IELTS: International English Language Testing System
This is the most well-known test and is accepted in most universities across the world. Just like other English proficiency tests this test examines your reading, comprehension, writing, and speaking skills.
Which countries accept
Around 3400 universities in America accept the IELTS test. This is a standard exam in the UK and Australia. Many educational institutions in Canada, Ireland and Europe accept this standard exam.
Format
The format is designed to evaluate your English listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills. You will be made to listen to the spoken language of a native English speaker and then asked questions about it by the end of the test. You are also expected to speak with the moderator about yourself or on any given topic to examine your speaking skills. To check your reading skills, passages will be given to you after which you will be given a set of questions. Writing an essay and expressing infographics like charts, diagrams, etc. form a part of a writing assignment.
Scores: 1-9
While universities have different cut-off scores, most universities look for 5.5 and above. Whereas highly ranked institutions and Ivy League colleges require higher scores, some institutions accept scores higher than 8.
Conducted by
British Council, IDP- IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English.
Duration
The test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes
Results
After 13 days from the date of examination.