IELTS is an international standardized examination of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers. It was founded in 1989 and is handled in collaboration by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. Most Australian, British, Canadian, and New Zealand academic institutions, as well as over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States and many professional organizations around the world, accept IELTS.

Characteristics of IELTS

IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are designed to accommodate all levels of proficiency, from novice to expert. Test takers who desire to study at a tertiary level in an English-speaking country or seek professional registration should take the Academic version. Test takers who intend to work, train, study at a secondary school, or migrate to an English-speaking country should take the General Training edition.

• IELTS assesses your ability to communicate in English through listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
• The speaking module is an important part of the IELTS exam. It takes the shape of a one-on-one conversation with an examiner. As the test taker speaks, the examiner evaluates him or her. The speaking session is also videotaped for monitoring and re-marking in the event of a score appeal.
• In order to reduce linguistic prejudice, test materials included a diversity of accents and writing styles. The accents in the listening part are predominantly British, Australian, and New Zealander, with a small percentage of others (mostly American).

Modules

The IELTS consists of two modules:

• Modules for Academics and
• General Training

The IELTS test has four components.

1. 30 minutes of listening time (plus 10 minutes for the transfer)
2. 60 minutes reading

• 60 minutes composing

1. 11–14 minutes for speaking

The test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.