Information
for Candidates
Introducing IELTS
to test takers
www.ielts.org
The test that
opens doors
around the world
This booklet contains
important information
to help you prepare
for your IELTS test.
IELTS, the International English
Language Testing System, is
designed to assess the language
ability of people who want to
study or work where English is
the language of communication.
IELTS is recognised and accepted by
over 9,000 organisations worldwide,
including universities, employers,
professional bodies, immigration
authorities and other government
agencies. For a list of organisations
that accept IELTS scores,
visit www.ielts.org/recognition.
Accessible and convenient
IELTS is offered up to four times a month in more than
130 countries. Tests are held on Saturdays and Thursdays.
To find out test dates in your area, please contact your
nearest IELTS test centre. A list of all IELTS test locations
worldwide is available at www.ielts.org.
The international test
IELTS is internationally focused in its content. For example,
texts and tasks are sourced from publications from all over
the English-speaking world; a range of native-speaker accents
(North American, Australian, New Zealand, British etc.) are
used in the Listening test; and all standard varieties of English
are accepted in test takers’ written and spoken responses.
The test that’s tried and trusted
IELTS has been developed by some of the world’s leading
experts in language assessment, and is supported by
an extensive programme of research, validation and
test development.
The level of the test
IELTS is designed to assess English language skills across
a wide range of levels. There is no such thing as a pass or
fail in IELTS. Results are reported as band scores on a scale
from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
The IELTS band score scale
9
Expert user
8
Very good user
7
Good user
6
Competent user
5
Modest user
4...