International English Language Testing System
Acronym | IELTS
Type | Standardised test. Available in 2 modules: "Academic", "General training". The IELTS test partners also offer IELTS Life Skills, a speaking and listening test used for UK Visas and Immigration.
Developer / administrator | British Council, IDP Education, Cambridge Assessment English.
Knowledge / skills tested | Listening, reading, writing and speaking of the English language.
Purpose | To assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers.
Year started | 1980; 39 years ago (1980)
Duration | Listening: 40 minutes (including the 10-minute transfer time), Reading: 60 minutes, Writing: 60 minutes, Speaking: 11–14 minutes. Total: 2 hours, 55 minutes.
Score / grade range | 0 to 9, in 0.5 band increments.
Score / grade validity | 2 years
Offered | Up to 4 times a month. Up to 48 times a year.
Countries / regions | More than 1,200 test centres in over 140 countries
Languages | English
Prerequisites / eligibility criteria | No official prerequisite. Intended for non-native English speakers.
Fee | To find out the test fee in local currency, use the IELTS Worldwide search to identify a local centre.
Scores / grades used by | More than 10,000 colleges, agencies and other institutions in over 140 countries
Website | www.ielts.org