IELTS Test Format

IELTS is a test of all four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You will take the Listening, Reading and Writing tests all on the same day one after the other, with no breaks in between. Depending on your test centre, your Speaking test may be on the same day as the other three tests, or up to seven days before or after that. 

The Speaking section takes 11 to 14 minutes. The Speaking test is a one-on-one conversation with a certified Examiner.  The schedule and venue for the Speaking section may differ from the venue of the Listening, Reading and Writing sections.  IDP will advise you of your schedule a few days before the test.

The total test time is under three hours.

Visit the global IDP IELTS website for more information.

Is IELTS fair?

You deserve a fair chance to do your best. That’s why, unlike other tests, IELTS gives you a quiet room for an individual Speaking test with no distractions or interruptions.

IELTS also recognises that people have different approaches to answering questions. For example, with IELTS you can answer questions within the Reading test or within the Writing test in the order that suits you. You can also make changes to your Reading answers during the hour of the Reading test and adjust your Writing responses during the hour of the Writing test. 

IDP IELTS also gives the option of taking IELTS on paper, or using a computer.

Understanding your IELTS results

There is no pass or fail score in IELTS. Your test results are reported in band scores from 1.0, the lowest, to 9.0, the highest, in half band increments.  You will receive an overall band score, as well as individual band scores for each test section - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The overall band score is an average of all four scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half. All four sections are weighed equally.

How often is the IELTS test conducted?

IELTS tests are conducted four times a month in Manila, three times a month in Cebu and at various frequencies at our other test locations. Visit standard IELTS or IELTS for UKVI test schedules to choose your preferred test date.