IELTS Exam 2024: Registration, Test Dates & Centres, Preparation Tips, Results & Score

The IELTS syllabus is divided into four major sections, IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Each IELTS section has its own structure. For example, the IELTS listening section consists of four recordings, which include two conversations and two monologues. The Reading section of the IELTS exam has three passages for both Academic and General. The Writing section of IELTS consists of two tasks, one needs to describe visual information (graphs, charts) in at least 150 words in task 1, and then task 2 requires writing an essay in at least 250 words for both Academic and General Training. The Speaking section is divided into three parts, introduction, task card and then discussion. 

There is no pass or fail in the IELTS exam. Students taking the IELTS exam are graded on their performance in the IELTS test using Bands from 1 – 9 for each skill of the test: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Candidates would also receive an overall band score which would be the average of all the individual scores received by the candidate and rounded to the nearest half band. The IELTS exam does not have a passing score. Universities abroad would have an IELTS minimum score requirement which is often referred to as the IELTS cut-off. This is the minimum score that candidates need to achieve to apply to the university. Candidates should note that getting the minimum IELTS score does not guarantee admission to the university. Candidates are required to score higher than the expected IELTS cut-off.

There is no specific eligibility criterion for taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. It is open to individuals of all ages and educational backgrounds who wish to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone seeking immigration or work opportunities in English-speaking countries, you are eligible to take the IELTS. There are no prerequisites such as educational qualifications, age restrictions, or prior language learning experience. The IELTS is accessible to anyone who wants to showcase their English language proficiency. However, it is preferable that students above the age of 16 appear for the exam. 

Conducted by IDP, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the world’s most popular English language proficiency tests for candidates looking to pursue higher education abroad and global migration. The IELTS exam is available in two formats. The IELTS Academic and the IELTS General.

The IELTS Academic test is designed for candidates looking to pursue higher education across universities and colleges abroad. The IELTS General Test is for candidates who are looking to migrate to an English-speaking country such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK among others.

The IELTS exam evaluates the English speaking, writing, listening and reading skills of the candidate. Your total IELTS score will be a combination of the band scores from the four sections. You will receive IELTS scores based on each of the four skills on a band of 1 – 9, and you will also be awarded an overall band score. You can score whole (example 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (example 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

Shiksha Study Abroad has introduced a new, 1-month free online IELTS course to help students prepare for their IELTS Exam. Students associated with Shiksha get complementary free IELTS training for a month. This programme aims to help students prepare for studying abroad without any additional costs.

Starting in early February 2024, the course has already attracted over 1,000+ participants. Shiksha Study Abroad reports impressive results: 80% of students have succeeded in their goals, with the average participant achieving an IELTS score of 7.0. 

Key Features of Free IELTS Training

Some of the key features of the Shiksha Study Abroad Free IELTS Training programme typically include:

• Live online classes are accessible from anywhere and on any device
• 1 Month Free Training - Option to choose from Weekend and Weekday Batches
• Learn from experienced British Council and Cambridge-certified trainers
• Coverage of all IELTS modules: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking
• Option for students to retake classes if needed at 0 cost
• Mock Tests for the students to practice before the exam

The IELTS exam is difficult for candidates who come unprepared to take the exam. IELTS test takers looking to take the IELTS exam are required to focus on speaking, listening, writing and reading skills in the English language.

Candidates who practice speaking English regularly will find the IELTS English-speaking section easy. In the IELTS listening section, candidates are required to listen to what is being said and then answer the questions. Many people find the listening section tough especially if they have not come prepared.

The IELTS writing section requires candidates to complete two writing tasks in under an hour. Candidates are required to complete Writing Task 1 in 20 minutes and Writing Task 2 in 40 minutes and also fulfil the word count. In the reading section, candidates are required to answer 40 questions in one hour and the vocabulary skills of the candidate are assessed.

A good IELTS score can vary depending on your specific goals, such as study abroad requirements, visa applications, or employment opportunities. Different institutions and organizations may have different score requirements, so it is essential to research and understand the specific score expectations for your intended purpose. In general, a score of 6.5 or higher is considered a good IELTS score. However, this may differ based on the individual's needs and the requirements of the institution or organisation they are applying to.

Some universities and programs may have higher score requirements, especially for competitive programs or fields of study. It is crucial to review the score requirements of the institutions or organizations you are interested in and aim to achieve a score that meets their criteria. Additionally, consider your own personal goals and requirements when determining what constitutes a good IELTS score for you. Get more details at What is a good IELTS score?

The IELTS Academic is available to test takers in the computer-delivered format and the IELTS paper-delivered format. Test-takers who opt for the IELTS computer-based test take the Listening, Writing, and Reading sections of the exam on a computer. While test-takers who opt for the IELTS paper-based test are required to take the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections on paper with either HB pencils or a pen. The Speaking section for both formats of the test is conducted face-to-face with a professional IELTS examiner. Read the Difference Between IELTS on computer vs IELTS on paper.

The IELTS exam is widely popular in many English-speaking countries such as Canada, the UK, Australia and the USA. A majority of US universities accept IELTS scores. Candidates can check on the university's official website or connect with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors to learn about English language requirements for universities across the USA.

Yes. Candidates looking to study undergraduate courses abroad can take the IELTS exam in their Class 12 or after completing their Class 12. IDP - the conducting body of the IELTS exam in India does not mention any eligibility criteria for candidates looking to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. However, it is recommended that test takers be 16 years and above to appear for the IELTS exam.  

Conducted by IDP - the IELTS exam is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests for candidates looking to study or migrate to English-speaking countries abroad. Candidates looking to pursue higher education abroad must apply for the IELTS Academic test. Candidates looking to travel abroad for work or migration will be required to go ahead and appear for the IELTS General Training Test. IELTS Academic scores also play an important role in the Student Visa application process. 

After learning the complete format familiarize yourself with all the topics that you need to cover while preparing for the test. You can get online practice tests and make sure to do it while following the time. Prepare for the Listening test by listening to the audio recordings. Similarly, prepare for the Reading and Writing sections accordingly. Make sure you do as much practice as possible in order to get a decent IELTS score.

The IELTS Academic is available to test takers in the computer-delivered format and the IELTS paper-delivered format. Test-takers who opt for the IELTS computer-based test take the Listening, Writing, and Reading sections of the exam on a computer. While test-takers who opt for the IELTS paper-based test are required to take the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections on paper with either HB pencils or a pen. The Speaking section for both formats of the test is conducted face-to-face with a professional IELTS examiner. Read the Difference Between IELTS on computer vs IELTS on paper.

The test has been designed to assess how ready students are to begin studying or training in an environment where English is a primary language of communication. There are four sections to the IELTS Academic exam - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. While the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are held on the same day, one after another, without any breaks. The Speaking test may be scheduled on the same day or any day up to a week before or after the test date. To book the Speaking test, candidates are required to book a slot online on their preferred date and time. If the candidate fails to choose a slot within the stated time period, a time slot will be automatically allocated to them. The IELTS Academic is available on paper and computer-delivered modules and candidates can select any one based on their convenience. The IELTS Academic Fee is INR 16, 250 and the total duration of the IELTS Academic is 2 hours and 45 minutes. 

The full form of the IELTS exam is the International English Language Testing System. The IELTS exam is conducted by IDP and is available in two formats. The IELTS Academic is for candidates looking to study abroad and the IELTS General Training is for aspirants who are looking to migrate to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the US and the UK or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment. the main purpose of the IELTS is to evaluate a candidate’s abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking in the English language in under three hours.

IELTS Writing is an essential part of an IELTS exam that you need to take to study abroad. The test is designed to assess a wide range of writing skills of the candidates. Great writing is the backbone of communication and it is necessary for students. To get good band scores on the writing test, students can check IELTS Writing Tips and start the preparation.

The IELTS Academic Test is taken by students who are looking to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses in universities and colleges in an English-speaking country. The advantages of taking the IELTS exam include:

• The IDP IELTS test facility is available in over 140 countries thus providing you with maximum accessibility to the IELTS exam
• The IELTS exam is accepted by over 11,000 organisations throughout the world
• The IELTS scoring mechanism ensures that all tests are scored fairly and accurately. Candidates should note that scores of the  IELTS on Computer are delivered in 3 - 5 days and it takes 13 calendar days for IELTS Paper based scores to be made available to test takers.
• IELTS Scores also add weight to your PR applications and prove to be helpful at every stage of your career

The IELTS does not have any specific educational eligibility criteria. It is open to individuals of all educational backgrounds who wish to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Whether you have completed high school, hold a bachelor's degree, or have any other level of education, you are eligible to take the IELTS exam. The focus of the IELTS is on assessing your English language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking, rather than evaluating your educational qualifications. The exam is designed to be accessible to individuals from various educational backgrounds, providing an opportunity for anyone to showcase their English language proficiency.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) does not have a minimum eligibility criterion in terms of age or educational qualifications. It is open to individuals of all ages and educational backgrounds who wish to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone seeking immigration or work opportunities in English-speaking countries, you can take the IELTS. The exam assesses your English language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and there are no specific prerequisites or minimum requirements to meet before registering for the exam. Any individual can choose to take the IELTS based on their personal goals and needs.

The minimum age for taking the IELTS exam is 16 years. Anyone over the age of 16 can take the IELTS Test irrespective of nationality or background. IDP - the conducting body of the IELTS exam has not officially declared a minimum age limit to take the IELTS exam, but it is preferred that the aspirant should have crossed 16 years of age. IELTS - an English language proficiency exam is a requirement for candidates looking to pursue higher education abroad. And since, IELTS scores are valid for a period of 2 years, candidates who take the IELTS exam in Class 10 would have to appear again after completing their Class 12 if they plan on studying abroad. 

There is no specific eligibility criterion for taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. It is open to individuals of all ages and educational backgrounds who wish to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone seeking immigration or work opportunities in English-speaking countries, you are eligible to take the IELTS. There are no prerequisites such as educational qualifications, age restrictions, or prior language learning experience. The IELTS is accessible to anyone who wants to showcase their English language proficiency. However, it is preferable that students above the age of 16 appear for the exam. 

The registration period for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam opens several months in advance, allowing candidates to secure their preferred test date and location. It is recommended to register for the exam as soon as possible to ensure availability and to provide sufficient time for preparation. Test centers often have limited seats, particularly during peak periods, so early registration increases the likelihood of securing a spot on the desired test date. To find the specific registration details and timelines for the IELTS exam in your location, you can visit the official IELTS website or contact the test center where you plan to take the exam.

The IELTS registration fees for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam is INR 17,000.  Candidates looking to book their IELTS Academic are required to pay INR 17,000. The IELTS exam fee is the same for both IELTS paper-delivered test and the IELTS computer-delivered test. Also, candidates are advised to check the IDP IELTS website at the time of IELTS registration as it is important to note that IELTS exam fees are subject to change. 

Candiadates have to only submit a valid passport and your national ID card during the time of IELTS registration. In the case of absence of any of a national ID proof, one have to submit the documents required while applying for the passport.

To register for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam from India, prospective test takers are required to follow these steps:

• Candidates are required to log into their IDP IELTS India website
• They would be then required to select: 'Register for IELTS' to create their IDP IELTS Login
• Candidates would be required to select their preferred test – computer-delivered IELTS/ paper-based (IELTS, IELTS for UKVI or Life Skills)
• Candidates would be then required to select their test type/module – Academic or General Training for IELTS, IELTS for UKVI, A1 and B1 for Life Skills (be extremely careful while choosing the module you wish to take)
• Candidates are required to pick their desired test location/city (from the available IELTS test centres in India)
• On completion of the above-mentioned steps, candidates would find a list of dates available for their preferences. Select your desired date and time slot
• Candidates would be required to fill up their details and complete their online application. Remember, you will also have to upload a clear, scanned colour copy of your passport to complete the process
• Candidates would be then required to pay the IELTS exam fee of INR 16,250
• Once your test date is booked, candidates will receive an acknowledgement on their registered email/phone number. For the Speaking test, you can book a slot online on your preferred date and time (Only applicable for Paper-based IELTS). If you fail to choose a slot within the stated time period, a time slot will be automatically allocated to you.

No, you don't need to register for the IELTS test before booking a slot. The booking process itself serves as your registration. You'll provide your personal details and choose your test type and date during the booking process.

Candidates looking to cancel their IELTS exam fee can check out the charges below:

• If you cancel your IELTS application more than five weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus a 25% administrative fee.
• If you cancel the IELTS exam less than five weeks ahead of the test date, you will receive no refund.
• In case you fail to appear for the test, then also you will not receive any refund. This is also considered a cancellation.

Those who can produce a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date can receive a refund after deducting the local administrative cost.

Candidates looking to take the IELTS Academic or General Tests will have to pay a certain IELTS fee which is tabulated bwlow for reference:

Thus, based on the type of IELTS exam, applicants will have to pay the corresponding fee. 

IELTS test takers who are not satisfied with their IELTS results can apply for an IELTS exam revaluation. Referred to as 'Enquiries on Results (EOR) - which means having your IELTS test re-marked. Candidates would be required to submit their EOR application online by visiting their candidate login section. No physical (offline) applications for EOR would be accepted. Test takers are required to raise this request within six weeks of their test date. Candidates can choose to have one or more parts of their test re-marked. The fee is the same regardless. Currently, the IELTS Exam Revaluation Fee is INR 12,200 (inclusive of all taxes). Note, candidates would be entitled to receive a full refund if their IELTS score is changed to a higher band score.

No. Candidates looking to take the IELTS exam are required to book their IELTS exam dates at least 3 days before the test date. As part of the IELTS registration process, candidates would need to keep their valid passport and credit/debit cards handy to complete the IDP IELTS registration process. It is usually advised that candidates book their IELTS exam at least 1 – 2 months in advance to ensure availability of test dates and give yourself enough time to prepare.

IELTS test dates are conducted throughout the year in India. The IELTS computer-based test is conducted on all days of the month excluding national holidays and major festivals. The IELTS paper-based test is conducted 4 times a month or 48 times a year on Thursdays and Saturdays. Candidates can check out the available IELTS test dates on our website or IDP IELTS India.

The IELTS computer-delivered test is conducted on all days of the week including weekends. However, national holidays and major festivals are days when no IELTS test is held. When we talk about the IELTS paper-delivered test. The IELTS on paper is held four times a month and 48 times a year. They are mainly held on Saturdays and Thursdays. 

Currently, IDP has multiple IELTS test centes spread across 75 cities in India providing a seamless IELTS testing experience to candidates. The best IELTS center would be the one that is the nearest to the candidate and have his/her preferred date for the IELTS test. IELTS test centers are present in:

Booking an IELTS exam centre is not very difficult. Applicants can either register for the chosen IELTS exam centre online or go to the nearest IDP kiosk and choose for one. 75+ IELTS exam centres are available across various Indian cities. Thus, applicants will be able to book their IELTS test centres easily based on the available exam centres in India. When applicants will be registering on IDP's website for IELTS exam, they can directly choose their exam centre and register for the exam. On the other hand, when registering offline, people at IDP can help applicants choose their exam centres.

Choosing an ideal IELTS test centre includes four broad questions:

1. Is the IELTS exam centre nearby?
2. Can you reach your IELTS test centre in minimum possible time?
3. Will you be comfortable giving your IELTS exam in the chosen exam centre?
4. If the exam centre is available for your preferred IELTS exam type?

Based on these four questions, applicants can choose their IELTS test centres. Also, applicants should register well in advance so that, their preferred IELTS test centre is available for testing.

Applicants can request for a change in IELTS exam centre or even IELTS exam dates atleast 5 weeks before the exam. Applicants can log on to the portal where they registered for the exam and look for the option to change or transfer IELTS exam dates or centre. This is only applicable 5 weeks before the chosen exam date and applicants do so only if they need it urgently. Once they are able to select the new preferred IELTS test centre, an additional fee will be charged to make the new changes. 

Please note: It is not always possible to get the preferred IELTS exam centre when changing from the original option. Thus, applicants should be very careful while submitting their applications and preferred choices. 

IELTS exam structure is simple, there are four sections and applicants have to answer questions chronologically for the IELTS sections in the following order:

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

While, the first three sections have to be taken one after the other, Speaking section can be taken on that very day or it can be after 2-3 days of the exam. Unless the Speaking section is completed, the IELTS exam shall not be deemed as completed. 

No, the IELTS exam pattern is not changing in 2024. The IELTS exam pattern was restructured in 2022 and since then no changes have been propsed. Thus, applicants preparing for IELTS exam - Academic or General, can prepare with the current IELTS exam pattern guidelines only. 

The IELTS exam pattern is divided into four sections namely: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All four sections have a different pattern which does not coincide with one another. The type of questions are also different for each of the sections on IELTS. Let us understand the IELTS exam pattern elaborated in the table below for Academic Test takers:

The topics in the Writing section are test takers who are suitable for undergraduate and postgraduates looking to get into universities.

IELTS Writing Task 1 - The test taker gets 60 minutes to complete both tasks. One task is for 20 minutes and the other is for 40 minutes. On the IELTS Academic Module, in Task 1, a candidate has to write a summary of at least 150 words of a:

• Table or,
• Graph or,
• Process or,
• Map

Any of the above-given types of questions can be tested, thus applicants should be prepared for it.  

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General Training Modules, and involves an essay of at least 250 words. Candidates will be asked to write an essay in response to an argument, problem, or point of view. Make sure to give responses to both tasks formally.

The IELTS Listening section format is designed in the following manner:

Candidates listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write their answers to the list of questions.

• Recording 1 - a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context
• Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context
• Recording 3 - a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context
• Recording 4 - a monologue on any academic subject

Types of IELTS Listening Questions

• Matching
• Multiple-choice questions
• Sentence completion
• Short answer questions

The IELTS Speaking section monitors the spoken English of the candidate. Every test is recorded. Check out the format of the IELTS Speaking section below:

Applicants can prepare for the Speaking section on IELTS based on the above mentioned format.

Three long texts range from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical. The texts are selected from magazines, journals, newspapers, and books for those looking to enter universities. Apart from the IELTS format, we have also given the types of questions below.

Types of IELTS Reading Questions

• Identifying information
• Matching features
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions
• Identifying the author’s claims
• Multiple choice questions
• Note completion
• Diagram label questions
• Matching information & Sentence endings

There are two tasks on IELTS Writing section, syllabus of which is as follows:

Task 1 (Report Writing): IELTS Wrtiting Syllabus

This is report writing tested on Task 1. Applicants have to describe in 150 words for a given graph, diagram, table, cycles (or maps) or data sets. 

Task 2 (Essay): IELTS Writing Syllabus

Here, applicants have to write a 250 words long essay on a given point of view, argument or, problem.

Applicants should practice writing section by analysing and describing different types of data sets, diagrams (maps) or table types for task 1. While, the second task's syllabus requires applicants to prepare on the lines of elaborating on a given point view (right or wrong with strong statements), problem (how to solve them) and arguments (which require a specific and strong response).

The subject of IELTS Reading section on the Academic IELTS is based on common topics of interest. These topics are mostly academically sourced topics that make up the three passages on this section. The topics on which the IELTS Readin section are tested can be from different subjects of:

• Science & Engineering
• Social Science
• Technology
• Business
• Humanities
• Environment
• Education
• Psychology
• Economics
• Agriculture

The list is endless and the topics can vary at large for IELTS Academic - Reading section. Thus, applicants can prepare for the IELTS Reading section and can find material at: IELTS Reading: Practice Test with Answers

In the IELTS Speaking test there is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and the examiner. The Speaking test includes 3 parts which are mentioned above. Here, candidates are assessed on the following parameters:

• Grammar
• Pronunciation
• Lexical resource
• Fluency

The Speaking test is recorded and marked based on the applicant's performance. Applicants should be careful how they attempt this section. Confidence, diction, pronunciation and the use of correct words is important to ace this section. 

IELTS Listening test has 4 parts including 10 questions in every part. Part one and two of the test includes everyday social situations whereas part three and four includes educational situations. The questions are in sequence as the information provided in the recording, therefore, the answer for the first question will be before the second.

The duration of the IELTS preparation would depend on the English knowledge of the candidates. Candidates who have a good understanding of the English language would require less duration as compared to weak candidates. During the 15 days of IELTS preparation, make sure that you solve as many sample questions and sample PDFs as possible. Since the time is short, you must understand how to attempt the test. The task is achievable, and with hard work and focus, you will be able to crack the IELTS in 15 days. Candidates can take the IELTS Academic from an IELTS-designated test center or opt for the IELTS Online exam. Candidates would be required to pay an IELTS exam fee of INR 16, 250.

Each exam has its own preparation technique, which also changes the treatment of exam day. Planning your exam day and preparing for strategies to crack the question paper is equally essential as studying for the exam is. Therefore, it is as important to be exam-day-ready as it is to be prepared with its syllabus. Check out the IELTS exam day tips before you go to the examination hall.

IELTS is designed to assess English language skills at all levels. Your total IELTS score will be a combination of the band scores from the four sections. You will receive IELTS scores based on each of the four skills on a band of 1 – 9, and you will also be awarded an overall band score. You can score whole (example 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (example 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test. You need to have some idea about how the scoring pattern works to better understand how your IELTS score will be calculated.

The table mentioned below shows how to read the IELTS score banding

Taking the IELTS exam opens doors of opportunities! More than 11,000 organizations across 140 countries accept IELTS. These include professional organizations, schools, colleges, and universities. This test will clearly monitor the use of the English language by the aspirant at work, and study, which reflects how the aspirant will manage communication abroad. It is the most popular English language test with more than 3 million IELTS exams being taken every year.

• MS Colleges Accepting IELTS scores
• MBA Colleges Accepting IELTS scores

Once you are done with the IELTS, then comes your wait for the result. The good thing about these exams is that the results are usually declared within a fortnight. In this case, if you have given the computer-based exam, your results will be declared within 3-5 days or within a week.

• Offline Mode: For offline or paper-based tests, you will receive your results within 13 calendar days from the day of your exam.
• Online Mode: Candidates will receive the results of computer-delivered tests within 3-5 days. On the day of your result, you will receive an intimation from your Test Centre about the results. You can simply log in with your ID, password, passport number, and test date information to view your result. From the time of declaration of the result, your results will be available online for the next 28 days