IELTS: Your Gateway to Global Opportunities

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most widely recognized English language proficiency test. Accepted by over 12,000 organizations across 140+ countries, IELTS is developed by leading language assessment experts. It’s your passport to global education, work, and immigration opportunities.

Why Take IELTS?

With IELTS, you can:

Apply to universities for English-taught courses in any country worldwide.
Study abroad for short-term programs or exchange opportunities.
Work internationally in professional organizations requiring advanced English skills.
Immigrate to English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, USA, or Australia.

Why Choose the British Council for IELTS?

Millions of people trust the British Council for their IELTS journey. As a globally renowned organization, the British Council provides expert support, flexible test formats, and world-class preparation resources to help candidates succeed.

Which IELTS Test is Right for You?

Which IELTS Test is Right for You? Choose the test that aligns with your goals:

IELTS Academic

For those pursuing higher education or professional registration, IELTS Academic evaluates your readiness for academic settings.

IELTS General Training

Perfect for work, immigration, or everyday communication, this test reflects real-life social and workplace situations.

Tip: Always confirm the test type required by your chosen institution or organization.

Test Formats Available in the UAE

Candidates in the UAE can choose from the following test formats:

On paper: Conducted at an official test centre.
On computer: Conducted at an official test centre with faster results (available within 3–5 days).

Please note: The IELTS Online test (Academic) is not available in the UAE.

IELTS Test Structure and Scoring

Prepare to be assessed across four skills:

Listening (30 minutes)
Reading (60 minutes)
Writing (60 minutes)
Speaking (11–14 minutes)

🕒 Total test time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Each section is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9, with an overall score reflecting your proficiency level.

You can find more information here.

British Council Resources

Maximize your IELTS performance with these resources:

IELTS Ready Premium: Includes 40+ practice tests, live and recorded lessons, templates, and expert Q&A support. (Free with your British Council booking.)
Practice simulations: Get familiar with the test format.
Webinars: Join free sessions to understand the test structure and question types.