The International English Language Testing System,

[4]
or IELTS /a.lts/, is
an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-
native English language speakers. It is jointly managed byCambridge
English Language Assessment, the British Council and IDP Education Pvt
Ltd,
[4]
and was established in 1989. IELTS is one of the two major English-
language tests in the world, the other being the TOEFL.
There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Version and the General
Training Version:
The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll
in universities and other institutions of higher education and for
professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or
practise in an English-speaking country.
The General Training Version is intended for those planning to
undertake non-academic training or to gainwork experience, or
for immigration purposes.
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New
Zealand and South African academic institutions, over 3,000 academic
institutions in the United States, and various professional organisations
across the world. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia
and New Zealand. In Canada, IELTS, TEF, orCELPIP are accepted by the
immigration authority.
[5]

No minimum score is required to pass the test. An IELTS result or Test
Report Form is issued to all candidates with a score from "band 1" ("non-
user") to "band 9" ("expert user") and each institution sets a different
threshold. There is also a "band 0" score for those who did not attempt
the test. Institutions are advised not to consider a report older than two
years to be valid, unless the user proves that he has worked to maintain
his level.
[6][7]

In 2007, IELTS tested over a million candidates in a single 12-month
period for the first time ever, making it the world's most popular English
language test for higher education and immigration. In theory tests
performed on native English speakers must show 9.0 results in 100%. This
result however was never achieved.
[8]

In 2009, 1.4 million candidates took the IELTS test in over 130 countries,
in 2011 there were 1.7 million candidates whereas in 2012, 2 million
candidates were tested.
[9]

Contents
[hide]
1 IELTS characteristics
2 IELTS test structure
o 2.1 Listening
o 2.2 Reading
o 2.3 Writing
o 2.4 Speaking
o 2.5 Duration
3 Band scale
4 Conversion table
5 Locations and test dates
6 Global test scores
o 6.1 Countries with highest academic averages
o 6.2 Results by first language of candidate (academic)
7 IELTS level required by academic institutions for admission
o 7.1 United States
o 7.2 United Kingdom
o 7.3 Argentina
o 7.4 Finland
o 7.5 France
o 7.6 Germany
o 7.7 Turkey
o 7.8 Hong Kong
o 7.9 Italy
o 7.10 Kazakhstan
o 7.11 The Netherlands
o 7.12 Belgium
o 7.13 Thailand
o 7.14 Vietnam
8 IELTS use for immigration purposes
o 8.1 Australia
o 8.2 New Zealand
o 8.3 Canada
o 8.4 United Kingdom
9 Other English proficiency tests
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
IELTS characteristics[edit]
The IELTS incorporates the following features:
A variety of accents and writing styles have been presented in test
materials in order to minimise linguistic bias.
IELTS tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in English.
Band scores are used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading,
Writing, and Speaking). The Band Scale ranges from 0 ("Did not attempt
the test") to 9 ("Expert User").
The speaking module is a key component of IELTS. It is conducted in the
form of a one-to-one interview with an examiner. The examiner assesses
the candidate as he or she is speaking, but the speaking session is
also recorded for monitoring as well as re-marking in case of an appeal
against the banding given.
IELTS is developed with input from item writers from around the world.
Teams are located in the USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand,
Canada and other English-speaking nations.