Why take IELTS?

If you are looking to work, live or study in an English-speaking country, then you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language ability.

English is the third most spoken language in the world, with 379 million speakers worldwide.

Being able to communicate in the native language of the country you wish to work or study in, has a wide range of benefits. It is also essential for job opportunities as well as integration into the community.

IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is globally recognised by more than 11,000 employers, universities, schools and immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.

IELTS score scale

What IELTS score do I need?

The higher you can score in your IELTS, reflects a better understanding and ability to communicate in English. Each immigration body, university, workplace or institution will have specific IELTS score requirements. The score you need will depend on what you are looking to do in the country, i.e work or study.

How IELTS is developed

IELTS is developed to provide a fair and accurate assessment of English language proficiency.

Test questions are developed by language specialists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The test covers four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

IELTS test content reflects everyday situations. It is unbiased and fair to all test takers from all backgrounds.

TOEFL -Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL iBT Test Content, Structure and Administration

The TOEFL test measures all four academic skills — reading, listening, speaking and writing — the way they’re used in the classroom. The language used in the test closely reflects how English is used in everyday academic settings, and the test contains 100% academic content with integrated tasks.

READING

• 2 passages, each 700 words
• multiple-focus passages (compare/contrast, cause/effect)
• 10 questions for each passage
• Estimated Timing: 35 minutes
• Score scale: 0–30

LISTENING

• 3 lectures, some with classroom discussion, each 3–5 minutes, 6 questions each
• 2 conversations, each 3 minutes, 5 questions each
• Estimated Timing: 36 minutes
• Score scale: 0–30

SPEAKING

• 4 tasks
• 1 independent task to express an opinion on a familiar topic
• 3 integrated tasks based on what is read and heard
• Up to 30 seconds to prepare the response, up to 1 minute to respond
• Estimated Timing: 16 minutes
• Score scale: 0–30

WRITING

• 2 tasks:
• 1 20-minute integrated task based on what is read and heard
• 1 10-minute Writing for an Academic Discussion task to state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion
• Estimated Timing: 29 minutes
• scale: 0–30