IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is jointly run by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and it is accepted by more than 12,000 organisations in over 140 countries for study, work and migration. It is the reference test in the UK and historically linked countries (Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada) and is accepted by almost all US universities.

There are two versions of the test: Academic and General Training. This programme focuses on General Training, which is the version to choose if you want to migrate to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK) or to train or study below degree level. The Listening and Speaking sections are identical in both versions; only the Reading and Writing sections differ.

The test has four sections, always taken in this order on test day for the first three: Listening, Reading and Writing, with no break between them. The Speaking test may take place on the same day or up to a week before, or up to two days after, depending on local arrangements.

The total test time is about 2 hours 45 minutes, and the test is marked out of band 9. IELTS can be taken on paper or on a computer; the Speaking test is always a face-to-face conversation with a certified examiner (in person or by video call from a secure station at the test centre). There is no negative marking, so you should always answer every question.