British Council IELTS Partner List - Updated 2025

Overview of the IELTS Exam

IELTS is offered in two formats: Academic and General Training. The Academic version is intended for those who want to study at a university or institution, while the General Training version is for those applying for work or migration to English-speaking countries. Both versions test the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), but the content of the Reading and Writing sections differs based on the type of exam.

The IELTS Listening Test

The Listening section lasts 30 minutes and consists of 4 sections with a total of 40 questions. You'll listen to recordings of conversations, discussions, and lectures. The questions will test your ability to understand main ideas, specific details, and opinions.

The Listening section is the same for both Academic and General Training IELTS candidates. After listening to each recording, you will have a set time to answer the questions. These questions include multiple-choice, short answer, and matching tasks.

The IELTS Reading Test

The Reading section lasts for 60 minutes and consists of 40 questions. The Reading test differs between the Academic and General Training versions of IELTS:

• In the Academic version, the texts are drawn from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers.
• In the General Training version, the texts are based on daily life, such as advertisements, brochures, and work-related materials.

The questions are designed to assess a variety of skills, including the ability to identify main ideas, locate specific information, understand opinions, and interpret the meaning of words in context.

The IELTS Writing Test

The Writing section is divided into two tasks, and you will have 60 minutes to complete both:

• Task 1: You must summarize, describe, or explain a diagram, graph, or chart in at least 150 words (Academic) or write a letter (General Training).
• Task 2: You must write an essay in response to a question or argument. This task is the same for both the Academic and General Training versions.

Task 2 is worth more points, so it's essential to spend more time on it. Your writing will be assessed for coherence, grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, and task response.

The IELTS Speaking Test

The Speaking section takes about 11–14 minutes and consists of three parts. This section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner:

• Part 1: The examiner asks you general questions about yourself and your life, such as your hobbies, work, and family.
• Part 2: You are given a topic to speak about for 1–2 minutes after a minute of preparation time. You must speak continuously about the topic.
• Part 3: The examiner asks questions related to the topic in Part 2, encouraging you to discuss more complex ideas and issues.

The Speaking section is the same for both the Academic and General Training versions of IELTS. The examiner will evaluate your fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical accuracy.

How IELTS is Scored

IELTS is scored on a scale of 1 to 9 for each of the four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You will also receive an overall band score, which is the average of the four section scores. The scores are as follows:

• Band 9: Expert user
• Band 8: Very good user
• Band 7: Good user
• Band 6: Competent user
• Band 5: Modest user
• Band 4: Limited user
• Band 3: Extremely limited user
• Band 2: Intermittent user
• Band 1: Non-user

Each institution or immigration authority will have its own minimum score requirements, so it's important to research the specific score you need for your intended purpose.

Why Take the IELTS Exam?

IELTS is widely accepted by educational institutions, employers, and immigration authorities around the world. Whether you're applying for university admission, looking for job opportunities, or seeking immigration to an English-speaking country, IELTS provides a reliable and standardized way to demonstrate your English language skills.

It's also important to note that IELTS is recognized by over 10,000 organizations worldwide, including top universities, employers, and government agencies.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam

Preparation for the IELTS exam can make a big difference in your score. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• Practice each section regularly to build familiarity with the question types and time limits.
• Improve your vocabulary and grammar by reading books, listening to podcasts, and watching English-language media.
• Take practice tests to assess your strengths and weaknesses, and focus on areas that need improvement.
• Consider enrolling in an IELTS preparation course for expert guidance and personalized feedback.