Choosing the right test

IELTS has two versions – Academic and General Training. The Academic test is for those who want to study at a tertiary level in an English-speaking country. The General Training test is for those who want to pursue work experience or training programs, secondary school or migrate to an English-speaking country. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.
Contact the organization or institution to which you are applying to find out what it requires. Note that you must know which version to take when you complete the online application process.

Test format

IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests. Click here to learn more.
The Speaking test is a conversation with a certified IELTS Examiner. The Speaking test is made up of three sections. It is recorded on a digital recorder.
You do the Listening test first followed by the Reading and Writing components of the test. Depending on the test center, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date if not held on test day.
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and with no break. Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date if not held on test day. A detailed email confirmation with Speaking Test time and location is provided three days in advance; this email is different from the “no reply” email provided at time of registration.
As IELTS is an international test, a variety of English accents are used in both of these tests.
Yes. At the beginning, you hear instructions. Then you read section 1 questions, listen to section 1 and answer the questions. After the Listening section, you will have 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the answer sheet.
No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

Managing my registration and payment

Use the payment option in our website to make your payment.
For real time information, please refer to your registration portal or contact us for further assistance.
At the time of registration, please upload your passport. If you have not uploaded your passport during registration, please ensure that the passport is uploaded in the next 24 hours.
Test centers make every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you have a special need, send us an email when registering. We may need three months to organize arrangements.
The best way to pay is through the Online Registration System at the time of making your booking. If you already registered and chose to pay later, you can log back in to https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org/login and choose the payment tab. Please note that you have 24 hours to complete your payment to keep your booking. If your payment is not accepted, you can click herefor online payment or visit our centre for credit card or cash payment in person Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm at the addresses found here.
For real time information, please refer to your registration portal or contact us for further assistance.
At the time of registration, please upload your passport. You can scan or take a photo of your passport. If you have not uploaded your passport during registration, please ensure that the passport is uploaded in the next 24 hours.
Test centers make every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you have a special need, send us an email when registering. We may need three months to organize arrangements.

Test day information

Yes, ILSC provides headphones for the listening portions at all venues.
Only transparent water bottle with no label. You must bring the passport/national identity card you used on the IELTS Application Form to the test. You must leave everything else outside the examination room. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. If you do not switch off your phone/pager or keep it on you, you will be disqualified.
No. You must do it in pencil. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot register pen ink.
Yes. The IELTS Examiner will not see your question paper.
Please refer to your registration portal as changes may be made at any given time.
You must bring the same identification documents you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and used for the rest of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.
If you postpone or cancel your application more than 3 days before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration charge. If you postpone or cancel within 3 days of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a medical reason. If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days after the test date, you may receive a refund minus administrative cost. Center will review your case and will inform you if approved. Refer to IELTS cancellation policies for more details.
If you are away on the test day with no prior notice, you will lose your full fee. However, if you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost. Conditions apply, refer to IELTS cancellation policies for more details.