The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the ability across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for the English Language. IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia.

There are more than 6,000 education institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organisations around the world which consider the IELTS score as a valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.IELTS is best known exam for admission into universities, secondary, vocational and training. IELTS is accepted by universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.The test is taken every year by a million people in the more than 500 locations across 120 countries.

Students can take IELTS test through out the year on one of 48 fixed dates in one of the local test centers. The local test center may offer the test in some or all of these dates. The individual test center may offer IELTS test 1 to 4 times per month depending on the local demand.

The IELTS tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user. Total Test Time is 2 hours 45 minutes.Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The IELTS test is offered in two formats – Academic and General Training.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. However, the Reading and Writing Modules are different between Academic and General Training tests.

The Academic Reading and Writing Modules gauges if a candidate has the ability to study or train in English Medium at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Many undergraduate and postgraduate courses allow admission based on the results of these Modules.

The General Training Reading and Writing Modules on the other hand are designed to assess the basic survival skills in a broad social and education context. They don't measure the the full range of formal language skills, of the candidate, required for academic purposes. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes below the degree level, or for immigration purposes.

Candidates have to explicitly choose between the Academic or General Training Modules. Centres do not provide this information. Also the General Training module is not offered at all test centres.

The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed in one day. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.

The structure of the test is detailed below: