Test Structure

IELTS tests the candidates in areas of Listening, Writing, Reading and speaking.

IELTS Listening: This is a test of listening comprehension in the context of general language proficiency. The test is in four sections. The first two sections are concerned with social needs, while the last two are concerned with situations more closely related to educational or training contexts. Texts include both monologues and dialogues between two or three people, and are heard once only. A variety of question types are used for the forty items, including multiple choice, short-answer questions, notes/summary/flow chart completion, sentence completion, labelling a diagram and matching.

IELTS Speaking: The Speaking module is a structured interview with an emphasis on general speaking skills. It assesses whether candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers of English.

IELTS Reading: Candidates take either the Academic or the General Training Reading module. The Academic Reading module consists of texts of general interest dealing with issues which are appropriate for, and accessible to, candidates entering postgraduate or undergraduate courses. The texts of the General Training Reading module draw on social and training contexts or deal with general interest topics.

Both Reading modules consist of three passages or sections with forty questions. Question types include multiple choice, sentence or summary completion, identifying data for short-answer questions, matching lists or phrases and identifying writers’ views/attitudes.

IELTS Writing: Candidates take either the Academic or the General Training Writing module. Appropriate responses for the Academic Writing module are short essays or general reports, addressed to tutors or to an educated non-specialist audience. The General Training Writing module requires candidates to write personal semi-formal or formal correspondence, or to write on a given topic as part of a simulated class assignment.

What kind of accents can be heard in the Listening and Speaking tests?

As IELTS is an international test, a variety of English accents are used in both of these examinations.

Test Fees

IELTS Test Fees According to Countries:

IELTS Test Fee: Rupee 7,200
(From January 2007)

IELTS Test Fee: PKR 7,700*

IELTS Test Fee: Tk 7,900

Australian College of Business & Technology - Test Centre

IELTS Test Fee: RPS 13,000*

British Council Colombo- IELTS Test Fee: Rs. 10,000

British Council Kandy- IELTS Test Fee: Rs 11,500/=

Afghanistan- IELTS Test Fee: $100.00

IELTS Test Fee: $140.00

IELTS Test Fee: GBP 90.00

IELTS Test Fee: AUD$240

IELTS Test Fee: S$280

What happens if a candidate loses their Test Report Form?

At any time within two years of the date of the examination, a candidate can apply to the centre which administered the test to be sent 5 copies of the original Test Report Form free of charge. These Test Report Forms will not be sent to the candidates themselves, but the universities abroad, Embassy and Consulate. For any further copies, there is an administration charge per copy. Please contact your test centre for further details.

Application Procedure

1. An IELTS application form
2. Two recent passport sized photographs
3. A copy of your passport or national ID card (original must also be presented)
4. A copy of your recent IELTS test score if you have taken the test before

You should apply for the test at least five weeks in advance. However, applications may be accepted after the deadline if the candidate list is not closed.

FOR INDIANS

IELTS Test Registration: 

Option A - 
Register online and pay the test fee by Credit Card (Master / VISA)

This is the most convenient way to register, as it allows you to register at your convenience. Get immediate seat confirmation... no waiting. You must have a valid Credit card with you to avail the online booking facility.

Procedure

1. Log on to www.IELTSIndia.com from your home, office, cyber cafe, your training institute etc.
2. Select the option "Apply on-line"
3. Select your test date (you will see the seat availability status)
4. Fill the on-line form
5. Pay the test fee by credit card (Master / Visa)
6. Get instant seat booking and acknowledgement

Important

You MUST bring the following along with you on the day of the test

• 2, recent photographs, passport sized (please write your Name and Passport number on the reverse of your Photo)
• Photocopy of your Passport (first 3 pages), AND any observation pages.

Failing which you will NOT be allowed to sit the test.

• Once your registration is complete you will see a confirmation on your computer screen (you must print and bring this on the day of the test). A copy of the confirmation will also be sent on the E-mail ID provided by you at the time of filing the application form. In case you had provided your Mobile Phone number, you will also receive a SMS alert

Option B -
Register by Courier and pay test fee by Demand Draft

Procedure

Download the application form. Alternately, collect the application form, from the nearest Test Centre office, Training Institute, Agent or Input Node.

• Complete the application form
• Sign the application form and the Test terms and conditions sheet attached to the form
• Attach 2 recent photographs, passport sized (write your Passport number and your Name on the reverse of the Photo)
• Attach Photocopy of your Passport (first 3 pages) AND any observation pages
• Attach the Demand Draft for the test fee (demand draft must be drawn in favour of "IELTS India Project, Payable at New Delhi")
• Send the completed application form with all attachments and the test fee to;

IDP : IELTS Australia Test Centre - Planet EDU

101, Greenwood Plaza, Greenwood City, Sector 45, Gurgaon - 122001, Haryana
The application will be processed upon receipt and the seat allotment for your selected date will be subject to availability

Examination Fee

• Rs. 7,200/- payable by demand draft drawn in favour of "IELTS India Project", payable at New Delhi
• Rs. 7,400/- payable Credit card or Debit card (at test centre offices / input nodes)

IELTS Syllabus

IELTS Listening:

This is a test of listening comprehension in the context of general language proficiency. The test is in four sections. The first two sections are concerned with social needs, while the last two are concerned with situations more closely related to educational or training contexts. Texts include both monologues and dialogues between two or three people, and are heard once only. A variety of question types are used for the forty items, including multiple choice, short-answer questions, notes/summary/flow chart completion, sentence completion, labelling a diagram and matching.

IELTS Speaking:

The Speaking module is a structured interview with an emphasis on general speaking skills. It assesses whether candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers of English.

IELTS Reading:

Candidates take either the Academic or the General Training Reading module. The Academic Reading module consists of texts of general interest dealing with issues which are appropriate for, and accessible to, candidates entering postgraduate or undergraduate courses. The texts of the General Training Reading module draw on social and training contexts or deal with general interest topics.

Both Reading modules consist of three passages or sections with forty questions. Question types include multiple choice, sentence or summary completion, identifying data for short-answer questions, matching lists or phrases and identifying writers’ views/attitudes.

IELTS Writing:

Candidates take either the Academic or the General Training Writing module. Appropriate responses for the Academic Writing module are short essays or general reports, addressed to tutors or to an educated non-specialist audience. The General Training Writing module requires candidates to write personal semi-formal or formal correspondence, or to write on a given topic as part of a simulated class assignment.

There are two compulsory tasks. Task 1 requires at least 150 words and Task 2, the more heavily weighted, requires at least 250 words. In Task 1, Academic Writing module candidates are asked to look at a diagram, table or data and to present the information in their own words. Candidates taking the General Training Writing module are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter in Task 1. In Task 2, all candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem and asked to provide general factual information, outline and/or present a solution, justify an opinion, and evaluate ideas and evidence.

Retaking IELTS

How soon can I repeat the test?

There is no limitation on how frequently candidates can sit IELTS. It should be noted however that IELTS scores are not substantially improved merely by taking the test on multiple occasions. To significantly improve a score it is necessary to engage in further study of a serious nature.

How many times can I take the test?

You may re-take the test as many times as you wish. 

Can I take the test again if I'm rejected because I presented a fake identity document?

No, you can't take the test again. You will be banned from taking IELTS in future.

Can I take the test again if it was discovered that I asked somebody else to do the test for me, or took the test for somebody else?

No, you can't take the test again. You will be banned from taking IELTS in future.

Can a candidate retest only for the module where he / she did not score well instead of repeating the whole test ?

IELTS provides a profile of a candidate's English proficiency at a given time. It provides not only an indication of ability in a particular module but also an indication of overall ability. This would not be possible if modules were not taken at the same time. Stakeholders require an indication of proficiency at a given time. Stakeholders have expressed a preference for full re-testing to gain an accurate assessment of a candidate's language proficiency. 

What happens if a candidate is absent on the day of the test without giving prior notice?

The candidate will lose their full test fee. However, if a medical certificate is provided within 5 days of the test date then the full fee is refunded minus a local administrative deduction.

What happens if a candidate is delayed by circumstances beyond their control (e.g. a transportation strike)?

The test centre offers the candidate an alternative test date as soon as possible.

What happens if a candidate wants to postpone or cancel their application?

Candidates who request a postponement or cancellation of their test within 5 weeks of the test date will normally be charged the full fee unless they are able to provide appropriate medical evidence to support their request within 5 days of the test date.