English language · CHECKED 2026-09-22

IELTS — your starting guide

Demonstrate English ability for an institution or another recipient.

The exam at a glance

Academic assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Listening

About 30 minutes

Reading

60 minutes

40 questions

Writing

60 minutes

2 tasks

Speaking

11–14 minutes

Provider overall guidance is 2 hours 45 minutes. Speaking appointment arrangements vary.

Full format and scoring →

Is this the test you need?

Applicants whose chosen programme accepts IELTS. Check the exact overall and skill requirements before booking.

For university applications, check whether IELTS Academic is required; General Training has different reading and writing tasks.
Check whether a UKVI version is needed for your particular visa route.
Confirm acceptance of IELTS Online or One Skill Retake separately.

1. Understand the exam →

Sections, timing, current format and score-use caveats.

2. Plan your booking →

Enrolment steps, official dates, ID and fee references.

3. Choose your practice →

See what is available and how much of the exam it covers.

A sensible preparation route

Try official Academic samples in each of the four skills.
Use a short diagnostic to choose one weak skill, then practise with feedback.
Do a timed official paper and arrange human feedback for speaking and writing.

Independent guidance from Via Glowbal. We are not this exam’s provider and do not guarantee admission or a particular score.

Official sources

Exam guide checked 2026-09-22; registration references checked 2026-09-29. Check the provider before booking; dates, formats and acceptance can change.

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