What is IELTS?
5 min read · updated 2026-09-01
IELTS is the world's most taken English proficiency test, required by universities, employers and immigration systems in the UK, Australia, Canada and beyond. Band scores run 0-9, and most universities ask for 6.0-7.5.
The four sections
Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes, two tasks) and Speaking (11-14 minutes, face-to-face with an examiner). Each section is banded 0-9, and the overall band is the average rounded to the nearest half band.
Academic vs General Training
Academic is for university entry; General Training is for migration and work. The Listening and Speaking sections are identical; Reading and Writing differ. Always confirm which version your target institution or visa route requires before booking.
What moves bands fastest
Writing is usually the slowest section to improve alone: task response, cohesion and grammatical range are marked against published criteria, and self-marking rarely catches the issues. Timed practice with feedback against the criteria is where one-to-one tutoring earns its keep, alongside speaking practice with fluent speakers.
FAQs
What band score do I need?＋
UK universities typically ask 6.0-7.0 for undergraduate and 6.5-7.5 for postgraduate courses. Immigration routes have their own thresholds. Check your specific requirement.
How long does it take to improve half a band?＋
With weekly one-to-one practice and feedback, half a band in 4-8 weeks is a common trajectory for students near the threshold.
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