IELTS. The world's most trusted English test
Accepted by more governments and organisations than any other English test, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) gets you anywhere. With the British Council, you'll get support at every step of your journey.
Prepare with confidence
Whether you're thinking about booking your test or already have a test date, IELTS Ready provides free preparation and support throughout your IELTS journey.
More locations, more choice
With over 1,800 test centres worldwide and more test dates than any other provider, it's easy to find an IELTS test that fits around your life.
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4m+IELTS test takers achieve their goals each year
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13,500+organisations and institutions recognise IELTS globally
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100+countries with IELTS test centres
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90+years of experience in English language teaching
How does IELTS work?
We're here to help you every step of the way.
Choose either IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, or IELTS UKVI depending on your needs.
Choose from over 800 test centres worldwide, with regular test dates and last-minute availability to fit your schedule.
We'll help you prepare for the test with the free preparation and practice materials.
Choose the format that works best for you. Sit IELTS on computer at a test centre, or take IELTS Online from the comfort of home.
Check your results and share them with your school, employer or other organisation.
Study, work or move abroad with us
IELTS opens doors in more than 100 countries. It is recognised by over 13,500 universities, employers and governments worldwide. Wherever you want to go, IELTS gets you there.
Move to the UK with IELTS. Explore universities, work culture, living costs and visas by accessing our essential guides to studying and working in the UK:
Planning to study or work in Canada? For more information on visas and employment opportunities, discover our expert guides to studying and working in Canada:
Everything you need to know about moving to the USA for work or study with IELTS. Explore our free guides to studying and working in the USA:
Plan your move with IELTS. Explore universities, work opportunities and visas by reading our expert guides to studying and working in Australia:
Find out which test you need
The right IELTS test for you depends on whether you plan to work or study abroad. Discover which one you need to achieve your goals.
IELTS Academic is for students applying to university, higher education and professional registration. Check out our free guide to the IELTS Academic test.
IELTS General Training is designed for work and migration to an English-speaking country. Access our free guide to the IELTS General Training test.
IELTS for UKVI supports UK visa and immigration applications with approved test formats.
Ready to take the next step?
Book your IELTS test with the British Council today. Find the right test, date and location for you in just a few simple steps.
How can the British Council support your IELTS journey?
IELTS has been the gold standard for English language tests for more than 35 years, and with over 90 years of experience supporting English learning worldwide, the British Council knows what it takes to succeed at IELTS. We offer support at every step, so you can feel confident on test day.
A trusted provider
Recognised by more than 13,500 universities, governments and employers worldwide, it’s the English test you can trust to take you anywhere.
Start preparing for free
Book your IELTS test with the British Council and get access to IELTS Ready Premium, our complete preparation package. With over 40 practice tests, courses, videos and expert resources, you'll have everything you need to prepare with confidence at no extra cost.
Not ready to book yet? You can start preparing with IELTS Ready for free at any time.
Just missed your target score on one skill?
With IELTS One Skill Retake, you can resit just one skill: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking, instead of retaking the whole test. Focus on improving the score that matters most.
- Aekthada Chivakanit
IELTS tips from the British Council
Read our articles to find inspiration for where IELTS can take you, advice from previous takers and more
Learning English idioms can improve your fluency and help you express yourself in more interesting ways.
This guide will show you the key differences between formal and informal styles, help you understand the British and American date formats, and explain what’s expected in IELTS Writing.
You may wonder how you’ll ever process the large amounts of text the IELTS Reading exam contains – but don’t fear! If you want to improve your reading skills for the IELTS Reading test, learning about skimming and scanning is an important step.
Mastering a wide range of advanced English words is essential if you’re aiming to become fluent in English and pass your IELTS test with a high score.
When you’re learning English, it’s important to be aware that there are two different registers or types to master: formal vs informal English.
Do you know how to expand your vocabulary without word lists? Having a large and diverse knowledge of words and their meanings helps you to express your thoughts clearly and accurately.
Phrasal verbs are a very common and useful part of spoken and written English. They are two or three-word expressions that combine a verb with a preposition, adverb (or both) to take on a new meaning.
A big factor for both clarity and formality in English is the use of active and passive voice. Every time you speak or write in English, the way you structure your sentences shapes how clear and confident you sound.
Capital letters in English writing are important, but are you sure you know how to use them correctly?