IDP IELTS | British Council IELTS | IELTS Exam India

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency, jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Ltd. There are two versions of the IELTS, namely the Academic Version and the General Training Version. For those who want to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher education, and the professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practise in an English-speaking country, have to clear the Academic Version. The General Training Version is for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes. In 2007, over a million candidates appeared for IELTS in a 12 month period for the first time ever, which made it the world's most popular English language test for higher education and immigration.

IELTS Scores
There’s no minimum score requirement in order to clear IELTS. Different institutions set diverse conditions. An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all candidates with a score from 1 i.e. no knowledge to 9 i.e. expert user. Institutions do not consider a report older than two years.

IELTS Exam
You can choose between the Academic and General Training versions of the test. All candidates have to appear for the same listening and speaking sections. But the reading and writing sections are different.
• Listening: It contains 40 questions to be completed in 30 minutes.
• Speaking: It is the interview round which lasts up till 15 minutes.
• Reading: It is different for Academic and General Training – contains 3 sections with 40 questions, to be completed in 60 minutes.
• Writing: This test is also different for Academic and General Training – tests the writing skills, to be completed in 60 minutes.

IELTS Application Form
Aspirants can apply online for IELTS from the official website of IELTS: http://www.ielts.org/. Check out the sample application form here: http://www.ielts.org/PDF/IELTSApplicationsFormNovember2011.pdf
IELTS has 48 fixed test dates each year to ensure high levels of quality and security. Usually the Academic version of the test is available on all 48 dates, but the General Training version of the test is available only on 24 dates.
Candidates can locate their nearest IELTS centre and confirm the test dates to find two options that suit them, before the deadline for selecting dates end.

IELTS Results
IELTS exam is held throughout the year. The results become available online 13 days after the test. Aspirants can check their results on the official website of IELTS in the result section: https://results.ielts.org/.

Institutions that Accept IELTS 
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. IELTS is also a major requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

IELTS Preparation
There are many books and CDs available, which guide you through the IELTS Entrance Exam pattern.
1. Read out loud the books and magazines to improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
2. Take a random topic and write a passage on it. This will be very helpful. Make meaningful sentences.
3. Grammar needs to be right, so make sure you read IELTS Entrance Exam preparation books on grammar and recall the basics in grammar.