IELTS Academic is required for an admission in undergraduate and postgraduate courses to prove that an aspirant has strong skills in English language, which is important to survive the competition and to communicate the ideas effectively in both academic and campus environments. Apart from this, the General Training format focuses on general survival skills in social and workplace contexts.
One should take the IELTS test if he/she:

• is planning to study at a higher education institution abroad?
• is applying for English-language learning program admissions and exit?
• is applying for scholarship and certification?
• is an English-language learner who wants to track their progress?
• is a student and/or worker applying for immigration visa?

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It was established in 1989 and is jointly managed and organized by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. IELTS is one of the major English-language tests in the world. IELTS is the only Secure English Language Test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for visa customers applying both outside and inside the UK. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia and New Zealand.
There are two versions of the IELTS:
Academic Version
General Training Version
IELTS Academic 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 practice in an English-speaking country. IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.
Both the versions are valid for a period of two years.

Note: The format for IELTS test mentioned above is based on Academic module. In General module, the Reading section may have up to 5 passages instead of 3 passages and the Writing section has 1 Letter writing instead of pictogram description.
#The IELTS test is conducted in two days where the Speaking section is either conducted a day or two, before the other 3 sections or after.
Modules of the IELTS Test in details
Listening
The module comprises four sections, with ten questions in each section. The total time allotted for this section is 40 minutes: 30min for testing, plus 10mins for transferring the answers to an answer sheet.
Sections 1 and 2 are about everyday, social situations.
Section 1 has a conversation between two speakers (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements)
Section 2 has one person speaking (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Sections 3 and 4 are about educational and training situations
Section 3 is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, a discussion between two university students, perhaps guided by a tutor)
Section 4 has one person speaking about an academic subject.
Each section begins with a short introduction telling the test taker about the situation and the speakers. Then they have some time to look through the questions. All recordings will be played once only. At the end of the test students are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Test takers will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Reading
The Reading test of IELTS is different in Academic and General Training. It has three sections. There will be a variety of question types, such as multiple choice, short-answer questions, identifying information, identifying writer’s views, labeling diagrams, completing a summary using words taken from the text and matching information/headings/features in the text/sentence endings. Test takers should be careful when writing down their answers as they will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Texts in IELTS Academic
Three reading texts, which come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources written for non-specialist audiences. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Texts in IELTS General Training
Section 1 contains two or three short texts or several shorter texts, which deal with everyday topics. For example, timetables or notices – things a person would need to understand when living in an English-speaking country.
Section 2 contains two texts, which deal with work. For example, job descriptions, contracts, training materials.
Section 3 contains one long text about a topic of general interest. The text is generally descriptive, longer and more complex than the texts in Sections 1 and 2. The text will be taken from a newspaper, magazine, book or online resource.
In both the modules of IELTS reading a total of 40 questions are to be answered.
Writing
As in the Reading test, the writing test of IELTS is also different in Academic and General Training. The Writing paper has two tasks which must both be completed. In task 1 test takers write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. In task 2 test takers write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Test takers will be penalized if their answer is too short or does not relate to the topic.
IELTS Academic
Task 1: test takers describe a graph, table, chart or diagram in their own words.
IELTS General Training
Task 1: test takers write a letter in response to a given everyday situation. For example, writing to an accommodation officer about problems with your accommodation, writing to a new employer about problems managing your time, writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport.
The Task 2 is same for Academic and General Training. In this task, test takers need to write an essay about a topic of general interests. For example, whether smoking should be banned in public places, whether children’s leisure activities should be educational, how environmental problems can be solved. Other topics such as discussing a point of view, argument or problem may also be asked. Depending on the task, test takers may be required to present a solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.
Speaking
The speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner. It has three sections.
Section 1: introduction and interview (4–5 minutes)
Test takers may be asked about their home, family, work, studies, hobbies, interests, reasons for taking IELTS exam as well as other general topics such as clothing, free time, computers and the internet.
Section 2: long turn (3–4 minutes)
Test takers are given a task card about a particular topic. Test takers have one minute to prepare to talk about this topic. The task card states the points that should be included in the talk and one aspect of the topic which must be explained during the talk. Test takers are then expected to talk about the topic for 2 minutes, after which the examiner may ask one or two questions.
Section 3: discussions (4–5 minutes)
The third section involves a discussion between the examiner and the test taker, generally on questions relating to the theme which they have already spoken about in Section 2.

IELTS
Duration	2hr 55 min
Test Type	Paper Based
Score Range	1.0 – 9.0
Score Validity	2 Years
Sections (in order as appears on actual test)	Listening (40 minutes – including 10 minutes to transfer the answer) Reading (60 minutes) Writing (60 minutes) Speaking (11 – 14 minutes)
Evaluation	All sections are evaluated by human raters.
Listening Section	Students have to answer questions based on academic lectures and conversations up to 4 people. The topics relate to academics and social issues.
Speaking Section	Face to face interview by human rater on familiar topics.
Reading Section	3 Passages, 40 questions which can include MCQ, Fill in the blanks, Paragraph headings, Matching Information etc.
Writing Section	1 pictogram description and 1 Essay

Note: The format for IELTS test mentioned above is based on Academic module. In General module, the Reading section may have up to 5 passages instead of 3 passages and the Writing section has 1 Letter writing instead of pictogram description.
#The IELTS test is conducted in two days where the Speaking section is either conducted a day or two, before the other 3 sections or after.

Step 1 – Find your nearest IELTS test location. There are more than 1100 test centers over 140 countries. Login to www.ielts.org to do this.
Step 2 – Register and pay the registration fee of Rs. 14700/- online or download an application form to print, complete and submit to your local test center. A valid passport is mandatory as an identity. The test taker has to present the same identity document on the day of the test.
Step 3 – The test center will provide a confirmation of the date and time of the test. The Speaking test time will be scheduled on a different day, within a 7-day window, before or after the written tests. The test center will confirm the Speaking test time.
Postponement/cancellation of application
Candidates have the option to transfer/postpone/cancel the test date, by paying Rs. 2,950/-. Candidates who request for a cancellation of their registration more than five weeks prior to the test date will receive the refund after deduction of cancellation/postponement fee. Cancellation of test or transfer requests within five weeks of the test date for medical reasons, must be supported with medical evidence within five days of the test date. The only evidence of serious illness will be considered. Only original medical certificates will be accepted and this must state the inability to appear for the test on the scheduled test date.
Cancellation of test within five weeks of the test date for any reason other than a medical issue, bereavement or hardship/trauma, will not be eligible for a refund.
Postponement or cancelation of test due to the bereavement of a close family member or hardship/trauma, valid evidence is required for an exemption to be made.

IELTS Academic is required for an admission in undergraduate and postgraduate courses to prove that an aspirant has strong skills in English language, which is important to survive the competition and to communicate the ideas effectively in both academic and campus environments. Apart from this, the General Training format focuses on general survival skills in social and workplace contexts.
One should take the IELTS test if he/she:

• is planning to study at a higher education institution abroad?
• is applying for English-language learning program admissions and exit?
• is applying for scholarship and certification?
• is an English-language learner who wants to track their progress?
• is a student and/or worker applying for immigration visa?

IELTS can arrange for additional original copies (up to a maximum of five) to be posted to receiving institutions (e.g. universities, immigration officers, etc.). If you want them to do this, please include the relevant details during registration for IELTS with the British Council.