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Research reports

Leading academics and researchers worldwide contribute to the continued development and improvement of IELTS by undertaking funded research.

Find the latest academic research, insights, and expertise from the IELTS Partners and global experts in English Language Assessment.

Global Research in English Language Assessment and Expertise

Leading academics and researchers worldwide contribute to the continued development and improvement of IELTS by undertaking funded research. We regularly publish our research in various series.

IELTS Research Reports Online Series: Research from the joint-funded Research grants programme.

IELTS Partnership Research Papers: Research undertaken or commissioned by the IELTS Partners including the Studies in Test Comparability Series.

IELTS Research updates: Key developments about IELTS products and services.

Studies in Language Testing (SiLT): A series of academic volumes of important issues and new developments in language testing and assessment edited by Professor Lynda Taylor and Dr Nick Saville.

Research Notes: Quarterly publication reporting on matters relating to research, test development and validation within Cambridge Assessment English.

Search our Research Reports

Showing 131 results

Research Report

2 hr 42 min

IELTS Writing band scores 5.5–7.5: Grammatical error rates, stakeholder perceptions, and risk

Researchers

  • Amanda Muller

  • Weifeng Han

Topics

  • IELTS Test - Writing

  • Impact and Washback - Performance data of candidates and IELTS

  • Impact and Washback - Stakeholder attitudes

  • Impact and Washback - Use of test scores

Research Report

2 hr 26 min

Test-takers’ IELTS preparations, their attitudes towards IELTS practices, and the use of technologies in the global pandemic

Researchers

  • Okim Kang

  • Kevin Hirschi

  • Yongzhi Miao

  • Hyunkee Ahn

  • Yongkook Won

Topics

  • Impact and Washback - IELTS on Computer

  • Impact and Washback - Test preparation

  • Technology

  • Test delivery

Research Report

1 hr 45 min

Comparison of IELTS Academic and Duolingo English Test

Researchers

  • Sara T Cushing

  • Haoshan Ren

Topics

  • Equivalency

  • Impact and Washback - Use of test scores

  • Technology

  • Test comparisons

Research Report

2 hr 14 min

VEO IELTS PROJECT REPORT: Which specific features of candidate talk do examiners orient to when taking scoring decisions?

Researchers

  • Paul Seedhouse

  • Müge Satar

Topics

  • Examiners and Scoring - Speaking

  • Impact and Washback - Use of test scores

  • Technology

Research Report

4 hr 46 min

Japanese stakeholders’ perceptions of IELTS Writing and Speaking tests and their impact on communication and achievement

Researchers

  • Noriko Iwashita

  • Miyuki Sasaki

  • Annita Stell

  • Megan Yucel

Topics

  • IELTS Test - Speaking

  • IELTS Test - Writing

  • Impact and Washback - Performance data of candidates and IELTS

  • Impact and Washback - Stakeholder attitudes

  • Impact and Washback - Use of test scores

Research Report

3 hr 47 min

How are IELTS scores set and used for university admissions selection: A cross-institutional case study

Researchers

  • Daniel M K Lam

  • Anthony Green

  • Neil Murray

  • Angela Gayton

Topics

  • Impact and Washback - Stakeholder attitudes

  • Impact and Washback - Use of test scores

Research Report

2 hr 33 min

Investigating the Relationship Between PTE-Academic and IELTS Academic

Researchers

  • Nick Saville

  • Barry O’Sullivan

  • Tony Clark

Topics

  • Equivalency

  • Impact and Washback - Use of test scores

  • Test comparisons

Research Report

2 hr 41 min

Investigation of relationships between learner background, linguistic progression and score gain on IELTS

Researchers

  • Okim Kang

  • Hyunkee Ahn

  • Kate Yaw

  • Soh-Yon Chung

Topics

  • IELTS Test - Speaking

  • Impact and Washback - Improvement in test scores

  • Impact and Washback - Performance data of candidates and IELTS

Stacked files
Test Statistics

Global performance trends and information

Hierarchy
Funding and Awards

Previously Funded Research

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