Students planning to pursue higher education abroad are often confused about selecting the right kind of IELTS test that can meet their educational or job requirements. The following sections will provide a detailed overview of different types of IELTS to help them make an informed choice.
Introduced in 1989, IELTS is one of the most renowned and widely accepted standardised English language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers. It is accepted in more than 11,000+ educational institutions, organisations and government agencies.
Candidates looking to study or work in any country with English as the primary medium of communication have to appear for this test. The IELTS test is conducted jointly by the British Council, IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English in over 140 countries across 1,600+ test centres. More than 3 million test-takers appeared for IELTS in 2017.
IELTS offers different types of exams to meet the specific needs of test-takers. The two types of IELTS exams are the Academic and General Training exams. The Academic IELTS exam is intended for individuals who wish to pursue higher education, while the General Training IELTS exam is for those who are seeking employment or immigration opportunities in English-speaking countries.
In addition to these two main types, IELTS also offers other specialized exams such as the IELTS Life Skills, which is designed for those who need to prove their speaking and listening skills for immigration purposes. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the different types of IELTS exams and their respective purposes.
Types of IELTS Test
Depending on the purpose of moving abroad, candidates can appear for any of the following types of IELTS tests:
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IELTS Academic test: This IELTS test is suitable for students who wish to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses in any of the English-speaking nations. The aim of this test is to determine if a student is ready to take up higher studies in English.
IELTS General Training Test: The General Training test is ideal for those who wish to move to Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand for secondary education or employment. It focuses on assessing basic survival skills in a workplace environment. The format and question pattern is almost the same for both. Each of the tests consists of four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
Candidates can expect various types of questions like MCQs, sentence completion, essay writing, letter writing, identifying data, matching lists and more. Candidates can choose the test type depending on their future plans and the institutions they are applying to. Apart from these, there are also other types of IELTS:
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IELTS for UKVI: Those planning to move to the UK have to take an IELTS that is approved by the UK government for UK Visa and Immigration purposes. The format, content, scoring pattern and everything remain the same.
However, the IELTS for UKVI follows some specific protocols to ascertain the authenticity of the candidates. The IELTS tests for UKVI are divided into the following types: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training and IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2, and B1). IELTS Life Skills are for those who are required to prove English listening and speaking skills for a UK Visa. Candidates can also appear for two types of IELTS based on the mode of examination. These are:
Computer-based Test: Starting in 2017, the computer-based IELTS test requires students to answer the Reading, Listening and Writing section tasks through the computer. The test result is delivered within 5-7 days of the test.
Paper-based Test: The paper-based IELTS comes with pencil and answer sheets. One has to deliver the task responses within the given time on the answer sheets. The Speaking section test usually takes place 7 days before or after the actual test date. It can take up to 13 days for the test results to be published.
IELTS Test Structure
The test pattern for the different types of IELTS like Academic and General Training is quite similar. Here is a tabular representation providing an overview of each of the test sections:
| Test Section | Description | Duration/ Question |
| Reading | It consists of three long passages. Students have to answer questions based on these passages. The text can be analytical, factual, descriptive or discursive with graphs and illustrations. | 60 minutes 40 questions |
| Writing | Candidates have to answer 2 tasks- a 150 words summary and a 250 words essay. They will be provided with illustrations, charts and graphs based on which they have to frame the responses. | 60 minutes 2 tasks |
| Speaking | It is a one-to-one interview with an IELTS examiner consisting of short questions, structured discussion and speaking on a provided topic. | 11-14 minutes 3 sections |
| Listening | Students have to answer questions on the basis of 4 pre-recorded audios. | 30 minutes 4 questions |
Scoring Pattern for IELTS
For the different types of IELTS, score band is calculated simply by finding out the average score of all four sections. IELTS score ranges between 0 and 9. In case the average score band comes out in decimal, it is shifted to the nearest whole number. For instance, if the overall score of a candidate is 6.75, they would receive a final score of 7.
The score of IELTS is provided in a Test Report Form. While candidates can view their results online, they are eligible to receive one TRF. However, they can send their TRFs to up to five universities as part of the admission application. Students need to score the minimum IELTS score to be eligible for admission to an institution. The minimum IELTS score requirement varies across universities. For example:
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average of four sections | Band score | |
| Test taker A | 6 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 6.375 | 6.5 |
| Test taker B | 8 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 7 | 7.75 | 8 |
Brief Guide on IELTS Registration Process and Charges
One needs to register for the different types of IELTS well in advance to secure a test date, location and time slot of preference. IELTS test registration can be done in any of the two ways: Online To register for IELTS online:
- Visit the official website of IELTS India.
- Click on ‘Register for IELTS’ and choose the preferred test type and test module.
- Choose the desired test location from the available list.
- Now, pick the date and time slot that is most convenient for you.
- Enter the necessary details and upload a scanned copy of the passport.
- Recheck the information and then proceed to pay the registration fee through a debit card or credit card.
Once done, candidates will receive an acknowledgement.
In-person
Candidates can also register by visiting the nearest branch office of IELTS India. They can either download the form online or collect it from the office.
The fees can be paid through demand draft, cash deposit at ICICI banks or by cards. The registration fee for IELTS Academic and General Training test is ₹16250, while the IELTS for UKVI would cost ₹16,250.
IELTS Test Dates for 2023
Students planning to sit for the different types of IELTS in the upcoming year can follow this section to learn about the IELTS test dates 2022.
January
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 7 January 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 14 January 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Thursday, 19 January 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 28 January 2023 |
February
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Saturday, 4 February 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 11 February 2023 |
| Academic only | Thursday, 16 February 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 25 February 2023 |
March
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Thursday, 2 March 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 11 March 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 18 March 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 25 March 2023 |
April
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 1 April 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 15 April 2023 |
| Academic only | Thursday, 20 April 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 29 April 2023 |
May
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Saturday, 6 May 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Thursday, 11 May 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 20 May 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 27 May 2023 |
June
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Saturday, 3 June 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 10 June 2023 |
| Academic only | Thursday, 15 June 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 24 June 2023 |
July
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Thursday, 6 July 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 15 July 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 22 July 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 29 July 2023 |
August
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Saturday, 5 August 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Thursday, 10 August 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 19 August 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 26 August 2023 |
September
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Saturday, 2 September 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 9 September 2023 |
| Academic only | Thursday, 14 September 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 23 September 2023 |
October
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 7 October 2023 |
| Academic only | Thursday, 12 October 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 21 October 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 28 October 2023 |
November
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic only | Saturday, 4 November 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Thursday, 9 November 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 18 November 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 25 November 2023 |
December
| Test Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 2 December 2023 |
| Academic only | Thursday, 7 December 2023 |
| Academic only | Saturday, 9 December 2023 |
| Academic and General Training | Saturday, 16 December 2023 |
Different types of IELTS tests are designed for candidates with different future plans, purposes and preferences. One must carefully weigh each option to make an informed decision that would align with their requirements.
For complete guidance on the different types of IELTS training and coaching, candidates can reach out to Leap Scholar’s IELTS courses. They would receive crucial financial solutions and all-around assistance from experts for a better study abroad experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the eligibility for the IELTS test?
There are no specific eligibility criteria for IELTS examinations. Anyone can take the test regardless of gender, age, nationality, educational background, ethnicity or religion. However, it is not recommended for candidates below 16 years.
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Can I appear for IELTS online from home?
The conducting bodies have introduced the IELTS Indicator test in the wake of the pandemic. With this test, one can sit for the test right from the convenience of their home. However, one needs to have the complete equipment set up asked by the administration.
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How many times can I sit for the IELTS?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts one can make for the IELTS exam. You can take the test as many times until you reach the desired score band. But, you need to register and pay the charges each time you appear for it.Â
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How long the different types of IELTS exam take?
Both the Academic and General Training IELTS exams are 2 hours and 45 minutes long. The IELTS Life Skills exam is shorter, with the A1 level taking 16-18 minutes and the B1 level taking 22 minutes
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Can I choose the types of IELTS exam to take?
Yes, you can choose which type of IELTS exam to take based on your specific needs and goals. However, it is important to make sure that the institution or organization you are applying to accepts the type of IELTS exam you are planning to t
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How long are the scores valid?
IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the date of the test. After 2 years, the scores will no longer be valid.
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What is the IELTS Life Skills exam?
The IELTS Life Skills exam is designed for those who need to prove their speaking and listening skills for immigration purposes. It is available at two levels, A1 and B1, and is specifically designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration.
