Why Choose IELTS

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 607 KB - 12 pages)