IELTS: what it is and the two test types

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a globally recognized English language proficiency test. It is designed for people who want to study, work or migrate to countries where English is the primary language of communication, such as the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

The two types of IELTS

• IELTS Academic: for those applying for higher education or professional registration. It evaluates whether your English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment. Read the IELTS Academic guide
• IELTS General Training: for people going to English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or migration. It focuses more on everyday English. Read the IELTS General Training guide

Need IELTS for a UK visa? Read IELTS for UKVI.

Test format

Both types test the same four skills. Listening and Speaking are the same in both; Reading and Writing are different.

• Listening: about 30 minutes, 4 parts, 40 questions
• Reading: 60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 questions
• Writing: 60 minutes, 2 tasks (at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2)
• Speaking: 11 to 14 minutes, a face-to-face interview with an examiner, in 3 parts

Listening, Reading and Writing are taken one after the other with no break. Depending on the test centre, Speaking is on the same day or up to 7 days before or after it. The whole test takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

How Kandy IELTS College prepares you

We teach all four skills in every batch, with frequent paper classes and weekly mock tests marked to the IELTS marking criteria, and individual attention for every student.

• Online night batch at 8 PM, live from home anywhere in Sri Lanka
• Weekday physical batch at 9 AM at the college in Kandy
• Weekend physical batch at 9 AM at the college in Kandy
• IELTS Fast Track, 1 month when your exam date is close
• Weekly mock tests and one-to-one sessions

See the next intakes and register online. Seats are limited.