What is the IELTS exam?
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is managed by the British Council, and Cambridge, and was established in 1989. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, European, Irish, New Zealand, American institutions, and also by various professional organizations across the world.
IELTS exam includes four different parts:
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• Listening: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time)
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 60 minutes
• Speaking: 11–14 minutes
The test overall takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. Listening, Reading, and Writing are completed in one sitting. The Speaking test may be taken on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests. All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests, while the Reading and Writing tests differ depending on whether the test taker is taking the Academic or General Training versions of the test.