IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is the most popular high-stakes English language test for study, work, and migration.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. The test conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment.
The IELTS test covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. IELTS is recognised by more than 12,500 organisations in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
Respected and accepted world-wide, IELTS helps you boost your score and prepares you for success in the real world.
If you want more out of your new life abroad or are looking to build a better future, take IELTS. Success starts the moment you choose to test with the best. Backed by Cambridge English and trusted by more universities, governments and organisations than any other test.
IELTS is globally recognised and accepted by leading universities, academic and professional bodies, and immigration departments of Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, making it the preferred option for anyone looking to move abroad for study, work or migration.
On the other hand, the UK does not acknowledge TOEFL as a valid English Language test for migration. Moreover, the Australian immigration department only recognizes the lengthier version of TOEFL, the TOEFL iBT. OET is designed only for healthcare professionals, limiting its usefulness for individuals outside of the healthcare industry.
IELTS examiners always understand you and your accent. For PTE’s speaking component of the test, you will be taking it in a room with other test takers which can be distracting for some participants. As for TOEFL’s speaking test, you will be talking to a computer while with IELTS, your spoken English is assessed by a real person who understands different accents.
With a test centre network across 140+ countries, you can take the IELTS test anywhere. Some other major tests are only available on a computer; however, with IELTS, you have more choices to take IELTS on paper, IELTS on computer, or IELTS Online based on your preferences.
The best opportunities for moving and living abroad start the moment you choose IELTS.
Which test type do you take?
Where you want to study, work, or migrate to will affect which test you need to take:
Make sure you visit the relevant government or institutional websites to confirm which test you need to take.
IELTS is a test of all four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. You will take the Listening, Reading and Writing tests all on the same day one after the other, with no breaks in between. Depending on your test centre, your Speaking test may be on the same day as the other three tests or up to seven days before or after that. The total test time is under three hours.
You can choose to take IELTS on a computer or paper for both the General Training and Academic tests.
The test format, question types, time allocated to each test part and content is the same for both IELTS on computer and IELTS on paper test. The only difference is in your test day experience.
If you choose to complete your IELTS test on a computer, you will do the Reading, Listening, and Writing parts of the test using a computer. The IELTS Speaking test remains the same, with a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
If you take IELTS on paper, you will complete the Reading, Listening and Writing parts on paper. The Speaking test is completed in a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner, and this can be done one week before or after your test date. In the IELTS on paper test, the Writing, Reading, and Listening tests are all completed on the same day with no breaks between each test.
We'll share some free sample questions to help you decide whether you want to take IELTS on paper or computer. But first, let's take a quick look at the difference between IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer.
| IELTS on computer | IELTS on paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery format | Complete the Reading, Listening and Writing parts of the test using a computer and the Speaking test face-to-face with an IELTS examiner | Complete the Reading, Listening and Writing parts of the test on paper and the Speaking part face-to-face with an IELTS examiner |
| Results | Results will be available 3 to 5 days after taking your test | Results will be available 13 days after taking your test |
| Booking | Look for the computer icon when you book your test | Look for the paper icon when you book your test |
| Test availability | Testing up to 7 days a week and 3 times a day | Testing up to 48 days per year (Thursday and Saturday) |
| One Skill Retake | Not Available | Available for Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking without redoing all four parts, you can take IELTS One Skill Retake. You must book your IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test date. |
CD IELTS Test Fee – OMR 101 only.
PB IELTS Test Fee – OMR 101 only.
One Skill Retake (OSR) - OMR 67 Only
You can take the IELTS test on paper or computer. The contents, test part times, question types, scoring and results of the IELTS on paper test are the exact same as the IELTS on computer test, but your test day experience is a little different.
You have to submit your application online here
In order to ensure that the language ability of all test takers is assessed fairly and objectively, IELTS provides a comprehensive service for test takers who have special requirements, including specific learning difficulties, hearing difficulties and visual difficulties, medical conditions or infant feeding.
If you require a modified version of IELTS, you must give the test centre three months’ notice. If your circumstances require special arrangements to be made, e.g. extra time, you must give the test centre six weeks’ notice.
Special arrangements include the following:
Please contact us at Info.IELTS@mti.om as soon as possible if you have special needs that may require a modified IELTS test version.
Do you have a disability or special requirements?
We have a number of ways to help IELTS test takers who have special requirements, such as:
Visual difficulties
If you cannot see, partially sighted or have problems seeing, we may be able to help you take your IELTS test.
Hearing or speaking difficulties
The IELTS test includes a Listening and a Speaking test. If you have hearing or speaking difficulties, we may be able to help you take your exam.
Before you head into your test you should understand the IELTS test format by learning about each part of the test, question types and how IELTS examiners assess your Speaking and Writing tests.
To Improve your skills in all four parts of the IELTS test, check the below:
You will receive one original Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), or United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA). In these cases, you can receive two. Proof of application to CIC and UKBA must be provided.
You can collect your TRF at IDP IELTS offices when your results are released. You need to bring the form of identity you used to register for the test to pick up your TRF.
You must give a minimum of 5 weeks before your test day if you wish to:
No refund will be given to test takers who fail to show up on the day of their test. If you wish to retake the test on another day, you must register and pay the test fee again.
If you cancel your IELTS test at least 5 weeks ahead of your test day, you will receive a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee.
If you cancel your IELTS test within 5 weeks of your test date, you will receive no refund.
If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from taking your test, you are eligible for a refund if you can provide evidence within 5 days of your test that your ability to sit the test will be or has been affected by serious illness or cause, such as:
You must inform the test centre by email about your request. A Request for a Refund or Test Day Transfer must be supported by appropriate documentation and evidence. These supporting documents may include a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner, a death certificate, a police report, or termination letter from the company.
If the refund request has been approved, you will be notified via email together with the Refund/ Test Day Transfer Link Form which you will need to complete. Processing of a refund will take around 3 to 4 weeks. You will also be charged a 25% administrative fee. This covers the cost of processing your request which is 25% of your current test fee.
Additional policies might be applicable to your country. Please check with the Test Centre for the in-country Transfer and Cancellation Policy.
We will always ensure that you get the best possible experience when taking your IELTS test with us and we will help you with any questions that you have.
