The International English Language Testing System,

[4]
or IELTS /a.lts/, is an
international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language
speakers. It is jointly managed byCambridge English Language Assessment, the British
Council and IDP Education Pvt Ltd,
[4]
and was established in 1989. IELTS is one of the two major
English-language tests in the world, the other being the TOEFL.
There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Version and the General Training Version:
The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other
institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who
want to study or practise in an English-speaking country.
The General Training Version is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training
or to gainwork experience, or for immigration purposes.
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South
African academic institutions, over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and various
professional organisations across the world. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia and
New Zealand. In Canada, IELTS, TEF, orCELPIP are accepted by the immigration authority.
[5]

No minimum score is required to pass the test. An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all
candidates with a score from "band 1" ("non-user") to "band 9" ("expert user") and each institution
sets a different threshold. There is also a "band 0" score for those who did not attempt the test.
Institutions are advised not to consider a report older than two years to be valid, unless the user
proves that he has worked to maintain his level.
[6][7]

In 2007, IELTS tested over a million candidates in a single 12-month period for the first time ever,
making it the world's most popular English language test for higher education and immigration. In
theory tests performed on native English speakers must show 9.0 results in 100%. This result
however was never achieved.
[8]

In 2009, 1.4 million candidates took the IELTS test in over 130 countries, in 2011 there were 1.7
million candidates whereas in 2012, 2 million candidates were tested.
[9]

Contents
[hide]
1 IELTS characteristics
2 IELTS test structure
o 2.1 Listening
o 2.2 Reading
o 2.3 Writing
o 2.4 Speaking
o 2.5 Duration
3 Band scale
4 Conversion table
5 Locations and test dates
6 Global test scores
o 6.1 Countries with highest academic averages
o 6.2 Results by first language of candidate (academic)
7 IELTS level required by academic institutions for admission
o 7.1 United States
o 7.2 United Kingdom
o 7.3 Argentina
o 7.4 Finland
o 7.5 France
o 7.6 Germany
o 7.7 Turkey
o 7.8 Hong Kong
o 7.9 Italy
o 7.10 Kazakhstan
o 7.11 The Netherlands
o 7.12 Belgium
o 7.13 Thailand
o 7.14 Vietnam
8 IELTS use for immigration purposes
o 8.1 Australia
o 8.2 New Zealand
o 8.3 Canada
o 8.4 United Kingdom
9 Other English proficiency tests
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
IELTS characteristics[edit]
The IELTS incorporates the following features:
A variety of accents and writing styles have been presented in test materials in order to minimise
linguistic bias.
IELTS tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in English.
Band scores are used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
The Band Scale ranges from 0 ("Did not attempt the test") to 9 ("Expert User").
The speaking module is a key component of IELTS. It is conducted in the form of a one-to-one
interview with an examiner. The examiner assesses the candidate as he or she is speaking, but
the speaking session is also recorded for monitoring as well as re-marking in case of an appeal
against the banding given.
IELTS is developed with input from item writers from around the world. Teams are located in the
USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other English-speaking nations.