IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international exam that shows how well you use English. People take it to study at a university abroad, get a work visa, migrate, or register in a profession such as medicine. According to ielts.org, it is trusted by governments, employers and thousands of universities around the world.
IELTS is jointly owned by three organisations: the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. You take it at an official British Council or IDP centre. The test and the marking are the same at both; only the cities, dates and booking rules differ.
Types of IELTS
There are several versions, and you don't choose freely: the organisation you apply to tells you which one it accepts. Check its requirements before you book.
| Test | Who it's for | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Bachelor's and master's study, professional registration (doctors, nurses) | All 4 skills |
| IELTS General Training | Migration, work, study below degree level | All 4 skills |
| IELTS for UKVI | UK visas that need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) | All 4 skills, Academic or General Training |
| IELTS for UKVI Life Skills | Some UK visas, such as family visas | Listening and Speaking only |
Most candidates take Academic or General Training. Listening and Speaking are the same in both; Reading and Writing are different. See IELTS Academic vs General Training for the details. If you need IELTS for a UK visa, check your route first: some routes accept only IELTS for UKVI.
What's in the test
IELTS has 4 parts. You take Listening, Reading and Writing one after another, with no break. Speaking is separate: on the same day or a day nearby, depending on the centre. The whole test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.
| Part | Time | What's inside |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 4 recordings, 40 questions. You hear each recording once |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 texts, 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 minutes | Task 1: 150+ words (a chart in Academic, a letter in General Training). Task 2: an essay of 250+ words |
| Speaking | 11–14 minutes | A 3-part conversation with an examiner |
What happens in each part:
- Listening. 4 recordings: an everyday conversation, an everyday talk, a discussion about study and a lecture. You write the answers as you listen. How the number of correct answers turns into a band: IELTS Listening score chart.
- Reading. 3 texts and 40 questions: multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, gap fills. Academic texts come from books and journals; General Training texts range from notices to work documents. The conversion table: IELTS Reading score chart.
- Writing. Two tasks. Task 1 takes about 20 minutes and Task 2 about 40, and Task 2 counts for more. Where to start with the essay: IELTS Writing Task 2.
- Speaking. A live conversation with an examiner, in person or by video call from a room at the test centre. Part 1 is questions about you, Part 2 is a talk from a task card (1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak), and Part 3 is a discussion. More in Speaking Part 2.
How IELTS is scored
Each part gets a band from 0 to 9, in steps of 0.5. Your overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band: 7.0, 6.5, 6.0 and 6.0 average 6.375, so the overall band is 6.5. The rounding rules with examples: how the IELTS score is calculated.
There is no pass mark, so you can't fail IELTS. The university, employer or visa programme sets the result it needs, often as two numbers: an overall band and a minimum for each part, for example "IELTS 6.5, no part below 6.0". Typical requirements are in what is a good IELTS score.
| Overall IELTS band | CEFR level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0–5.0 | B1 | You follow clear speech on familiar topics |
| 5.5–6.5 | B2 | You understand complex texts and talk without strain |
| 7.0–8.0 | C1 | You read and write fluently on complex topics |
| 8.5–9.0 | C2 | You understand almost everything and express fine shades of meaning |
6.5 sits on the border between B2 and C1. Why, and what to write on a CV: IELTS and CEFR levels.
What it costs and where to take it
The price depends on the country, not the test type: Academic and General Training cost the same.
- Kazakhstan: 110,250 tenge at IDP and the British Council, with centres in 18 cities. All fees and booking step by step: IELTS in Kazakhstan.
- Uzbekistan: on 28 September 2026, 2,665,000 som at IDP and 2,798,000 som at the British Council, 35 centres in 12 cities. Details: IELTS in Uzbekistan.
Fees change, so check the price on the booking page on the day you pay. Computer-delivered results arrive in 1 to 5 days; where to find them: IELTS results.
How long a result lasts
IELTS recommends treating a result as valid for 2 years after the test date. But the organisation decides: some accept only results under 2 years old, some accept older ones, and some check the age on a specific date, such as the day you apply. A result can't be renewed; if it's too old, you take the test again. More in IELTS validity.
If one part falls short after a computer-delivered test, you can retake just that part (One Skill Retake) within 60 days. Not every organisation accepts it, so check first.
How to start preparing
- Find the requirements. Test name, overall band, minimum per part and your application deadline.
- Take a full mock test under exam conditions: timed, no pauses. Where to find a free one: IELTS mock test.
- Compare your result with the requirement part by part. The biggest gap is where to start.
- Pick a test date that leaves time to prepare and, if needed, to retake one part.
How long preparation usually takes, and how to choose between a course, a tutor and studying alone: how to prepare for IELTS.
FAQ
What is IELTS?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international English test. People take it to study abroad, work or migrate, and universities, employers and immigration authorities accept the result.
How long is the IELTS test?
About 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken one after another with no break, and Speaking lasts 11 to 14 minutes on the same day or a day nearby.
Can you fail IELTS?
No. IELTS has no pass mark: each part gets a band from 0 to 9. Whether your result is enough is decided by the organisation you apply to.
How much does IELTS cost in Kazakhstan?
110,250 tenge for IELTS Academic or General Training on computer, the same at IDP and the British Council. IELTS for UKVI costs 123,000 tenge.
How long is an IELTS result valid?
IELTS recommends treating a result as valid for 2 years after the test. The organisation you apply to sets the exact limit, and a result can't be renewed.
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
Listening and Speaking are the same. Academic Reading uses texts from books and journals and Writing Task 1 is a chart; General Training uses everyday and work texts, and Task 1 is a letter.
Where to go next
If you're still choosing a test, compare IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo. If you already need IELTS, the next step is a plan: tell the quiz your target score, your exam date and the part you find hardest, and GoPrep will build a personal study plan.
GoPrep Team
GoPrep guide authors
We write about IELTS preparation using platform data and official exam materials.
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