IELTS Test Information

What is IELTS

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is a test developed by the world’s leading language experts that proves English language proficiency across four key language skills: listening, reading ,writing, and speaking. IELTS is trusted by governments, employers, and universities world-wide and is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

General training

IELTS General Training is typically for immigration purposes and measures your English language proficiency for practical, everyday contexts.

Academic

IELTS Academic is best for those looking to study at a college or university, or join a professional association, and there are minimum English language level requirements.

IELTS Test Format

The IELTS test assesses your levels in all four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking – in under three hours and you can choose to take the test on paper or on a computer, depending on what you’re most comfortable with.

IELTS on Paper

You can choose to complete the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections on paper. The Speaking test will be face-to-face with a trained Oxford International IELTS Examiner, as we find this is the most effective way to assess your speaking skills.

IELTS on Computer

You can choose to complete the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections on a computer, and the Speaking test will be face-to-face with a trained Oxford International IELTS Examiner. With computer-delivered testing, it's exactly the same content and structure, but you'll be sitting in a modern computer lab using the latest technology with technical staff on hand to help.

Test Day Instructions

Please read the following instructions and guidelines. This will ensure that you have a pleasant test day experience and perform to the best of your ability.

Meet outside the entrance of the IELTS testing center.
The center will open its doors at 8:00am local time.
Please do not smoke in or near the building – this is a building regulation.

Registration (8:00am - 8:45am local time)

Give the cloakroom staff any bags, electronic devices (including cell phones), and other valuable items.

Failure to relinquish electronic items will result in immediate dismissal from the test.
Identity Check: present your valid form of ID. For test centers in Canada, valid IDs include original passport or Canadian Permanent Residency card. For test centers in the United States, valid IDs include a valid passport from any country, U.S. Permanent Residency card, or U.S. Worker Authorization card.
Proceed to the camera and fingerprint station. If you have a head scarf or veil, you may be asked to remove these items in a separate room.
Proceed to the waiting room. you may use the washroom at this time.
Once instructed, you may enter into the testing room.

Exit Procedure and Lunch Arrangements

Once the test has finished and the papers have been collected (for IELTS on paper), you may leave the test room.

Collect your possessions from the cloakroom.
Confirm the time of your afternoon speaking test.
At this point, you may leave the test center and have lunch at a restaurant nearby.

Speaking Tests (12:50 - 5:30pm local time)

Return to the test center at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your speaking test.

-Give the cloakroom staff any bags, electronic devices (including cell phones), and other valuable item.

-You will be asked to verify your identity in the same way you did during registration. Please be sure to have your valid form of ID and you will also be asked to scan your fingerprint.

-Enter the supervised waiting area.

-Your speaking examiner will collect you from the supervised waiting area and conduct the speaking test in a different room.

-Once the speaking test is complete, you may collet your possessions from the cloakroom and leave the test center.

Punctuality, Stationary, and Possessions

You will not be admitted into the test center after 8:45am local time.

Pencils and erasers will be provided.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in the test room.
Our cloakroom is secure and you must either use it or leave your valuables and electronic devices at home.
Under no circumstances will Oxford International be responsible for lost or damaged items. You are encouraged to leave such items at home.
Please bring drinks, such as water or juice, in a clear container.
Food is not permitted in the test room. If food is required for a medical reason, you must have informed us prior to the registration deadline by way of a doctor’s note.
Reading glasses must be kept in a clear case.

IELTS Results

Once all four of your sections have been reviewed, you will receive access to an IELTS Test Report Form which shows the individual scores you have received in each of the four parts of the IELTS test, as well as your overll band score. The Test Report Form can be viewed online if you took the IELTS on Computer, or you will receive your Test Report Form through the mail.

“All test takers taking the IELTS on Computer starting April 1, 2024 will no longer receive a paper copy of the IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) and will receive an electronic version instead. The eTRF will be available for download via the Test Taker Portal.

Test takers taking the IELTS on Paper will continue to receive paper TRFs mailed to them on the 13th day after their exam date.”

Here is a breakown of what each band score means, developed by the British Council:

Band score	Skill level	Description
Band 9	Expert user	You have a full operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and you show complete understanding.
Band 8	Very good user	You have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7	Good user	You have an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally you handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.
Band 6	Competent user	Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5	Modest user	You have a partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many mistakes. You should be able to handle basic communication in your own field.
Band 4	Limited user	Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You frequently show problems in understanding and expression. You are not able to use complex language.
Band 3	Extremely limited user	You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication.
Band 2	Intermittent user	You have great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
Band 1	Non-user	You have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.
Band 0	Did not attempt the test	You did not answer the questions.

IELTS for Immigration

The score you need to be eligible for Canadian immigration depends on the program you are applying to. The minimum Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level that is set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a CLB 4, but some programs have higher language requirements. Here is a list of government programs that require proof of English language level:

Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Federal Skilled Workers Program
Immigrant Investor Capital
Provincia Nominees Program
Citizenship

In order to be eligible to apply for a Canada Student Visa, you must have a band score of 6.0 in each section and an overall band score of 6.0. Learn more about how you can work and study in Canada.

Who Accepts IELTS?

IELTS is recognized on a global scale and is accepted by over 12,000 organizations in over 140 countries, including government departments and immigration authorities, post-secondary institutions, multinational companies, and professional and industry associations.

Explore the list of organizations that accept IELTS

IELTS Forms

There are three important types of forms to be aware of:
1. Test Report Form Request Form
2. Credit Card Autorization Payment Form
3. Transfer / Refund Form

Access Canada center forms here.

Access United States center forms here.