The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
Generally, your results are valid for 2 years from the test date. However this may depend on the receiving organizations’/institutions’/universities’/employers’/etc. requirements. Therefore you’re advised to check with the respective organisation regarding this.
Students are responsible for sending standardised testing scores directly from the testing agency. VIS will not send these materials as part of the supporting documents.
Looking to work or study in the UK?
If you are an IB Diploma student, some universities in the UK will not require you to take an English proficiency test (but this might vary according to whether English is your first language, whether your are doing IB English A or B, HL or SL, and possibly the grade you get - research is required).
Most British universities and colleges accept IELTS Academic results. This means you may not need to take an IELTS Academic for UKVI test but can submit an IELTS Academic result. Before booking your test, make sure to check which test you need with the organisations you are applying to.
IELTS Academic:
This test is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration in the UK.
IELTS Academic for UKVI:
IELTS for UKVI tests are designed to meet specific administrative requirements outlined by the UK Home Office and are taken at a UKVI approved test centre. This test is also available on computer in certain locations. The IELTS Academic for UKVI is an approved Secure English language test (SELT) by the UK Home Office for visa applications to the UK. This test will be required by some universities and all foundation programmes, but you should double check.
The actual test taken is the same as IELTS tests for all other purposes and includes the same: content, format, scoring and level of difficulty. Test Report Forms will be slightly different in order to show that you have taken the test at an UKVI approved test centre.
To find more information about IELTS UKVI, please click on the button below:
To register for IELTS UKVI, please click on the button below:
The IELTS test you take – and the score you need – will depend on both your visa requirements and/or the requirements of the institution where you plan to study or work.
Sources:
https://www.ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-introduction (accessed on the 21 February 2020)
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/which-ielts-test/ukvi (accessed on the 21 February 2020)
Some resources you can use to prepare for this test
To practice, you could take some Mock tests (they are not, however, real IELTS tests; they are designed to practise exam technique). You can find these by clicking on the button below: