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British Council · IDP

IELTSIELTS Academic and IELTS General Training

AcademicGeneral

The exam usually required to study or live in an English-speaking country. It has one version for study and another for migration.

Prepare for the IELTS See the format
VersionsAcademic and General
DurationAbout 2 h 45 min
ResultBands from 0 to 9
ValidityUsually accepted for 2 years

What is the IELTS?

IELTS assesses the English of people who speak it as a second language. The Academic version is required for undergraduate or postgraduate study; General, for migration and work procedures. It's an international exam, not just a British one: in Listening you hear different accents.

  • Applicants to universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries
  • Those applying for a visa or residency, for example in Canada or Australia
  • Professionals who need to prove their English abroad

Exam format

About 30 min · 4 parts · 40 questionsListeningSame in both versions. Several answers are written in two or three words at most.
60 min · 40 questionsReadingAcademic: complex texts, like university ones. General: everyday and general-interest texts.
60 min · 2 tasksWritingAcademic: describe a graph or diagram and write an essay. General: a letter and an essay.
11–14 min · 3 partsSpeakingSame in both versions. Face-to-face interview: fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation are assessed.

Results and level

You get a band from 0 to 9 in each section and an overall band (it can include half bands, such as 6.5). Many universities require between 6.0 and 7.0; for migration, the score depends on the procedure and the country.

What level do you need? For Academic, intermediate to advanced. For General, it depends on the score required. The course trains you for the exam; if you're a beginner, we first raise your level.

How we prepare you

We don't just do mock exams: we work on your weak points and build on your strengths, with plenty of practice so you speak and understand English with confidence.

  • Diagnosis of your strengths and weaknesses before you start
  • Training for each section and each question type
  • Mock exams in the real format, graded so you know when you're ready
  • Writing, listening and conversation workshops
  • Virtual classroom with an audio bank, mock exams and guided practice
  • Reports and feedback after each assessment
One-to-one (1:1)Classes just for you, at the time you choose. 28 hours of preparation.
Group (small group)Practice with other students preparing for the same exam. Opens with a minimum of 4 students.
Book one-to-one Book a group

Ask for the price on WhatsApp. Before you start, an intro class (S/ 50) to assess your level and build your plan around your exam date.

Questions about the IELTS

Can I use American spelling?

Yes. You can use American or British spelling, as long as you don't mix them in the same exam.

How is it different from the TOEFL?

The TOEFL is American and taken on a computer; the IELTS is international and its Speaking is a face-to-face interview. More and more universities accept either one.

Can I take it on paper or on a computer?

Both options exist, depending on the center and the date. The content and difficulty are the same.

Do you run the exam or register me for it?

We prepare you. You sit the exam at a center authorized by the institution that runs it. If you're not sure which exam to take or what score you need, we'll help you find out.

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