The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
IELTS is available in two test versions: Academic - for people applying for higher education or professional registration, and General Training for those migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK, or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Both versions provide a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training. This approach is widely supported by the institutions that recognise IELTS.
The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
To gain an Australian visa, you will need to demonstrate your English abilities to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).
IELTS is one of the world’s most popular high-stakes English language tests, with over 3 million tests taken in the past year. And it’s the English test of choice for educational organisations, professional associations and employers across Australia. In fact, all universities and colleges in Australia accept IELTS, as well as all professional associations that have set minimum language requirements for professional registration.
The IELTS score you need depends on the requirements of your visa, and the organisation where you plan to study or work.
IELTS assesses your English proficiency on a scale from 1–9 in four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You have a choice of two test versions – IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training – depending on the requirements set by the organisation where you plan to work or study.
Preparing for your test is an important part of the process. Take advantage of our Spoken English and IELTS Training to help you improve your language and communication skills.
You can also order Official IELTS Practice Materials which include samples of past Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests, complete with sample answers and examiner comments. You can also purchase practice materials from local test centres.
