HomeIELTS for test takersWhy choose IELTS?
Friends in winter

Why choose IELTS?

IELTS opens up opportunities all around the world.

Our tests are trusted by thousands of people and organisations around the globe, and IELTS is the only English test accepted by all immigration authorities that require you to prove your English skills.

Accepted for immigration

IELTS is accepted by all four immigration authorities who require proof of English skills.

Trusted by universities

Over 12500 institutions around the world accept IELTS.

This includes thousands of universities, colleges or academic institutions who trust IELTS to evaluate English language skills. World-class universities such as the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard and Princeton all trust IELTS.

The right choice of test for you

Our IELTS Academic test is what you need to study overseas and is accepted by thousands of top academic institutions.

If you want to move abroad for work and require a visa, choose the IELTS General Training test.

The world's first choice

IELTS English language tests have been taken over 30 million times since IELTS was founded in the 1980s. Every week 60000 people choose IELTS to prove their language skills and take a step closer to their dream life.

Created by global experts

Built on decades of test design experience and research by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, international experts in testing and evaluation.

Our tests are designed to prepare you for work or study in your new country so you can start your future with confidence.

Designed to help you succeed

We help you to prepare for IELTS so that you feel confident taking your test. We have lots of resources to help you succeed.

We test you on your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.

The organisations that founded IELTS offer courses, books and videos and you can learn more about taking the test, hear from previous test takers, join webinars, or download our apps.

We offer a choice of how to take your test

We know how important it is for you to get a good result and we have developed three different options for taking your test so you feel relaxed and ready to do your best.

The tests are the same on paper, computer, or online, so choose whichever makes you feel more comfortable.

We have test centres around the world and we add more all the time

Computer-based testing

You can choose to do your test at an IELTS test centre on a computer.

Paper-based testing

Find your nearest IELTS test centre and do your test on paper if you prefer to write your answers by hand.

Online testing

If you can’t get to a test centre, or prefer to take the test at home, it is possible to do the IELTS Academic test online. (If you are taking the IELTS General Training test, or require an IELTS score for a visa, you must attend one of our test centres.)

Download your IELTS guide for test takers (PDF 1.1 MB - 12 pages)

It's easy to get started

We’ve got lots of information to help you prepare, book a test, or find out more.

What are you waiting for?

Help me prepare

We’ve been helping people to reach their potential for over 30 years

IELTS began offering English tests in 1989. Our tests are developed by experts and trusted all around the world.

This is why you can be confident that thousands of institutions trust our tests, with the list growing every year.

Our test questions are set and marked by real people

Our friendly examiners will help you to feel comfortable and relaxed so that you can do your best in the test.

We want to get you ready to have real conversations in English, and that’s why your English will be assessed by a real person and not a computer.

Find your nearest location

IELTS is based on a strong global partnership

IELTS is an international partnership of respected organisations, the British Council, Cambridge English and IDP Australia. Between them they have 250 years of experience in education and learning.


Choose the world's most trusted English Language test

Speaker giving a talk in conference hall
See who accepts IELTS
Girl wearing blue hat
The tests
Student head scarf looking out of the window
Help me prepare
Female test taker taking a written exam sitting at a desk
Book a test

Proving my English language ability with IELTS has really opened doors for me…

I can go anywhere now.

Aekthada Chivakanit, Thailand; graduated from University of Nottingham (UK)

IELTS gave me more confidence when applying for university.

Tang Shaonan, Shanghai, China; IELTS score: 7.0; admitted into Graziadio School, Pepperdine University (USA)

©

2024. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP IELTS; and Cambridge University Press & Assessment