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IELTS General Training test
To work in or migrate to an English-speaking country, you’ll need to take an English proficiency test. Get ready for your next move with IELTS General Training, the world’s most trusted English test.
What is the IELTS General Training test?
IELTS General Training is for anyone planning to work, undertake vocational training or migrate to an English-speaking country.
The exam tests the four key language skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. Each section uses tasks that assess practical communicative English skills, so you can show that you can successfully fulfil daily workplace tasks.
Whether you’re planning to take up a new role, get a licence to practise, or join a training programme, you can be confident that IELTS General Training will help you succeed.
Why choose British Council IELTS General Training?
IELTS is recognised globally and respected everywhere. Millions of professionals take the IELTS General Training test through British Council 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 for IELTS General Training and more
The British Council offers a choice of test locations, regular test dates, and One Skill Retake for IELTS General Training
Download our essential Guide to the IELTS General Training test
Get your copy of our expert guide to discover what taking IELTS General Training means in more detail, get some helpful tips and understand the IELTS band scores.
IELTS General Training scoring
After taking the test, you will receive an IELTS score that identifies your level of English proficiency. Scores range from 1.0 to 9.0, with high IELTS scores indicating a greater understanding of English.
Employers may have different score requirements when assessing job candidates. Generally, the minimum score for employment falls between 6.0 and 7.0. Achieving higher than the minimum will help you stand out from the competition.
After completing the test, you’ll get an official Test Report Form (TRF). This document verifies your test scores. You may also need to submit copies of your IELTS score to potential employers or visa authorities if you plan to live and work in an English-speaking country.
“I found learning and preparing with British Council IELTS an amazing experience.
I was given the opportunity to prepare very well and in depth; I doubt there is a better language provider than the British Council.”
I was given the opportunity to prepare very well and in depth; I doubt there is a better language provider than the British Council.”
- Test taker
- Belgium
Go further with the IELTS General Training test
IELTS is accepted by more employers, programmes and governments around the world than any other test. Wherever you plan to work or migrate abroad, trust the British Council to open doors for you.
IELTS General Training test: FAQs
We recommend that you prepare for your IELTS General Training 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.
You can take your IELTS General Training 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.
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 the General Training IELTS 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.
Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can take the IELTS General Training test. You can also request a remark (Enquiry on Results) if you believe your score was incorrect.
If you're planning to work or train in an English-speaking country, you'll need to take the IELTS General Training test. You will need to take this test to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK.
Always check official government or institutions' websites to find out which test you should take before booking.
There are lots of excellent resources available online to help you study for the IELTS General Training test. When you book your test with the British Council, you’ll get free access to IELTS Ready Premium, your complete exam preparation toolkit.
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.
IELTS General Training results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
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.
Related pages
Take our free IELTS General Training practice test now and see your band score potential before the real exam
Discover expert resources to prepare for your IELTS General Training test
Everything you need to know about booking and IELTS test with British Council