The IELTS exam measures English ability in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The correct test depends on whether you are applying for university study, professional registration, work, migration or a UK visa.
This guide was checked on 25 August 2026 against IELTS and UK government guidance. A major delivery change is under way: IELTS announced that paper-based testing would end from mid-2026, with exact timelines varying by market. All standard test-centre IELTS tests are moving to computer, although selected markets may offer Writing on Paper as part of an otherwise computer-delivered test.
IELTS Exam at a Glance
| Detail | Current position |
|---|---|
| Main versions | IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training |
| Skills tested | Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Approximate total test time | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Score scale | 0–9, including half bands |
| Standard test-centre delivery | Moving to computer across markets from mid-2026 |
| Speaking | Live interview with an examiner |
| Fees | Vary by country, centre and test type |
| IELTS on computer results | 1–5 days according to IELTS |
| Recommended score-validity period | Two years, although organisations set their own policy |
Which IELTS Test Should You Take?
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is normally the relevant test for undergraduate or postgraduate study in English and for some professional registrations. Reading and Writing use academic contexts. Always check the exact test and component scores accepted by the institution or regulator.
IELTS General Training
General Training is commonly used for migration to an English-speaking country and for training or study below degree level. Listening and Speaking are the same as Academic, while Reading and Writing differ.
IELTS for UKVI
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration is a Secure English Language Test, or SELT, delivered with additional security controls. UKVI tests must be taken in person at an approved UKVI test centre. The version and CEFR level required depend on the visa route.
Do not assume every UK university applicant needs IELTS for UKVI. A university may be permitted to assess English itself for some routes, while another visa or course situation may require an approved SELT. Check your university and the current GOV.UK SELT guidance before booking.
IELTS Online
IELTS Online is a remotely delivered Academic test available in selected countries. IELTS states that it is suitable for academic purposes but not currently accepted for migration. Receiving organisations choose whether to accept an online result, so obtain confirmation before paying.
Our IELTS format guide compares Academic, General Training, UKVI and delivery modes in more detail.
What Changed in 2026?
On 5 March 2026, IELTS announced that it would stop offering IELTS as a paper-based test from mid-2026. The transition date varies by market, so some older official pages may still mention paper testing while local availability changes.
The change does not alter the four skills, test construct, question types or score interpretation. In selected countries, candidates can choose Writing on Paper: Listening and Reading remain on computer, Speaking remains with an examiner, and only the Writing answers are handwritten. This option is not available for IELTS for UKVI.
Use the official ways to take IELTS page and your local booking screen for the options actually available where you live.
IELTS Exam Format
| Section | Time | Main structure |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 4 parts, 40 questions, recording heard once |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 sections, 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 tasks; Task 2 carries more weight |
| Speaking | 11–14 minutes | 3-part interview with an examiner |
Listening and Speaking are the same for Academic and General Training. Reading and Writing are different. Academic Writing Task 1 describes visual information; General Training Task 1 is a letter. Both versions use an essay for Task 2.
Read the full IELTS exam format and syllabus guide before starting timed practice.
How to Book IELTS
- Ask the receiving organisation which test type and minimum scores it accepts.
- Use the official IELTS test-centre finder or approved booking route.
- Select the country, city, test type and available date.
- Check whether the centre offers One Skill Retake or Writing on Paper if either matters to you.
- Enter your name exactly as shown on the identity document you will present.
- Review the local fee, cancellation terms and access-arrangement process before paying.
- Keep the booking confirmation and recheck test-day time and location.
Policies and identification requirements can vary by centre and country. Contact the centre early if you need access arrangements; do not wait until test day.
How Much Does IELTS Cost?
There is no single worldwide IELTS fee. Prices vary by country, test centre, tax treatment and test type. IELTS for UKVI, Life Skills, a full retake, One Skill Retake and a remark may each have different local prices.
Use the official test-centre finder to see the amount for a specific location. Budget for possible card conversion charges and travel as well as the advertised test fee. Avoid blog posts that present one country's price as a universal IELTS fee.
When Are IELTS Results Released?
IELTS currently publishes these normal result windows:
| Test | Published result time |
|---|---|
| IELTS on computer | 1–5 days |
| IELTS Online | 6–8 days |
| IELTS for UKVI | 1–5 days |
| IELTS for UKVI Life Skills | Up to 9 days |
| Legacy IELTS on paper | Up to 13 days |
These are result windows, not a promise that every receiving organisation will process the score immediately. Leave time for score delivery, verification and application deadlines.
IELTS Scores and Validity
You receive a band for each of the four skills and an overall band. The overall score is the average of the component scores, rounded according to IELTS rules to the nearest whole or half band.
IELTS recommends that results be considered valid for two years because language ability can change. A receiving organisation may accept an older result, so its own policy controls. There is no universal passing band and no single score required by all universities.
See IELTS band scores explained for rounding examples, raw-score reference points and requirement checks.
One Skill Retake
One Skill Retake can let an eligible candidate retake Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking once instead of repeating the full exam. The original full test must have been IELTS on computer at a centre offering the option, and the retake must be completed within 60 days.
Availability, price and acceptance vary. Check that your receiving organisation accepts One Skill Retake before booking it. A technically available retake is not automatically useful for every university, regulator or visa route.
Practical Checklist for International Applicants
- Confirm Academic, General Training, UKVI or another approved test before paying.
- Check both the overall and minimum component scores.
- Use the exact passport or ID name in the booking and application.
- Book early enough for a retake, remark or administrative delay if needed.
- Treat fees, centre options and cancellation rules as location-specific.
- Confirm whether IELTS Online and One Skill Retake are accepted for your purpose.
- Keep IELTS separate from admissions tests such as LNAT or TARA; they measure different things.
For country-to-country planning, read our IELTS guide for international students. When you are ready to study, follow the six-week IELTS preparation plan and official practice links.
ExamPrepIQ offers independent IELTS practice after you have used the official samples. Its AI-assisted feedback is formative and is not an official IELTS score.