What is IELTS Test?
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It tests your ability to communicate in English.

What does it test? Why this test is taken?
IELTS results are used by organisations to assess your language skills when you want to study, work or live in an English-speaking country. It has become a mandatory test for students of many nationalities to get student visas to Australia. You cannot be granted an Australian student visa without an IELTS score if you are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and many other countries, TOEFL is not accepted.

What are its main types?
IELTS tests are of two types (modules)

1.Academic module: -
The Academic format is for those who want to study or train in an English-speaking university or Institutions of Higher and Further Education. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of the Academic test.

2. General module:-
The General Training format focuses on basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. It is for those who are going to English-speaking countries to do secondary education, work experience or training programs. People migrating to Australia, Canada and New Zealand must sit the General Training test.

What are the content and the format of the test?
Both modules are made up of four parts:
1.Listening, (Same for both the module)
2.Reading,
3.Writing and
4.Speaking. (Same for both the module)

Format of the Test

General Training Module

Test
1.Listening         4 Sections         40 items         30 Minutes

2.Reading,         3 Sections         40 items         60 Minutes

3.Writing              2 Tasks         150-250 word     60 Minutes

4.Speaking.         11-14 Minutes


Academic Training Module

Test
1.Listening             4 Sections     40 items         30 Minutes

2.Reading               3 Sections     40 items         60 Minutes

3.Writing                  2 Tasks         150-250 word 60 Minutes

4.Speaking.             11-14 Minutes

Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day. Depending on your test centre, the Speaking test may be offered on the same day or up to a week before or after the other parts.

What is the duration of the test?
The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Note:-IELTS results are graded on the unique IELTS 9-band scale. To get the result one has to clear all the four tests. The minimum score accepted for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending upon courses and institutes you are applying to. The most common requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5.


For how many times one can take IELTS exam?
You are not limited in how many times you can sit the test. You can retake the test if you donot achieve the desired score but not before three months of the first test date.

What is the time period of validity of the test report for IELTS
Test Reports have a validity of two years.

Who Manages the IELTS test?
IELTS is managed by three reputable, international organizations:
1. British Council, IDP:
2. IELTS Australia and
3.The University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).

Where it is taken and for how many times it is taken in a year?
IELTS tests are held in over 500 centres with tests up to four times a month

Where the test is taken in India?
India the test is taken on 71 test centre spreading all over the country.

How to register for the IELTS test?
To register for the test one has to contact one’s nearest test taking authority.Like for taking test in northern part of india one can Contact at :

British Council North India
Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Bhopal, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ludhiana
Address:
IELTS Administrator
17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi-110001
Tel: 91 011 23711401
Fax: 91 011 23710717
Email: Delhi.ielts@in.britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org.in/ielts

What is the fee of taking test?
However keep on changing the approx. fee of taking the test is Rs 7200/- as if now.