The IELTS: A Complete Guide for International Students
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world's most widely taken English proficiency test and is accepted by most US universities as an alternative to the TOEFL.
What Is the IELTS?
IELTS is a joint venture of the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. There are two versions: IELTS Academic (required for university admission — this is the version you need) and IELTS General Training (used for work visas and immigration, not typically accepted for US university admissions).
The IELTS Academic Format
The IELTS Academic takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes and consists of:
- Listening (30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time): Four recordings followed by 40 questions
- Reading (60 minutes): Three long reading passages with 40 questions drawn from academic texts
- Writing (60 minutes): Task 1 — describe a graph, chart, or diagram (150 words minimum); Task 2 — write an argument or discussion essay (250 words minimum)
- Speaking (11–14 minutes): A face-to-face interview with a human examiner
Scoring
IELTS uses a band score system from 0 to 9 (in 0.5 increments). Your overall band score is the average of your four section scores.
What Score Do US Universities Require?
- Community colleges: Often accept scores of 5.5–6.0
- Undergraduate programs: Typically require 6.0–6.5
- Graduate programs: Often require 6.5–7.0 or higher
IELTS vs. TOEFL: Which Should You Take?
IELTS Speaking is a live conversation with a human examiner, which some students find less stressful than the computer-based TOEFL speaking tasks. TOEFL is entirely computer-based, which suits students comfortable with typing. Both tests are widely accepted by US universities, and scores from both are valid for two years. Check with your target schools to confirm which tests they accept.