-takers might be wondering about. We really appreciate your visit to the IELTS FAQ section.
Q. What is IELTS?
Answer: IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The IELTS exam is designed to assess the English proficiency of a candidate who wants to study or get some sort of training programme in a college or university or wants to migrate to an English-speaking county. IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s English proficiency and the profile contains an indication of a candidate’s ability in a particular module as well as an indication of overall ability.
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
For you, the IELTS score is proof of your English proficiency in general. IELTS is recognised worldwide and that’s why if you have a good IELTS score, you can use this test result as proof of your proficiency in handling English as a second language. If you want to migrate to a country where English is spoken or want to get enrolled in a college or university, the IELTS test result speaks for your English Language skills.
Q. What is the meaning of IELTS?
Answer: IELTS means or stands for “International English Language Testing System”. This test is accepted by more than 10,000 institutions and many immigration authorities around the world. Anyone can take this test and the test result reflects his/her proficiency in the English language.
The unique 9-band scoring system of the IELTS test measures performance in a consistent manner, wherever and whenever the test is taken. The IELTS test is internationally recognised.
When you apply to get admission to a college or university or want to get a PR or residency in a country where English is widely spoken, you need to prove that you have the required English language skills. You take IELTS to show that you have the expected skills in English.
Q. What is the purpose of the IELTS test?
Answer: The purpose of the IELTS exam is to test the candidates’ ability to handle the English language who want to study or work in a country where English is the language of communication. IELTS result is also necessary for immigration purposes.
Each year millions of people take the IELTS exam to achieve a score that would prove their English language proficiency. IELTS is one of the most widely accepted international exams. The IELTS exam is available for students and immigration applicants to demonstrate their English language proficiency for specific purposes.
Not necessarily you will be allowed admission to a foreign university, or get a visa to live there only because of your IELTS score. It is not the only requirement, but one of the many requirements. But the college/university you are going to apply to, or the immigration authority of the country where you would like to migrate, will ask for proof of your English skills and your IELTS score serves this purpose just fine.
Q. Who owns the IELTS test?
Answer: IELTS is owned and administered jointly by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. These organisations set the exam standard, maintain the IELTS exam, monitor the standard, review and change the exam format and everything related to the IELTS exam.
Q. Who writes the IELTS test questions?
Answer: International teams of writers affiliated with the IELTS Authority contribute to IELTS test materials. Ongoing research ensures that IELTS remains fair and unbiased. IELTS test writers are from different English-speaking countries and they develop IELTS content. So it reflects real-life situations.
Q. Why should I take IELTS when there are other standardised tests available?
Answer: You should take IELTS because it is the most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. IELTS test results are widely accepted by many international organisations, immigration authorities, colleges and universities, multinational companies, government agencies, and professional bodies who may or may not accept the test results of other English Language Tests. With your IELTS test score, you have global acceptance.
Q. Which countries accept IELTS Score?
Answer: IELTS is accepted as a standardised international language test system for English language proficiency by a whole range of institutions. These include the majority of all educational establishments operating in English in Australia, Canada, the UK and New Zealand. The US educational institutions are also now starting to use it. Many international immigration services, as well as various professional organisations including the British and Australian Medical Councils and the UK Ministry of Defence, also use and accept the IELTS.
In most countries where university courses are offered in English or people speak English to communicate, an IELTS score is accepted as proof of your English proficiency. Many European countries where English is not the first or even the second language would ask for an IELTS test score to accept admission to a university or college that offers courses in English.
Simply consider the fact that IELTS is a test that demonstrates a candidate’s English proficiency and this exam and its score is accepted worldwide wherever you need to show proof of your English proficiency level.
Q. Which organisations accept IELTS?
Answer: IELTS test result is accepted by more than 12,000 organisations worldwide. These organisations include universities, immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies. Since IELTS is the most widely accepted English Language test in the world, it is the number one choice for students and migration seekers’ when it comes to taking a language test to demonstrate someone’s English skills.
Q. Does the USA accept IELTS?
Answer: Yes, despite a common myth that the USA does not accept IELTS scores, the fact is that they do. Over 3,600 institutions and programmes in the USA accept IELTS scores as proof of English language skills. The minimum score requirement in IELTS might vary from 6.5 to 9.0 depending on the university and major but you are reassured that you can apply to many universities in the USA with your valid IELTS score.
Q. What is computer-based or computer-delivered IELTS?
Answer: The computer-based version of IELTS is an alternative to the paper-and-pencil-based IELTS exam. This test is also called Computer-delivered IELTS and this format has been introduced recently. You can sit for any of the two types. However, computer-delivered IELTS is available at selected centres and test centres only. To find out if your nearby test centre offers the Computer-delivered IELTS, you will need to contact them.
The Reading, Writing and Listening modules in Computer-delivered IELTS are conducted using a computer but the speaking module would still be administered the way it had been, i.e. face-to-face interview session with an examiner. The Test Report Form, content, timing and structure of the test is the same whether you take the test on paper or on a computer.
In the computer-delivered Listening test, the timings are slightly different from the paper-based test. This is because the paper-based test requires users to transfer answers to an answer sheet. This step becomes redundant when answering directly on a computer.
Q. Do I need good computer skills to take the computer-delivered IELTS test?
Answer: You do not need any special computer skills to take a computer-delivered IELTS test. If you can type on a keyboard and do some very basic computer-related tasks, you can take the test. Please note that a QWERTY keyboard is used for the test. The computer-delivered test is designed for people with average typing speed, so don’t worry if your typing speed is not fast enough.
Q. Can I make notes if I take the computer-delivered IELTS?
Answer: Yes, the computer-delivered IELTS provides a ‘note-taking’ and ‘highlight’ function that you can use for that purpose.
Q. How much does it cost to take IELTS?
Answer: The cost of the IELTS exam is not fixed. It is set by test centres. Fees may vary depending on the country and test centre. On average, the cost is approximately £170 GBP/ €210 Euros/ $225–265 USD both for the Academic and GT module. You can find the exact fees from the official IELTS website by locating your nearby test centre from https://www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-a-test-location
Q. Can IELTS be an alternative to TOEFL?
Answer: The answer is “YES” and “NO”. Both IELTS and TOEFL are designed to evaluate the test-takers’ English language skills for academic and communication purposes. Though the exam formats of these two exams are similar, there are a few differences as well. You can take either TOEFL or IELTS if the college or university you are going to apply accepts either one. If they have any strict requirements for TOEFL, your IELTS score won’t be accepted. But in practice, most colleges, universities and immigration authorities accept both of these exams.
It is commonly known that the USA universities prefer a TOEFL score whereas European and other universities accept IELTS. But recently the USA has agreed to recognise IELTS and accept either IELTS or TOEFL for admission purposes and hence they will accept both test results. However, there are still some institutes and universities that want a TOEFL score and do not accept IELTS. For an updated list of universities that accept IELTS, please visit https://www.ielts.org/
To be on the safe side, double-check with your university or immigration authority before taking an exam.
Q. In which countries IELTS exam is taken?
Answer: The IELTS test is taken every year across 140 countries and the number is growing each year. It is not far away when all the countries in the world would have IELTS test centres. To find the complete list click on « IELTS CENTERS ». It is one of the fastest-growing English language tests in the world and sets the standard in integrity, research and innovation and that’s why candidates from all around the globe are taking this exam.
Q. Can a native English speaker take the IELTS exam?
Answer: Yes, a candidate who speaks English as their first language can take the IELTS exam. There is no restriction imposed on that.
If you are a native English speaker and studied your previous degrees from institutions where English was used as part of the academic practice, you can be exempted to supply the IETLS score to the intended university/ college or in immigration offices. Contact the university or college you are going to get admitted to or contact the immigration office to be sure if you need this test to prove your English skill or not.
Q. Does the IELTS test differ in various parts of the world?
Answer: IELTS is a global standard test. It does not assess candidates from different geographical locations differently. However, the questions may vary depending on the test locations or centres. But the IELTS authority strictly maintains the standard and questions format in all locations. You are likely to get a different question set for a different geographic location but the standard of the questions, test and evaluation would be the same.
There are some misconceptions that certain test centres’ exams are easy compared to others, a native examiner would be hard to convince in the speaking exam and so on. But don’t worry about these misconceptions and strictly focus on your exam preparation.
Q. Can I get a better score at an IELTS test centre than at others?
Answer: Absolutely NOT! IELTS officials use many means to ensure the standardisation of Band Scores throughout the world. Of course, it could be true that taking IELTS in an English-speaking country is beneficial, but only because you are being exposed to English every day not because taking the test there would give you any privilege regarding the exam.
IELTS questions, tests and result standards are strictly maintained all over the world. Focus on your preparation and improve your English skill, and you will get a high band score from your nearby test centre.
Q. What is the IELTS Life Skills test?
Answer: IELTS Life Skills is a test for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Levels A1, A2 or B1. This test assesses whether a candidate has the required speaking and listening skills to meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.
To learn more about the IELTS Life Skills Test visit:
IELTS Life Skills test results are available within a week of the test. You will not be assigned any band score for this test and get one of two results- Pass or Fail. A ‘pass’ means you can use the result for your visa application and a ‘fail’ means that you have not been successful in the test and your test cannot be used for your UK visa application.
Q. Who is the IELTS Life Skills test for?
Answer: The IELTS Like Skills test is designed for people who want to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). If you are applying for a “family of a settled person” visa or “indefinite leave to remain or citizenship in the UK” visa, this test is for you.
Q. Which organisations, apart from universities, accept IELTS?
Answer: Immigration departments, government agencies, professional bodies and multinational companies accept IELTS. Every time you need to prove your proficiency in the English language, you can use the IELTS result.
Q. Do I need to know about a specific subject or have special academic knowledge to take the IELTS test?
Answer: The IELTS test measures the language proficiency of test-takers who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. And as part of this assessment, it examines candidates’ abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking sections. All these tests cover a range of subjects within the item contents, but no specialized knowledge or academic knowledge, in particular, is required to take the IELTS test.
Q. Do I have to take IELTS in my home country?
Answer: No, there is no such rule. You can register and take the IELTS test anywhere in the world. But for that, you need a valid passport.
