IELTS Results
A
Test Report Form is posted to test takers 13 days after their test. It shows:
·
An Overall Band Score
(from 1-9)
·
A band score (from
1-9) for each section of the test (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)
·
Whether IELTS Academic
or General Training was completed
·
The test taker’s
photo, nationality, first language and date of birth.
Test
takers receive one copy of their Test Report Form, apart from test takers who
are applying to the Department of Citizenship and
Immigration Canada (CIC) or UK Visas and Immigration(UKVI) who receive two
copies.
Test
Report Forms are valid for two years.
Locations
and test dates
Test
takers can take IELTS in more than 140 countries and in over 1,000 locations.
There
are up to 48 test dates available per year. Each test centre offers tests up to
four times a month depending on local demand. The Academic version is available
on all 48 dates per year and the General Training version is available on 24
dates.
There
used to be a minimum time limit of 90 days before which a person was not
allowed to retake the test. However this restriction has been withdrawn and
currently there is no limit for applicants to retake the test.
Linking
IELTS Scores to TOEFL iBT Score Ranges
|
IELTS Score
|
TOEFL Score
|
IELTS Description
|
|
9
|
118-120
|
Expert User
|
|
8.5
|
115-117
|
Very Good User
|
|
8
|
110-114
|
|
|
7.5
|
102-109
|
Good User
|
|
7
|
94-101
|
|
|
6.5
|
79-93
|
Competent User
|
|
6
|
60-78
|
|
|
5.5
|
42-59
|
Modest User
|
|
5
|
35-41
|
|
|
4.5
|
32-34
|
Limited User
|
|
0-4
|
0-31
|
Extremely
Limited/Intermittent/Non User
|
Global
test scores
In
2015, approximately 80% of test takers took the Academic version and 20% of
test takers took the General Training version.
The
average Overall Band Score in the Academic version was 6.0 for female test
takers and 5.8 for male test takers. The average overall band score in the
General Training version was 6.2 for male and female test takers.
Level
required by academic institutions for admission
Just
over half (51%) of test takers take IELTS to enter higher education in a
foreign country. The IELTS minimum scores required by academic institutions and
by course vary. As a general rule, the top ranked universities in the United
States tend to require a higher IELTS band (typically 7.0). Most universities
accept scores between 6-7 as being suitable for undergraduate study in English.
United Kingdom
Most
top ranked UK universities, as listed by the TES 2015 World University
Rankings, require a minimum score of 6.5-7.0. For example:
|
University
|
Minimum IELTS score
(May 2015)
|
|
University of Bristol
|
6.5 (apart from Law,
Econ, Medicine and English: 7.0)
|
|
University of Cambridge
|
6.5 (no subscore
less than 6.0)
|
|
University of Durham
|
6.5
|
|
University of Edinburgh
|
6.5
|
|
Imperial College London
|
6.0 undergraduate
admissions (School of Medicine: 6.5)
|
|
King's College London
|
7.0 (apart from
Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Law and Humanities: 7.5)
|
|
6.5
|
|
|
University of Manchester
|
7.0 (apart from
Manchester Business School: 6.5)
|
|
University of Oxford
|
7.0 (no sub score
less than 6.0). Graduate admissions: 6.5
|
|
University College London (UCL)
|
6.5 (apart from
UPSCE: 5.5)
|
Canada
Most
top ranked Canadian universities, as listed by the TES 2015 World
University Rankings, require a minimum score of 6.5.
Australia
Most
top ranked Australian universities, as listed by the TES 2015 World
University Rankings, require a minimum score of approximately 6.5. For example:
|
University
|
Minimum IELTS score
(May 2015)
|
|
Australian National University
|
6.56
|
|
Monash University
|
6.0 undergraduate
admissions (no sub score less than 6.0)
6.5 postgraduate
admissions (no sub score less than 6.0)
|
|
University of Melbourne
|
6.5 (minimum 6.0 in writing)
|
|
University of Sydney
|
6.5 undergraduate and postgraduate admissions (no sub score
less than 6.0), Nursing / Vet Science: 7.0 (no sub score less than 7.0), Law
and Media Communication: 7.5 (no sub score less than 7.0)
|
Along
with the universities, the test results are directly relevant for applying a
student Visa (Subclass 500). The candidates need at least an IELTS score of
5.5. The precise requirements depend on the university.
Non-native English
speaking countries.
Most
top ranked universities in non-native English speaking countries, as
listed by the TES 2015 World University Rankings, require a minimum score
between 6.0 - 7.0 For example:
|
University
|
Country
|
World University
Ranking 2014-15
|
Minimum IELTS score
(May 2015)
|
|
KU Leuven
|
Belgium
|
55
|
6.5
|
|
Ghent University
|
Belgium
|
90
|
5.5-7.0 depending on
the course
|
|
Peking University
|
China
|
48
|
7.0 Master Programs
in Public Policy and International Relations
|
|
Tsinghua University
|
China
|
49
|
6.5 Master of Public
Administration in International Development
|
|
University of
Helsinki
|
Finland
|
103
|
6.5 with a minimum
score of 6.0 in writing
|
|
Ecole Polytechnique
|
France
|
61
|
6.5
|
|
Ecole Normale
Superieure
|
France
|
78
|
6.5
|
|
Ludwig Maximilian
University of Munich
|
Germany
|
29
|
6.5
|
|
Georg-Autust-Universitat
Göttingen
|
Germany
|
67
|
6.0
|
|
Heidelberg
University
|
Germany
|
70
|
6.5
|
|
Humboldt University
of Berlin
|
Germany
|
80
|
6.5
|
|
The University of
Hong Kong
|
Hong Kong
|
43
|
6.0–6.5
|
|
Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology
|
Hong Kong
|
51
|
6.5
|
|
Kyoto University
|
Japan
|
59
|
6.0
|
|
Tokyo Institute of
Technology
|
Japan
|
141
|
6.5
|
|
Leiden University
|
Netherlands
|
64
|
6.0 undergraduate
admissions, 6.5 postgraduate admissions
|
|
Delft University of
Technology
|
Netherlands
|
71
|
6.5
|
|
Erasmus University
Rotterdam
|
Netherlands
|
72
|
6.5
|
|
Wageningen
University and Research Center
|
Netherlands
|
73
|
6.0 (minimum 6.0 in
speaking)
|
|
University of
Amsterdam
|
Netherlands
|
77
|
6.5
|
|
Seoul National
University
|
Republic of Korea
|
50
|
6.5
|
|
Korea Advanced
Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
|
Republic of Korea
|
52
|
6.5
|
IELTS use
for immigration purposes
A
number of Commonwealth countries
use IELTS scores as a proof of prospective immigrants' competence in English.
Australia
Australia's
immigration authorities have used IELTS to assess English proficiency of
prospective migrants since May 1998, when this test replaced the access: test
that had been previously used.
There
are different IELTS score requirements for different types of visa.
|
Department of
Immigration Level of English
|
Minimum IELTS score
(May 2015)
|
Visas
|
|
Functional English
|
4.5
|
Permanent and
provisional skilled visas (to avoid paying the English Language Charge)
|
|
Vocational English
|
5.0
|
457 visa, ENS and
RSMS visas through the Temporary Residence Transitional stream for people who
have held a 457 visa for 2 years with the employer
|
|
Competent English
|
6.0
|
ENS and RSMS visas
through the Direct Entry Stream, Skilled migration (6.0 is the minimum
threshold, but receives 0 points)
|
|
Proficient English
|
7.0
|
Points Tested
Skilled visas (to obtain 10 points)
|
|
Superior English
|
8.0
|
Points Tested
Skilled visas (to obtain 20 points)
|
New Zealand
New
Zealand has used the IELTS test since 1995. There are different IELTS score requirements
for different types of visa and type of applicant.
|
Visa category
|
Minimum IELTS score
required if the applicant is not demonstrating the minimum standard in
another way (May 2015)
|
|
Skilled Migrant
|
Principal applicant:
6.5. Partners and children aged 16 and over: 5.0
|
|
Business categories
(Investor, Entrepreneur, Long Term Business Visa, Employees of Relocating
Business)
|
Principal applicants:
5.0. Partners and children aged 16 and over: In some cases partners and
children are not required to meet the minimum level of English at the time
the application is lodged, but can provide evidence at a later stage.
|
Originally,
applicants who could not achieve the required score could pay a NZ$20,000 fee
instead, which would be fully or partially refunded later if the migrant were
able to successfully take the test within a certain period (3 to 12 months)
after his or her arrival to the country. A few years later, the policy was
changed: the fee was reduced, and, instead of being potentially refundable, it
became treated as a "pre-purchase" of post-arrival ESL tuition.
Canada
Citizenship and
Immigration Canada (CIC) uses IELTS
and/or TEF as evidence of
one's ability to communicate in English and/or French. The CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency
Index Program) test scores are an alternative to IELTS.
The
Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are the national standards used in Canada
for describing, measuring and recognizing the English language proficiency of
prospective immigrants. The following table shows the IELTS scores needed
for each CLB level.
|
Canadian Language
Benchmark (CLB)
|
Reading
|
Writing
|
Listening
|
Speaking
|
|
10
|
8.0
|
7.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
|
9
|
7.0
|
7.0
|
8.0
|
7.0
|
|
8
|
6.5
|
6.5
|
7.5
|
6.5
|
|
7
|
6.0
|
6.0
|
6.0
|
6.0
|
|
6
|
5.0
|
5.5
|
5.5
|
5.5
|
|
5
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
4
|
3.5
|
4.0
|
4.5
|
4.0
|
There
are different language requirements for different types of immigration program
as shown below:
|
Visa category
|
Minimum Canadian
Language Benchmark (CLB) required (May 2015)
|
|
The Federal Skilled
Worker Program
|
CLB 7
|
|
The Federal Skilled
Trades Program
|
CLB 5 for speaking
and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing
|
|
The Canadian
Experience Class
|
CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A
jobs, CLB 5 for NOC B jobs
|
|
Business start-up
visa
|
CLB 5
|
|
Provincial Nominee
Programs
|
CLB 4 for NOC C and
D jobs
|
Submitting
one's IELTS scores is also one of the several ways to prove one's proficiency
in an official language when applying for Canadian citizenship (minimum of CLB
level 4 required).
United Kingdom
On
6 April 2015,UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) changed its English language requirements for UK
visa and immigration applications. IELTS tests are now one of only two exams
included on the UK government list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs).
IELTS
assesses all four language skills and is accepted by UK Visas and Immigration
(UKVI) at levels B1 to C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (CEFR).
A
new test, IELTS Life Skills, assesses Speaking and Listening at CEFR level A1
and at CEFR Level B1. IELTS Life Skills can be used to meet the English
language requirements for some classes of visa application, including 'family
of a settled person' visas and indefinite leave and citizenship.
To
be used for visa and immigration purposes, IELTS and IELTS Life Skills must be
taken in test centers approved by the UKVI.
|
Visa
|
Minimum CEFR level
required (May 2015)
|
Minimum IELTS score
required overall and in each skill (May 2015)
|
|
Tier 1 (General)
visa
|
C1
|
7.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 1 (Exceptional
Talent) visa
|
B1
|
4.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 1
(Entrepreneur) visa
|
B1
|
4.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 1 (Graduate
Entrepreneur) visa
|
B1
|
4.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 2 (General)
visa
|
B1
|
4.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 2
(Sportsperson) visa
|
A1
|
4.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 2 (Minister of
Religion) visa
|
B2
|
5.5 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 4 (General)
student visa - below degree level
|
B1
|
4.0 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
Tier 4 (General)
student visa - degree level and above and including some pre-seasonal courses
|
B2
|
5.5 overall, and in
each of the four skills
|
|
‘Family of a settled
person’ visa
|
A1
|
IELTS Life Skills at
A1 – Pass, IELTS – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening
|
|
Indefinite leave to
remain (to settle) or citizenship
|
B1
|
IELTS Life Skills at
B1 – Pass, IELTS – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening
|
For
UK visa purposes the test is designed to meet certain administrative
requirements specified by UKVI. These Test Report Forms are slightly different,
to show that the test taker has taken the test at an IELTS UKVI session. The
actual test taken is the same – same content, examiners, format, level of
difficulty, scoring and so on.
Criticism
IELTS
is a handwritten test and as such the candidate's handwriting is critical and
may result in poor grading if the examiner is unable to read a particular
handwriting style. Examiners are required to make every effort to read
handwriting. Marks are not awarded for good handwriting, and marks are not
subtracted for poor handwriting. However, if handwriting is completely
illegible, then examiners will need to consider the word as a misspelling.
Careful
attention must be paid to the type of English used to demonstrate either
British English or American English spellings. British or American spelling can
be used and they can be used together (in the way that Australian and New
Zealanders will use American spellings for some words and British spellings for
other words). However, once a test taker spells a word one way, they must
continue to spell the word that way.
Other
English proficiency tests
ACTFL Assessment of
Progress toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL)
Cambridge English
Language Assessment
Cambridge English:
Advanced (CAE)
Cambridge English:
First
Cambridge English:
Proficiency (CPE)
CAEL Canadian Academic English Language Assessment
CELPIP Canadian English Language Proficiency Index
Progra
EF Standard English
Test an open-access
standardized English test
Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency
in English (ECPE), the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in
English
ITEP, International Test of English Proficiency.
MUET, Malaysian University English Test
OPI, OPIc
PTE Academic - The Pearson Test of English
STEP, Saudi Standardized Test for English
Proficiency
STEP Eiken, Test of English
TELC, The European Language Certificates
TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEIC, Test of English for International
Communication
TrackTest, English
Proficiency Test Online (CEFR-based)
Trinity College London
ESOL
TSE, Test of Spoken English
UBELT University of Bath English Language Test
See also
·
IELTS Life Skills
·
English as a Foreign or Second Language
·
Cambridge English Language Assessment
·
British Council
·
IDP: IELTS Australia
·
International Student Admissions Test (ISAT)
·
List of admissions tests
·
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)
·
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) Academic
·
Standardised test
·
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL)
·
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
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