"We’re so pleased we’ve been able to support millions of test takers to prove their English and access new adventures and opportunities.
"IELTS has helped a huge number of universities across Europe, North America, and around the world to find applicants who have the right English language skills to thrive.
"Our research shows that IELTS sets students up for academic success because it covers the English skills that students need to have a positive experience of higher education."
Pamela Baxter, Managing Director for IELTS at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, described the test as a “story of growth and opportunity”.
IELTS has been delivering tests of English since its creation in 1989. It has become the standard by which other tests measure themselves. We are pleased to continue to lead the sector, through scholarships, research investments, training – and, most importantly, by providing support and enabling opportunities for millions of test takers globally.
More people take an IELTS test every year than all other high-stakes English language tests combined! If you need to succeed, IELTS is the test that helps you achieve your ambitions.
Partnerships
IELTS partners with UNHCR to support refugees
In November 2024 IELTS teamed up with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to offer free IELTS tests to hundreds of displaced people. This initiative helps refugees gain valuable qualifications to help pursue their educational and employment goals.
An IELTS score transcends boundaries and opens doors to global success, so it is our hope that offering free tests will be a start in improving access to education for a cohort of refugees around the world.
10 years of IELTS and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
In December 2024, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) service extended its agreement to continue recognising IELTS as an official Secure English Language Test (SELT). This ensures that IELTS remains an approved option for people applying for visas and immigration, both in the UK and globally.
IELTS has been recognised by UKVI since ‘SELT’ was first introduced in early 2015.
This extension confirms the long-standing relationship between UKVI and IELTS, reinforcing it as a trusted method for assessing English proficiency.
Resources to help Test Takers succeed
The IELTS Partners are dedicated to helping people achieve their dreams. With courses, webinars, coaching, apps, videos, and more, IELTS provides the most comprehensive preparation resources available.
This year we launched our step-by-step video guides to help people prepare for IELTS tests. In the series below we talk through the IELTS Writing test. We explain what the tests involve, explain exactly how you will be marked (to help you do the best you can), and provide tips and advice to build your confidence and your success.
IELTS One Skill Retake continues to expand
A few years ago we introduced IELTS One Skill Retake. It’s a unique solution, only from IELTS, to help people succeed if they miss their target on one section of the IELTS test. It saves people time, money, worry, and gives them their best chance to succeed. Acceptance by universities worldwide continues to grow, to tap into the talent pool that IELTS can provide.
IELTS One Skill Retake is a valuable tool in ensuring talented individuals have the opportunity to meet our English language requirements. It allows quality students, who may have faced challenges in a single skill area, to demonstrate their true abilities
Our latest validity study shows that IELTS One Skill Retake supports our test users and test takers.
Key results:
- Many test takers recognise their underperformance before receiving their results.
- Around 91% retake their lowest-scoring skill.
- It's most popular among those with 6.0–6.5 overall scores.
- The majority of individual skill scores increase by half to one band (this varies by skill).
- Impact on overall band scores on average mirror full test retakes within 60 days:
- 50–75% maintain overall band score
- 21–49% increase overall score by half a band
IELTS results, now faster
We know that time matters. It takes valuable time learning English, and taking a test. So once that’s successfully done, everyone wants the result! The great news in 2024 was that people who take their IELTS test on a computer can now receive their results in as little as one day*.
The faster results support test takers as part of their global study, work, or migration applications.
IELTS supports more institutions worldwide
In 2024 we continued to partner with the best universities in the world, and added even more new supporters to our network.
IELTS results are now trusted by more than 12,500 institutions globally, including:
- 100% of the U15 universities in Canada
- 100% of UK universities
- 100% of the top 100 international student enrolling universities in the USA
- 100% of Australian universities.
How could we help you achieve more in 2025?
If your institution would like support defining the right English standards to achieve your desired outcomes, our teams are always happy to help. Please get in contact or have a look at our guide to IELTS scores for Universities.
If you are learning English and preparing for your IELTS test, please see all our resources to help you succeed.
