IELTS is a standardised test that measures candidates' ability to understand and use English in various contexts. The International English Language Testing System is recognised by most educational institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada (IELTS). The primary focus of the examination is on determining whether or not candidates are proficient in the four aspects of the English language: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. 

IELTS is jointly owned and run by Cambridge English Language Assessment and IDP Education Australia. There is a paper-based and computer-based versions of the IELTS. Participants in the computer-based IELTS exam can complete the listening, writing, and reading sections online. But, the speaking examination is given in person and is led by a certified examiner. 

If you choose the computer-based IELTS exam, you have additional exam dates to choose from, and you receive your results in three to five days. However, if you take the IELTS paper test, you have comparatively lesser dates to choose from. The IELTS paper version is conducted offline, in an exam centre. 

Latest updates in IELTS

From March 2023, IELTS will offer "One Skill Retake" in India: As of now, if you wish to retake the IELTS exam, you will have to rewrite all the sections. But, as per the new update, IELTS will implement a "One Skill Retake" provision, allowing test takers to show up only for the portion of the test in which they performed worse. This revision will take effect on March 2023. 

Why is IELTS Exam Required?

IELTS 2023 exam is necessary for academic and immigration purposes in English-speaking nations, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand and Canada. The straightforward response is that foreign colleges and organisations in charge of issuing visas want to ensure that you won't experience any communication problems while you're there. Your overall IELTS band scores are crucial because they demonstrate your proficiency in the English language.

Some colleges and universities might admit you without IELTS scores. But keep in mind that your chances of receiving a student visa may be low if you choose not to take the IELTS exam because the visa officials might not be persuaded of your English competence in the absence of a score. It is, therefore, safer to take the IELTS and strive for a score of at least 6 bands overall.

IELTS has established itself as a pioneer in international higher education and is approved by more than 11,000 organisations across more than 140 countries.

Types of IELTS

There are two IELTS exams: General Training and Academic.

Each of these tests has a speaking and listening section that is the same, but the writing and reading sections differ depending on whatever test a person takes. There are no breaks between the IELTS exam's reading, writing, and listening sections, which are given on the same day. However, the speaking section can be completed either one week before or following the other test dates. This knowledge test is available for you to take wherever you are tested. Read about selecting an exam for a course taken abroad.

IELTS Academic Test: IELTS Academic is designed for those who wish to apply for higher education or permanent residence in nations where English is the primary language of communication. The examination's primary purpose is to determine whether a candidate is prepared to begin studying or training in English. 

IELTS General Training Test: IELTS General Training is intended for candidates who wish to migrate to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the US or the UK or are applying for secondary education, training programmes, or work experience in an English-speaking environment. The examination focuses on a candidate's fundamental social and occupational survival abilities.

IELTS 2023 Highlights The study

IELTS vs TOEFL

When choosing between IELTS and TOEFL, international students frequently need help because foreign universities require either exam result. It is up to the test taker to choose which of the two examinations to take, but keep in mind that applicants to universities in the US and Canada tend to choose the TOEFL. In contrast, UK, Australian, and New Zealand applicants prefer IELTS.

IELTS Eligibility 2023 

Although individual institutes might have varying requirements for admission, IELTS does not have any predetermined eligibility standards. It is, however, recommended that you take the test once you’re 16 years of age. But, regardless of nationality or background, anyone can take the test. During the IELTS registration process and when you appear for the exam, you will be asked to produce proof of identification such as a passport.

Each university has its own admissions requirements and procedures, so it’s best to check the course requirements before preparing. Though typically, top universities prefer an IELTS score of 6+.

IELTS Registration 2023

IELTS registration is a straightforward process and can be easily completed online. The application fee is ₹15,500 currently. You may register using the IDP IELTS registration page and create a profile online. Online registration permits registration at any time and on any day. You can pay online with a credit card or debit card. IDP IELTS registration is the quickest and most convenient way to reserve an IELTS slot.

However,  it’s not the only way. Offline registrations are also an option. In-person registration is possible at the IDP India office.

You may either fill out the application online or on paper at the office. You can pay the fee with a credit or debit card, a demand draught, or an ICICI bank deposit slip. You will receive an immediate confirmation from IDP.

The IELTS paper version is offered on one of 48 predetermined dates throughout the year, with the specific date selected based on demand in the candidate's home country (up to four times per month). 

Steps to register for the IELTS exam 

Step 1: Visit the official IELTS India website.

Step 2: Go to the 'Register for Test' option.

Step 3: Select your preferred test, test type, and available test date in the city. 

Step 4: fill in your details

Step 5: complete your registration details 

Step 6: Upload copies of your passport

Step 7: Select the list of colleges to which you want to send your score Report.

Step 8: Review your details one last time before making payment. 

Step 9: Pay the test fee.

Step 10: Once the payment has been made. Candidates can take a printout of the acknowledgement receipt.

After registering online, you will receive a confirmation on your registered email address or phone number. You can reserve a date and time slot for paper-based IELTS exams online.

IELTS Cancellation and Refund

You can also cancel or postpone the IELTS slot booking 2023 by paying the cancellation or postponement fee. Suppose you happen to cancel the set IELTS exam date. In that case, you will be charged as follows

• If you cancel your application for the IELTS more than five weeks before the test date, you will be eligible for a refund of your payment, although there will be an administrative fee deducted from it equal to 25% of the total amount
• You must cancel your IELTS exam with at least five weeks' notice prior to the test date to be eligible for a refund
• If you choose not to take the test, there will be no refund issued. This is also considered to be a cancellation on our end

Those individuals who can present a medical certificate within five days of the test date are eligible for reimbursement. This is after the local administrative fee has been deducted from the total.

Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking make up the four sections of the IELTS exam format. You will be evaluated on these four criteria, which will reveal something important about your English proficiency. If you get above band 6 in all sections, you will be considered an expert in the language! 

Note: Reading, Listening, and Writing sections are administered simultaneously. However, the Speaking section may be administered on the same day, seven days prior or seven days after the exam date.

IELTS Exam Pattern Overview

IELTS Exam Format

Let’s explore the IELTS sections in detail. 

IELTS Test Format - Listening

40 questions will be asked about 4 different recordings. These recordings are played only once and are based on different settings, as shown below.

• The first recording is of a conversation between two people that takes place in a typical social setting.
• Recording 2 is a conversation that takes place in a typical social setting.
• Recording 3 is a discussion between up to four people that takes place in an instructional or learning environment.
• Recording number four will consist of a monologue on any academic topic.

IELTS Test Format - Reading

The Reading section contains forty questions designed to assess various reading skills. These include comprehending the logical argument, reading for the main points, and reading for the particulars. The texts are selected from periodicals, journals, newspapers, and books for university applicants. 

You can expect to receive questions types such as

• Identifying information
• Matching features
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions
• Identifying the author’s claims 

IELTS Test Format – Writing 

The writing section is designed to analyse your vocabulary range and your ability to construct and process information. There are two tasks in this section, as explained below.

• Task 1- You’re allotted sixty minutes to complete both tasks. One task takes 20 minutes, while the other takes 40. Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Module requires you to summarise a table/graph/process in at least 150 words. Task 1 of the IELTS General Training Module requires candidates to compose a letter with at least 150 words.
• Task 2- Task 2 is identical to the Academic and General Training Module. You must write an essay of a minimum of 250 words. The applicants must compose an essay responding to an argument, problem, or viewpoint. Ensure that you respond to both tasks in a formal manner.

Test format – Speaking

 The speaking section evaluates the candidate's spoken English. Each test is documented.

• Part 1 - First, the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and familiar topics such as work, school, and home. The duration of the first section is four to five minutes.
• Part 2 - You will be given a card with questions regarding a specific topic. You get a minute to prepare before speaking for two minutes. The examiner will then pose one or two questions on the chosen subject.
• Part 3 - The participant will be asked questions regarding the topic chosen in Part 2. In this round, you can discuss your ideas and issues in greater depth. This section lasts between four and five minutes.

The IELTS computer-delivered result is available three to five days after the test date. To view your IELTS score online, visit the IELTS IDP online result portal using the link provided by your test centre. You will receive band scores ranging from 1 to 9 for each of the four sections. In addition, you will receive an overall band score. The result will be provided in Test Report Form (TRF) format. 

IELTS TRF

The official IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is a mark sheet with all your IELTS scores. The TRF displays your scores in all four sections of the IELTS: reading, listening, writing, and speaking, as well as your overall score banding. All five scores are presented on a 9-Band scale. Your TRF would be posted anywhere between 3 to 5 days after the test date if you took the IELTS online. If you took the paper-based IELTS, your TRF would be posted thirteen days after the test date.

Only one TRF is issued per person. However, you can request 5 additional test report forms (ATRFs) The first 5 ATRFs are free and will be sent to the institutions of your choice. If you need more than 5 TRFs, you will have to pay an additional fee. 

IELTS Provisional Marksheet 

After 13 days, you can view your provisional result online. The provisional test results are not official, and neither printed copies nor screenshots of the result page will be accepted as your IELTS score. You must wait to receive your TRF to send it to universities. 

IELTS Result check date in India 

How to calculate IELTS Band Scores?

To calculate your IELTS score, you must take the mean (average) scores from each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. With the IELTS band score calculator, you can determine your reading and listening scores and total scores. This is the total number of points divided by four. If the calculated average contains a decimal point, it will be rounded to the nearest half or whole band. For example, if the average value is 0.25, it is rounded to the next half band. If your score is 6.25, it will be rounded off to 6.5. The mean will be rounded to the next whole band in all other instances where the mean is 0.75. A band score of 6.75 will be rounded to a final score of 7.

How to check IELTS results online?

You can check your IELTS results online through different modes - online, via email, SMS, or at the test centre. 

To check online, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Visit the IDP's official website
• Step 2: Click on the 'Results' 
• Step 3: Select the test date
• Step 4: Submit all details like candidate number, ID number, and date of birth and proceed 

How to get IELTS Results through SMS?

You can also check their IELTS test score through SMS by sending the below-mentioned code to 9289892898 after 12.00 noon on the day of the result.

The SMS must be in this format: RESULT Candidate No. Passport No.

How to get IELTS results through email?

You will receive an email from the British Council when the IELTS results are released. Keep an eye on your email notifications.

How long is an IELTS score valid?

 A Test Report Form (TRF) for the IELTS is valid for two years. You may send your IELTS scores to as many universities as you wish within these two years. IELTS test takers will no longer be able to use their scores after this period.

RE-marking for IELTS Result

If you want your IELTS test result to be remarked, you must request an Enquiry on Results (EOR) within 6 weeks of your test date. Candidates may choose which section of the IELTS they wish to have remarked on. If any portion of the IELTS score improves, this fee is refunded. Results after re-marking are available between 2 and 21 days after the requested date. It depends on the number of sections you wish to remark on.   

How to send IELTS scores to universities?

Once you receive your IELTS scores, it is crucial to understand how to send those scores to universities. You can send their IELTS test scores to five universities free of charge. However, you must choose the universities you wish to send your score during registration. Below are some means to send ATRFs to universities. 

• Electronic system: You will be charged INR 250 (after 5 ATRFs) per University for using the electronic system. The universities and other types of institutions that have paid for access to the electronic download of scores will receive the results online.
• Courier: You must pay INR 1250 per address for international courier service. In most cases, delivering the score report to a university will take the courier service approximately four days to complete. Candidates receive an SMS with the tracking number so they can keep track of their applications.
• By post: When applying by post, you must pay INR 400 for each address. You don’t receive a tracking number for this particular service.

Preparation Tips for Those Taking the IELTS in 2023 

An effective IELTS preparation strategy can provide a competitive advantage. Ideally, you must start preparing for IELTS 2-3 months in advance. Understanding the IELTS exam format and scheduling your preparation activities accordingly is crucial. Familiarize yourself with each section's questions, tasks and rules. Then, begin practising with IELTS sample questions to get a fair idea about the exam in real-time. 

The tips below will help you score 7 bands or more in IELTS! 

• Improve Reading Skills

Develop the habit of reading and learning new words, and make an effort to use them in appropriate contexts. Read every day; if you’re new to reading, start with English newspapers and listen to the English news. Reading helps you hone your skills and develop the ability to search for specifics. Additionally, you can try making notes to trace back information. Remember, IELTS is one of the most time-sensitive exams, so practising reading within a specific time limit can help you significantly!

• Enhance your Writing skills

 Reading and writing skills go hand-in-hand, but reading quickly alone isn’t enough. Practice writing faster and strive to increase your writing speed. By improving your writing skills, you will be able to complete task 2, which is longer and requires more time. When you read, pay attention to new words and when you practice writing, use them to compose sentences. Examine the task 2 questions carefully to understand better what you approach towards writing should be. Work on your writing speed so that you have time to review your work. 

• Work on Listening skills

The listening section can be tricky for some users as you can only listen to the recording once. It’s important to be attentive. You can hone your listening skills by listening to sample audio without pausing. Be aware of the exact request and review the instructions. 

• Learn vocabulary

Building your vocabulary and using them appropriately is vital for IELTS. For this, you must read extensively. Notate the new words and practise using them in appropriate contexts. You will be exposed to new words if you read editorials and various publications. Using these in daily conversations is a great way to learn their context. 

• Learn the pronunciation and develop fluency

The listening section consists of three parts: a short talk, a structured interview, and an unstructured interview. For four to five minutes, candidates will be asked two to three brief questions on familiar topics. For this exercise, speak in English for an extended period and concentrate on your pronunciation. Read and listen to various topics so you can learn about them and speak on various subjects. Learn your weaknesses and your strengths by recording yourself while speaking. 

IELTS Reading Preparation Tips

• Read as much as you can.
• For the Academic IELTS reading test, focus on academic journals, newspapers, professional magazines, hard-hitting journalistic articles, etc. Try to comprehend what you read quickly and accurately.
• For the General IELTS reading test, read instruction manuals, magazines, advertising materials for hotels and services, and newspapers. General IELTS reading passages are usually selected from these sources.
• If you find unfamiliar words, look them up on Google or a dictionary. It will help you follow the jargon used in professional writing. This is particularly beneficial for those applying for the Academic IELTS reading test.
• Improve your speed of reading. You need to read 3 – 4 passages during the IELTS reading task, ideally within 15 – 20 minutes. Practice speed-reading and grasping the full extent of the passage in one go.

IELTS Writing Preparation Tips

• Start reading academic and professional magazines and journals. Read the newspaper daily. Read academic study materials, books, and other relevant sources of information.
• Observe the pattern and writing style in these information sources.
• Learn grammar rules and how to use them in the correct format.
• Learn the 8 parts of speech: Nouns, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, and interjections.
• Learn how to form simple, complex, and compound sentences

IELTS Listening Preparation Tips

• Start by watching Ted Talks, educational programs, native news channels, etc., with subtitles.
• Once you are familiar with the sounds in different accents, watch them without subtitles.
• Then switch over to listening to English podcasts. This will help you focus your attention on the listening part rather than watching or reading.
• Make it a point to note the important facts and data they share.
• Improve your vocabulary. Learn at least 3 – 5 words every day in the beginning. Then move on to learn 5 – 8 words a day.

IELTS Speaking Preparation Tips

• Speak some English in everyday life
• Ask questions if a question is unclear
• Do not resort to memorising
• Give full answers instead of short, incomplete answers
• Use your one minute wisely. Use this time to think of everything you want to say

IELTS Preparation Materials 

Many IELTS books and materials are currently available to help students prepare for the IELTS exam. Below is a list of popular IELTS books and practice tests required for IELTS preparation. The best aspect of the IELTS books is that they can be used anywhere, whether in the classroom or at home. Books and CDs containing exercises for learning all four IELTS skills are also included in the preparation materials. 

Here are some books you can use to prepare for IELTS. 

Top IELTS listening Books:

• Achiever IELTS 9 Bands IELTS Listening Practice Tests Kit by Arunlata
• IELTS Listening Strategies by Rachel Mitchell
• Written by Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson, Listening for IELTS (With Answers and Audio)
• IELTS Listening Practice Tests – IELTS Self-study Exam Preparation Book: For IELTS for Academic Purposes and General Training Modules by IELTS Success Associates

Top IELTS Writing Books:

• Parthesh Thakkar’s The Ultimate Guide to IELTS Writing
• Get IELTS Band 9 in Academic Writing by Cambridge
• Visuals: Writing About Graphs, Tables and Diagrams by Gabi Duigu
• Sam McCarter’s Academic Writing Practice for IELTS 
• Barron’s Writing For The IELTS

Top IELTS Reading Books

• Target 9 Latest Reading test (2022 – 2023) IELTS Reading Academic ( 15 Advanced Level Tests) by Darshan Singh
• Makkar IELTS English for Exams IELTS Academic Reading Vol.1 and Vol.2 by Dr Kiranpreet Kaur Makkar

Top IELTS Speaking Books

• Target 9 Lastest 2022 Edition IELTS Speaking by Darshan Singh
• Parthesh Thakka’s The Ultimate Guide to IELTS Speaking 
• The Masterpiece of Speaking IELTS by Vinod Gambtoo

Other IELTS Books

• IELTS Topic Vocabulary: Essential Vocabulary for Speaking and Writing Exams by Peter Killingley and Mary E. Kuder
• IELTS Graphs from Past Exams by Dr Kiranpreet Kaur Makkar and Ravepreet Singh
• A Masterpiece of Essays IELTS by Vinod Gambtoo
• IELTS Practice Test by Oxford publication
• Barron’s IELTS Practice Exams
• Latest edition Cambridge IELTS Academic 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 (Set of 4 Books)

IELTS exam dates are accessible all year long, making scheduling your exam easy. It's critical to schedule your dates as soon as possible because IELTS test centres work on a first-come, first-served basis. Test demand may peak one month ahead of peak season. 

IELTS computer version can be taken all 7 days of the week, and you get your results in 3-5 days. The IELTS exam on paper is given up to four times each month, and results reach you within 13-15 days. The IELTS Speaking test is given either seven days before or seven days after your planned test date, whereas the IELTS Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are given on the same day.

IELTS Exam Date 2022

In India, IDP and Cambridge English Language Assessment jointly own and administer IELTS. The test is given four times each month by IDP. Each year, IELTS is given 48 times.

The following is a list of the IDP IELTS test dates for 2022. The IELTS paper-based test timetable for 2022 has been provided in detail.

IELTS Exam Dates for December 2022

IELTS Test Dates 2023 in India

January test dates

• Saturday, 7 January 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 14 January 2023, Academic only
• Thursday, 19 January 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 28 January 2023, Academic only

February test dates

• Saturday, 4 February 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 11 February 2023, Academic and General Training
• Thursday, 16 February 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 25 February 2023, Academic and General Training

March test dates

• Thursday, 2 March 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 11 March 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 18 March 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 25 March 2023, Academic and General Training

April test dates

• Saturday, 1 April 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 15 April 2023, Academic only
• Thursday, 20 April 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 29 April 2023, Academic and General Training

May test dates

• Saturday, 6 May 2023, Academic only
• Thursday, 11 May 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 20 May 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 27 May 2023, Academic and General Training

June test dates

• Saturday, 3 June 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 10 June 2023, Academic and General Training
• Thursday, 15 June 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 24 June 2023, Academic and General Training

July test dates

• Thursday, 6 July 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 15 July 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 22 July 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 29 July 2023, Academic and General Training

August test dates

• Saturday, 5 August 2023, Academic only
• Thursday, 10 August 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 19 August 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 26 August 2023, Academic and General Training

September test dates

• Saturday, 2 September 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 9 September 2023, Academic and General Training
• Thursday, 14 September 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 23 September 2023, Academic and General Training

October test dates

• Saturday, 7 October 2023, Academic and General Training
• Thursday, 12 October 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 21 October 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 28 October 2023, Academic and General Training

November test dates

• Saturday, 4 November 2023, Academic only
• Thursday, 9 November 2023, Academic and General Training
• Saturday, 18 November 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 25 November 2023, Academic and General Training

December test dates

• Saturday, 2 December 2023, Academic and General Training
• Thursday, 7 December 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 9 December 2023, Academic only
• Saturday, 16 December 2023, Academic and General Training

IELTS 2023 Test Centres in India

IELTS is now administered in India by IELTS IDP India. You can schedule your IELTS exam online or visit your local IDP office to register offline. IDP operates 75 IELTS test centres in India. We recommend registering beforehand to choose your preferred date and time slot.

Note: Verify at the time of registration whether or not your test centre is operational.   

Computer-delivered IDP IELTS test centres in India 

The following are the test centres in India.

Other locations of IDP Education’s IELTS Test Centres:

• New Delhi, Delhi
• Haryana
  • Karnal
  • Ambala
• Punjab
  • Patiala
  • Moga
• Mehsana, Gujarat
• Dehradun, Uttarakhand
• Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Madhya Pradesh
  • Bhopal
  • Indore
• Gujarat
  • Rajkot
  • Anand
• Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Kerala
  • Angamaly
  • Kottayam
  • Kozhikode
  • Thrissur
• Mangaluru, Karnataka

Is it possible for me to move up the IELTS exam date?

IELTS candidates can cancel or postpone. Candidates can email or postpone the exam. Phone calls cannot cancel or postpone.

• Postponing or cancelling your application more than five weeks before the test will result in less than 25% of the administrative fee.
• Candidates cancelling the exam less than 5 weeks ahead of the exam will not receive any refund.
• Those who do not appear for the exam will also not receive any refund.