More than 11,000 organizations in over 140 countries recognize IELTS as a true indicator of your English-language skills - from universities to training institutions, government departments and immigration agencies, professional and industrial organizations.
You can use your IELTS score to apply to educational institutions around the world. Multinational companies also accept IELTS as proof of your English-language skills, as well as immigration authorities in Australia, Canada, the UK and in the USA. Some occupations in English-speaking countries require IELTS for professional registration, such as nursing and teaching.
Each organization sets its own minimum band score for entry, so make sure you find out the IELTS entry requirements needed for your application. Make sure to check the IELTS band score you need before taking the IELTS test so you can best prepare.
Ask IELTS
IELTS is a secure English-language test that is accepted by more than 11,000 organisations across the globe, from education institutions to employers, as well as government and professional bodies. IELTS is not an exam.
IELTS assesses your English-language proficiency across four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking in either an academic, higher education or practical, everyday setting.
IELTS Academic and General Training are two wholly separate types of test, for two different purposes. While some individual organisations may accept an Academic result in the place of General Training, this decision is up to them. You will need to contact your specific organisation to learn more.
Since IELTS is an individual English-language proficiency test, no other test results will be able to count towards your IELTS score.
The minimum age you can take IELTS varies by your location. In most countries there is no (minimum or maximum) age limit for the IELTS test.
That being said, it is not recommended that anyone under the age of 16 sits the test. Test takers under 18 will be chaperoned to the test rooms, from the test rooms, and while they undertake their Speaking test.
IELTS success stories
A compilation of IELTS success stories with many different test takers sharing their experiences and how IELTS helped shape their global career.