IELTS Exam 2024-2025

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is more than just a test—it's your ticket to studying, working, and living in English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand! 

For the past 30 years, the IELTS exam has been jointly run by IDP Education, British Council and Cambridge Assessment English to assess how well non-native speakers can understand English. The test is a key to communicating with professors, fellow students, other working professionals, local businesses, and adapting to the academic and social environment of foreign country. 

So, what makes IELTS so popular? Here are a few reasons:
 

• Global Acceptance
• Flexibility & Reliability
• Real-Life English Assessment
• Standardised and Accurate Evaluation
• Brighter Career Prospects

In recent years, the demand for IELTS has continued to grow with its acceptance in over 150 countries.

Looking for a study partner for your IELTS preparation? Click here to join our Free IELTS masterclass and get personalised guidance from our experts. Secure your spot and unlock the best study resources.

Why Take IELTS?

 

The IELTS exam is widely regarded as the world's most trusted English proficiency test, with over 4 million students taking it every year. Here’s why.

University and Visa Requirements

Universities and immigration offices require IELTS scores for admission and visa purposes. Over 12,000 organisations rely on IELTS!

---

Employment Opportunities

Most employers in English-speaking countries request an IELTS score as part of the application process.

---

Competitive Advantage

A good IELTS score (typically above 6.0-6.5) can make your university or job application stand out in today’s competitive environment.

---

Skill Enhancement

Preparing for IELTS improves your English and hones your critical thinking and time management skills.

How Does IELTS Assist With Studying Abroad?

 

IELTS is a crucial step for those who wish to study abroad. It serves as a reliable measure of your English language proficiency, providing educational institutions with standardised proof of your language skills. This test is your passport for obtaining a visa to your desired country.
 

However, visa requirements may vary based on country. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need for some popular study destinations:
 

If you’re eligible for the IELTS exam, you can complete your registration either online or offline at any IDP Branch.

To register online:

• Find your nearest test centre and select a suitable date.
• Choose the type of IELTS test you wish to take (Academic or General Training).
• Fill in your details and proceed to pay the registration fee.

The IELTS exam is open to everyone, regardless of age or qualifications. Here’s what you need to know:

• No Mandatory Age or Qualification Requirements: Anyone can take the IELTS exam, whether you’re a student, professional, or simply looking to improve your English skills.

Remember to bring a valid passport on the test day. IELTS enforces a strict no-passport, no-test policy, so don’t forget this essential document!

The IELTS fees vary based on the test type you select. As of 2024, IELTS IDP has updated its fees. Here are the latest fees:
 

IELTS Exam Fees in India

IELTS Exam Type	Fee (INR)
IELTS Academic Test	17,000
IELTS General Training Test	17,000
IELTS on Computer for UKVI	17,250
IELTS on Computer	17,000
IELTS on Paper	17,000
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)	16,050
One Skill Retake	11,300

You can pay the IELTS fee online or offline during registration.

If you need to cancel your test, the fee is partially refundable based on when you cancel. Review the refund policy for details on how much you can expect to get back.

The availability of slots will depend on the type of test, format, and the centre you choose. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Paper-Based IELTS: Offered up to 4 days a month and 48 days a year, providing several opportunities throughout the year.
• Computer-Based IELTS: It is available every day of the week and up to 3 times a day, giving you more flexibility to choose a time that suits you best.

You can book your IELTS test up to 3 months in advance, allowing ample time for thorough preparation!

India has 82 IELTS test centres spread across the country, including popular cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai. Choosing a centre nearest to you with such a widespread network is easy! 

You can select your preferred test centre during the registration and slot booking process. Remember that test dates may vary depending on the centre, so it's a good idea to check availability in advance to find a date that works best for you.

IELTS is a 2-hour and 45-minute long test containing four modules.
 

Familiarising yourself with the IELTS exam pattern is the first step in your preparation. Understanding each module helps you identify which ones will be easier for you and which need more effort. Each module is designed to assess the applicant's unique language skills.

But before diving into the test pattern, it’s important to understand the IELTS test format.

Choosing the Right IELTS Exam Format

IELTS understands the needs of people moving abroad and has created different tests to suit them. There are two main formats of the IELTS exam:

1. IELTS Academic: This test is perfect if you plan to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level in an English-speaking country or need professional registration.
 

2. IELTS General Training: This version of IELTS is specifically tailored for individuals planning to migrate to an English-speaking country. It’s also ideal for those applying for secondary education, training programs, or gaining work experience abroad.

IELTS Syllabus 2024-2025: What Does the IELTS Test Cover?

Listening

IELTS Listening tests your ability to understand spoken English and how well you can grasp ideas in a conversation.

---

Reading

IELTS Reading evaluates your reading comprehension, critical thinking, and ability to understand vocabulary and text structures.

---

Writing

IELTS Writing evaluates your ability to express your thoughts and ideas in written English and present your ideas logically.

---

Speaking

IELTS Speaking tests your fluency, accuracy, vocabulary range, and pronunciation of your spoken English.

The IELTS is a comprehensive English language test that assesses your abilities in 4 key areas or skills. 

Here’s a brief:
 

• IELTS Listening consists of 4 audio recordings and 10 questions for each recording. Examiners mainly intend to understand your ability to absorb ideas and information. You can expect to answer multiple-choice, matching and sentence completion-type questions based on recording.
• IELTS Reading requires you to read and analyse the 3 passages and answer the following questions extracted from text such as articles, books, magazines, etc. 
• IELTS Writing is divided into 2 tasks: Task 1 and Task 2. The given tasks will require you to describe, summarise, or write an essay regarding the given topics of a specific word limit. 
• IELTS Speaking is conducted in a one-on-one interview-like setting and is divided into 3 parts. In this section, you will be asked questions about your home, family, and work, as well as some general topics, abstract ideas, and world issues. 

The IELTS Academic and General Training tests cover the same four modules but are assessed differently. The syllabus differs slightly, with the Academic version featuring more advanced content, including texts taken from academic sources.

With IELTS, you don’t have to wait too long for your results! IELTS exam results are announced within 2-13 days of your test date. To simplify things, you can check your results online on the official website of IDP IELTS India.
 

The results are received in a test report form (TRF). An IELTS TRF is your official scoresheet and contains your individual scores as well as your overall score, which reflects your proficiency level. 
 

You can share your IELTS results with as many universities as you’d like, but remember: 

• You can request up to 5 additional Test Report Forms (ATRFs) for free. Just indicate which universities or institutions should receive them on your IELTS Application Form.
• After the first 5, each additional TRF costs INR 250 each.

IELTS is scored on a scale of 0 to 9, with your overall band score being the average of the band scores from the four modules: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. 
 

How Scores Are Calculated:
 

• Each module receives a band score based on your performance. 
• You can receive whole scores (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5).
• Individual scores are averaged together to derive an overall score
• Your overall score is rounded to the nearest band score (e.g., 5.75 will be rounded to 6.)

Preparing for the IELTS exam might seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and consistent practice, you can definitely ace it!

Here are some section-wise tips that will help you excel in each module.

Reading books will never go out of style! IELTS books can dramatically improve your preparation, and it’s a really good idea to add them to your preparation strategy. 

IELTS Books contain a thorough explanation of all the sections, a few handy tips, and include the most relevant sample questions and answers. 
 

There are tons of IELTS exam books available on the market. Therefore, it’s important to choose credible ones. These are our picks:

Top 4 IELTS Books for Preparation
 

1. Barron's IELTS Superpack

2. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

3. Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student's Book with Answers

4. Official IELTS Practice Materials

Solving practice tests is an excellent way to test your progress in your preparation. Incorporating regular practice tests into your study plan is key to achieving your desired score. Experts suggest aiming for 2-3 practice tests each week. 

Here's how they can help you:

• Spot Strengths and Weaknesses: Practice tests pinpoint where you excel and where you lack.
• Sharpen Your Study Plans: Use test results to focus on your weak areas, making your prep more efficient.
• Boost Confidence:  Get familiar with the test format to reduce anxiety and feel confident on exam day.