IELTS test and exam - International English Language Testing System

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, creates worldwide opportunities for test takers, such as students looking to study in foreign universities and professionals seeking work around the world. IELTS has an excellent international reputation and is the most widely accepted English language test.

Regardless of whether you choose the paper-based or computer-delivered IELTS, all aspects of the test are tightly monitored, thereby ensuring the integrity of your results.

IELTS test payment

After you have registered for the IELTS test, the British Council will send you an email confirming the first step of the registration. It will include a link to the payment webpage. When you receive the email, please click the link and make the payment. Once the payment is received and processed, the registration will be confirmed by email.

Medical devices and special arrangements

If you have a medical device or medicine that you would need to take with you to the test, during the test booking process, please notify the Finnbrit office via email at the time of booking. If you need a modified version of the IELTS test, e.g. if you would need extra time or other special arrangements, please check the box for ‘I have accessibility needs for the test date’ when booking your test. Then the available dates for taking a test with special arrangements will appear. Please be aware that you are required to provide medical evidence to support your claim. The medical report should be written by a medical professional and needs to be provided at least six weeks before the test.

What is IELTS?+–

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. It tests your language ability in the following elements:

Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking

You can familiarise yourself with the IELTS test format here.

Why take IELTS?+–

IELTS opens a door of opportunities. More than 12,000 organisations globally trust IELTS, so when you take the test, you can be confident that it is recognised by educational institutions, employers, governments, and professional bodies around the world.

IELTS caters for English language variations across the globe. Each question combination in every release of the test is thoroughly researched and tested. IELTS continues to set the standard for English language testing today, after having been first developed over 30 years ago.

IELTS gives you the opportunity to have a one-on-one, face-to-face conversation with an examiner and to be assessed based on your true language skills.

IELTS provides a trustworthy, globally standardised, easily interpreted view on your English language competence. Governments in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom use IELTS to process immigration applications.

Choose IELTS on computer or IELTS on paper+–

Test takers can choose if they wish to take IELTS on computer or on paper. You can see the available test dates on the British Council website. Typically, the paper-based tests are run once a month on Saturdays, and the computer-delivered tests take place on a weekly basis. You can choose a date that best fits your schedule.

The questions are the same, both tests include the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking tests. In the IELTS on paper test, test takers write their answers on paper in a classroom of 10-13 people. In the IELTS on computer test, test takers get test instructions and type their answers on a computer, in a language studio setting with 12 or fewer candidates. The speaking test is the same in both test formats: a one-on-one, face-to-face dialogue with an examiner.

The results are available 13 calendar days after an IELTS on paper test and 3-5 days after an IELTS on computer test.

The IELTS on computer test provides you with more opportunities to take the test and to take the test in a smaller group and gives you more choices in terms of available test times and dates. For more information, please click here.

Choose the right IELTS test: General Training or Academic+–

There are two standard IELTS tests available – IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

IELTS Academic – assesses whether your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment. It reflects aspects of academic language and evaluates whether you’re ready to begin training or studying in English.

IELTS General Training – assesses English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and tests reflect both workplace and social situations.

One Skill Retake +–

IELTS One Skill Retake is a new feature offering you the opportunity to retake just one section of IELTS – Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking, saving you time and money.
The format and timing of the test is the same as the section which examines the individual skill in a normal IELTS test.
If you choose IELTS One Skill Retake, you will receive a second Test Report Form with your IELTS One Skill Retake score, the scores from your original test and an overall CEFR score. You can choose whether you would like to use your old or new Test Report Form for the skill you retook.
IELTS One Skill Retake is available to test takers who have completed a full IELTS on Computer test and must be booked within 60 days of the original IELTS test being taken.
Find out more

IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills +–

IELTS FOR UKVI and IELTS LIFE SKILLS TEST NOW AVAILABLE IN FINLAND

If you are looking to work or study in the UK, you may need to apply for a UK visa and demonstrate that you have met the required level of English by taking a Home Office approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI (Academic and General Training) or IELTS Life Skills.

Is there a difference in test format between IELTS and IELTS for UKVI?

IELTS and IELTS for UKVI are the same in terms of format, content, scoring and level of difficulty. However, the Test Report Form which contains your results is slightly different to show that you have taken the test at an official IELTS for UKVI location, which is approved by the UK Home Office.

Which test format should I take?

If you are a student, ALWAYS check with your university / college / school which test you need before booking.

If you are applying for a Student Visa (Tier 4) at a higher education institution to enter directly onto a bachelor or postgraduate degree at a university that is a Tier 4 Sponsor, you must meet the English language level set by the institution. All British universities and colleges accept IELTS Academic results. This means you may not need to take an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test but can submit an IELTS Academic result.

If you are NOT a student, ALWAYS check which test format you need with the organisations you are applying to before booking the test.

Registration

Click here to register for IELTS UKVI or Life Skills tests.

If you are not making a direct application for a UK visa, you do not need to take IELTS for UKVI.

For more information about IELTS for UKVI, please click here. In case you have any IELTS UKVI and Life Skills enquiries, please contact us at IELTS@finnbrit.fi.

Terms and Conditions – IELTS test+–

Please carefully read through the Finnbrit terms and conditions before purchasing the IELTS test. It includes important information about cancellations, transfers, absences, refunds, complaints, and how to request remarking of your test.

The British Council provides security and privacy policy documents and global IELTS terms and conditions. When you register for the IELTS test, you are directed to the British Council website. This is different from the Finnbrit website. At the time of registration, you agree to comply with these. If you wish to remind yourself of the British Council information security and privacy policies, please click here. To read the global IELTS terms and conditions, please see here.