IELTS is the international English Language Testing System. It is for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of the communication.

IELTS measures test takers' ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Since 1989, IELTS has been proven and trusted worldwide to provide a secure, global, authentic test which measures true to life ability to communicate in English. IELTS is the original four-skills English language test, with more than 500,000 IELTS test conducted every year.

IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia.

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.

 All other study destinations either require you to take the TOEFL or IELTS. IELTS is however not accepted by most universities in USA. TOEFL is required for study there.   

The Academy of Britsh English runs short courses to prepare you for IELTS.

The test results are normally made available within two weeks of taking the test. You can also ask for more copies of your test results.

The test has different sections:

The Listening Section - Duration : 30 minutes

Academic reading/general training reading section - Duration : 60 minutes

Academic writing/general training writing section - Duration : 60 minutes

Speaking Section : Duration : 11 - 14 minutes

Total test time : 2 hours and 45 minutes