What Is IELTS? The Test Explained

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System source: ielts.org. It tests your English for study, work or migration source: British Council. It began in 1980 as "ELTS". The IELTS International partnership was formed in 1989 source: ielts.org.

You take it to show an organisation how well you use English. That might be a university, an employer or a government office. Your result is a set of band scores, not a certificate of passing.

Who owns and runs IELTS?

Three organisations own IELTS together: the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment source: ielts.org. You can book the test with the British Council source: British Council or with IDP source: IDP.

What does the test cover?

IELTS has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Speaking and Listening are the same on both main versions of the test. Reading and Writing are different source: ielts.org.

On computer, the Listening, Reading and Writing questions appear on the screen and you type your answers. Speaking is a session with a trained examiner source: ielts.org.

The Academic test takes 2 hours 45 minutes in total source: ielts.org. IELTS test format and timing goes through each section, including the answer sheet on General Training.

Which versions of IELTS are there?

There are two main versions. IELTS Academic is for undergraduate or postgraduate study, or for professional registration such as doctors and nurses source: ielts.org. IELTS General Training is for migrating to an English-speaking country, or for training or study below degree level source: ielts.org.

IELTS for UKVI is a version of the test for UK visa applications source: ielts.org. The organisation asking for your score decides which version you need. Start with IELTS versions explained, then see Academic or General Training.

How is IELTS scored?

You get a band from 0 to 9 for each section, and an overall band. Scores come in whole and half bands. The overall band is the average of the four section bands, rounded to the nearest half band source: ielts.org.

An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band. One ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band. For example, sections of 6.5, 6.5, 5.0 and 7.0 average 6.25, so the overall band is 6.5. Band 6 is described as Competent, band 7 as Good, band 8 as Very good and band 9 as Expert source: ielts.org.

Listening has 40 questions, and each correct answer is 1 mark. Those marks are converted to a band source: ielts.org. IELTS band scores explained shows how the bands work in each section.

Is there a pass mark?

No. There is no pass or fail in IELTS source: Cambridge. That holds for Academic and General Training. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores source: IDP.

One test is the exception. IELTS for UKVI Life Skills gives a pass or fail result source: IDP.

Instead of asking whether you passed, ask whether you reached the score your organisation wants. Is IELTS hard? covers how to think about that.

How long does a result last?

The recommended validity is two years after the test. Organisations that accept IELTS can choose to accept results for longer, so check with them directly source: ielts.org.

How do you take IELTS?

There are three ways to take IELTS. One is on a computer at an official test centre. In selected countries you can choose Writing on Paper, where you handwrite the Writing tasks. The third is IELTS Online source: ielts.org.

IELTS Online is for the Academic test only, in some countries. You take it at home, and Speaking is a video call with an examiner. Results take 1 to 5 days on computer and 6 to 8 days online source: ielts.org.

IELTS announced that from mid-2026 it would stop offering the paper-based test. Timing varies by market source: ielts.org. Check what your test centre offers. Computer or paper explains the differences.

Where to go next

If you are new to IELTS, read the guides in this section in order. Next is why people take IELTS, then who accepts it. When you are ready to book, see fees, booking and registration.

To start on one skill, go to Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking.

All facts on this page were checked on the IELTS owners' pages on 27 October 2026.