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IELTS Academic test
To study at a university in English, you’ll need to take an English proficiency test. Get ready for your next move with IELTS Academic, the world’s most trusted academic English test.
What is the IELTS Academic test?
To study at a university in an English-speaking country, or one where courses are taught in English, you will need to take the IELTS Academic test.
IELTS Academic tests the four key language skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Each section uses tasks that mirror the use of English in an academic setting, so you can show that you have the English skills to successfully take part in your course.
Whether you’re planning to take an undergraduate or postgraduate course, research shows that students who take IELTS perform better.
Why choose IELTS Academic with the British Council?
IELTS is recognised globally and respected everywhere. Millions of students take the IELTS Academic test every year. Find out why:
We measure what matters, testing how well you can use academic English
Access to our IELTS Ready platform with 40 scored practice tests and more to prepare for your IELTS Academic test.
British Council offers a choice of test locations, regular test dates, and One Skill Retake for IELTS Academic test.
Download our essential Guide to the IELTS Academic test
Get your copy of our expert guide to discover what taking IELTS Academic means in more detail, get some helpful tips and understand the IELTS band scores.
“I'm totally satisfied with my experience of taking IELTS with the British Council. The test was conducted in a convenient and professional manner. I'd definitely recommend it to those planning to relocate to an English-speaking country. The test was conducted in a convenient and professional manner. I'd definitely recommend it to those planning to relocate to an English-speaking country.”
- Test-taker
- Philippines
Go further with the IELTS Academic test
IELTS is accepted by more institutions, employers and governments around the world than any other test. Whether you plan to study at home or abroad, trust the British Council to open doors for you.
IELTS Academic test: FAQs
You should take IELTS Academic if you are:
- Applying to universities or colleges abroad
- Seeking professional registration (e.g., healthcare, engineering)
- Applying for a student visa in certain countries
The IELTS Academic test assesses four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS Listening: This component tests how well you understand spoken English. You will have 30 mins to listen to four audio files and answer a total of 40 questions.
IELTS Reading: This component assesses your English reading skills. You will have 60 minutes to read a number of different texts and answer a total of 40 questions.
IELTS Writing: This component assesses how well you can write in English. You will have 60 minutes to complete two writing tasks.
IELTS Speaking: This component tests your spoken English via a live conversation with an official IELTS examiner. Over an 11-14-minute period, you will cover three spoken tasks.
The IELTS test assesses four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS Listening: This component tests how well you understand spoken English.
IELTS Reading: This component assesses your English reading skills.
IELTS Writing: This component assesses how well you can write in English.
IELTS Speaking: This component tests your spoken English via a live conversation with an official IELTS examiner.
For more information, visit our How does the IELTS format work page.
You can take your IELTS Academic test at one of over 1,600 locations in more than 140 countries. This may be at a British Council test centre or at one of our hundreds of partner sites around the world. Visit our booking portal to check availability at your local test centre.
We recommend that you prepare for your IELTS Academic test by practising your English language skills, familiarising yourself with the test format and trying the different task types that you’ll come across in the test.
You can do all of this with IELTS Ready Premium, our complete exam preparation toolkit, which is free when you book your test with the British Council.
We also offer intensive teacher-led IELTS Coach courses and a familiarisation test. If you are not ready to book yet, you can sign up for IELTS Ready Member and start familiarising yourself with the test for free.
Once your test score is ready, you’ll be able to find it on the Test Taker Portal. It takes 1-5 days to get your score if you took IELTS Academic test on Computer, but you will usually receive it in 2 days. It can take up to 14 days for your score to arrive if you took IELTS on Paper.
You’ll receive an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) with your overall band score (between 1-9), as well as your scores for each section of the exam.
There is no specific ‘passing’ score for the IELTS Academic test. Each university has its own requirements. It is important to check the score required by the programme that you are applying for entry to.
Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can take the IELTS Academic test. You can also request a remark (Enquiry on Results) if you believe your score was incorrect.
IELTS Academic results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
Related pages
Discover expert resources to help you prepare for your IELTS Academic test
These sample tests give you the opportunity to experience each section of the IELTS Academic exam; Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Everything you need to know about booking and IELTS test with British Council