IELTS exam material Guide

Academic or General Training
The Academic Reading and Writing Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or work in the medium of English at an undergraduate, postgraduate or professional level.

The General Training Reading and Writing Modules are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. 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 not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General Training Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing this information.

Weighting of components

All four modules are equally weighted.

Results

IELTS provides a Test Report Form giving a profile of ability to use English as assessed by the Test. A score in each of the four modules, and an overall score, are recorded as levels of ability, called Bands. These Band Scores are recorded on the candidate's Test Report Form. Each Band corresponds to a generalised descriptive statement of a candidate's English at that level. The profile provided on an IELTS Test Report Form is normally valid for a period of two years.

Issuing of results

Marking in centres ensures that results are normally issued within two weeks of a candidate taking the test.

Examination dates

Each of the test centres schedules their administrations to suit local needs. Individual centres should be contacted for their programmes.