What is IELTS and what is it for?
Facts last checked against official sources on October 7, 2026.
Short answer
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international English test jointly owned by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It tests listening, reading, writing and speaking on a 0–9 band scale and is used above all for university and migration applications to the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Test format
The test takes about 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening and Speaking are the same in Academic and General Training; Reading and Writing differ. Speaking is face to face with an examiner.
| Section | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 40 questions in 4 parts |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 tasks; Task 2 counts twice as much |
| Speaking | 11–14 minutes | Face to face with an examiner, 3 parts |
Sources
Dates and rules can change. Check the organiser’s official page before you apply; that page is binding.
Start preparing for IELTS today
Take the free level test to see where you stand; Prepina builds a 10–20 minute daily plan around your exam date.