IELTS Exam To Study Abroad

IELTS exam full form is International English Language Testing System. The following is a broad overview of exam IELTS:

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  Designed for international candidates who plan to study or work in countries where English is the primary language. 
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  Widely recognized test for university admissions and migrations in many nations like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada.
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  It evaluates proficiency in English language skills like listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

IELTS Test - Key Features

Watch 3 Hours IELTS Masterclass by GyanDhan

Types of IELTS

There are two main types of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exams:

IELTS General Training Test:

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  This test is for persons who are planning to migrate to English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, or New Zealand. 
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  It is also suitable for those who want to enrol in secondary education, vocational training programs, or work-related training courses in English.
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  The IELTS General Training tests proficiency in English language skills used in social and workplace settings, such as communication in common situations, understanding instructions, and basic reading and writing tasks.

IELTS Academic Test:

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  The IELTS Academic test is for students who are planning to apply for higher education programs at universities or colleges at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. 
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  It is also accepted for professional purposes, such as medical or nursing courses in some countries. 
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  The IELTS Academic tests your ability to understand and use complex academic English in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Both types of IELTS exams assess your English language proficiency but have different content and are designed to meet the specific language requirements. Test-takers should choose the type of IELTS exam that best aligns with their academic or immigration goals.

Benefits of IELTS Exam

Taking the IELTS entrance exam in 2025 has many benefits. The following are some of the major advantages you can get:

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  Global recognition: Accepted by over 12,500 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, and immigration authorities across more than 140 countries.

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  Multiple opportunities: Many universities across the globe require IELTS scores for admission to make sure international students can fully comprehend their respective courses.

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  Career advancement: A good IELTS score can help you get better job prospects in English-speaking countries and international organizations.

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  Immigration requirements: IELTS is a must for visa applications and helps in migration to countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

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  Improved English skills: Preparing for IELTS improves your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities in the English language leading to better communication in daily life.

IELTS Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for taking the IELTS exam in 2025 are typically straightforward, and there are no strict eligibility requirements in terms of age or qualifications. However, you should keep the following points in mind:

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  Age: There is no specific age limit for taking the IELTS exam. People of all ages can register for the test.

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  Purpose: You should choose the appropriate type of IELTS exam based on your goals. If you are planning to study at a university or college, you should opt for the IELTS Academic test. If you intend to migrate to an English-speaking country, pursue vocational training, or meet immigration requirements, the IELTS General Training test is more suitable.

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  Qualification: The IDP, the organization responsible for conducting the IELTS exam, does not set specific qualifications for candidates. Individuals who have the aspiration to pursue higher education abroad or seek employment opportunities in foreign countries are eligible to take the IELTS IDP exam.

IELTS Registration

To register for the IELTS exam, candidates should initiate the process through the official IDP IELTS India website. There are two registration options available:

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  Online registration
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  In-person registration at the nearest IDP branch. 

During the registration, it is very important for IELTS test takers to have their passports ready as passport numbers are required for registration. Also, candidates must bring their passports with them on the test day. For individuals under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should handle the test booking on their behalf. Once the IELTS exam registration is done, the test centre will send a written confirmation, which will include details about the test date and time.

IELTS Exam Fee

The IELTS exam fee in India is INR 18,000. Similarly, the fee for the Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI is INR 18,250. Additionally, the IELTS exam fees for the IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) now stand at INR 17,000. Details are mentioned in the table below:

Please note that One Skill Retake introduces the option to retake a single section of the test, saving time and money for those who want to improve a specific score

IELTS Exam Dates

IELTS IDP India serves as the official organization responsible for conducting the IELTS exam. The IELTS test is offered multiple times annually. It is recommended that candidates select an IELTS exam date in 2025 that aligns with their convenience, while also considering the application deadlines for universities or institutions they intend to apply to. To prevent any last-minute issues, students planning to take the IELTS exam are encouraged to secure a test date approximately 3-4 months ahead of their application deadline. IELTS test centres are accessible in several major cities across India.

How to Book an IELTS Slot?

To book slot for the IELTS exam, follow these steps:

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  Step 1: Visit the official IDP IELTS website.

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  Step 2: Choose the test mode that suits you best: paper-based or online.

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  Step 3: Decide whether you need the Academic or General Training module based on your requirements.

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  Step 4: Select your preferred test city.

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  Step 5: After completing the above steps, you will be presented with a list of available venues, dates, and time slots. Choose the venue, date, and time that align with your schedule.

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  Step 6: Fill out the application form with all the necessary information.

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  Step 7: Continue with the online application process by providing any additional required details.

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  Step 8: Make the payment for the test fee.

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  Step 9: Upon confirming your test date, you will receive a declaration form in your registered email or phone number.

By following these steps, you can successfully book your IELTS exam.

Exam Pattern of IELTS

The IELTS Syllabus for 2025 comprises four main sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. In the IELTS exam, candidates are evaluated in these four areas, and their overall IELTS score is based on their performance in each section. The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Below is a brief description of IELTS exam pattern:

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  IELTS Listening Section (approximately 30 minutes): This segment evaluates your ability to comprehend spoken English by presenting various audio recordings, including conversations, monologues, and lectures.

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  IELTS Reading Section (60 minutes): The reading section assesses your reading comprehension skills using a diverse range of texts, such as articles, essays, and graphs. The texts are of an academic nature and are sourced from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers.

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  IELTS Writing Section (60 minutes): The writing section consists of two tasks. Task 1 requires you to summarize, describe, or explain visual information, such as graphs, charts, or diagrams. Task 2 involves writing an essay where you respond to a provided prompt and present arguments or express your opinion on a given topic.

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  IELTS Speaking Section (11-14 minutes): The speaking section evaluates your ability to communicate orally in English. It involves a face-to-face interview with an examiner and covers a range of questions and tasks related to personal experiences, opinions, and abstract topics.

By understanding the format and content of each section, test-takers can better prepare themselves for the IELTS examination in 2025.

Top 4 Tips to Ace The IELTS Exam

Here are some easy-to-understand preparation tips to help you do well in the IELTS exam:

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  Check where you stand: Before you start studying, take a test to see how much you already know about the subjects in the IELTS. This will give you a starting point.

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  Practice regularly: Try a practice test every week and look at what you got right and wrong. This helps you get used to the test and improve.

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  Keep track of mistakes: Make a list of the mistakes you make often and the things you need to get better at. This way, you can see how you're improving.

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  Read and listen more: Read books, articles, and listen to different topics to get used to different subjects. This will help you understand and talk about them better in the test.

By following these tips, you can get better at the IELTS exam and feel more confident when you take it.

IELTS vs. Other English Language Tests

Apart from exam IELTS, there are various other English-proficiency exams that are also recognised worldwide like TOEFL, GRE, Duolingo and PTE. Let us compare each of these with the exam IELTS from the table below:

Please note that the Duolingo exam scores are useful for educational institutions but the IELTS and TOEFL are useful for immigration purposes as well.

Frequently Asked Questions