IELTS is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment.

IELTS is recognized by more than 6000 institutions in over 135 countries.

You can rely on IELTS - the test that sets the standard.
Christchurch Earthquake
Due to the disaster in Christchurch, the IELTS Test Center at Christchurch Polytechnic will not be open until further notice.
Test results for the 12 and 19 February will be delayed, we will endeavour to release them as soon as possible. 
The next scheduled test for the 5 March will most likely be canceled, Candidates who have registered for this test should refer to ielts.org. If you have any urgent queries please email rmt.ielts@idp.com.  
Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch at this time.
IELTS is the world’s proven test. Due to its high quality controls, IELTS is accepted by thousands of organisations in over 135 countries. 
  • Universities, schools, training colleges, tertiary institutes
  • Government departments and agencies
  • Professional and industry bodies
  • Multinational companies and employers
The IELTS Global Recognition System can tell you exactly which organisations accept IELTS and the scores they require.

Start your journey to international study or employment with an IELTS score.
We rely on IELTS for its timeliness of results
We are extremely satisfied with IELTS' reliability in communicating results within 13 days. This is extremely important for our candidates near application deadlines. The centre in Switzerland has even added additional testing dates in the past, near our deadlines, to accommodate the increasing number of students taking the IELTS, which is outstanding service. The possibility of downloading results at any time is an additional plus! Carvi Stucki, Senior Admissions Office – Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
It's a good thing to have
We ask all our students to provide us with an IELTS score to enter our courses. We believe genuine students are happy to do so and we also tell students a current IELTS score is a good thing to have for university applications, too. Lesley Powell - Leeds City College, UK

IELTS' TRF service highlighted a fraudulent report
As part of our assessment processes all IELTS reports are verified using the online IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Verification site. Access to this site has enabled us to ensure that that the IELTS results we receive are genuine.  Recently, we immediately refused, without further processing, two applications where the TRF verification website identified the IELTS report as fraudulent. The website is very user friendly and I would recommend it to anyone who assesses English ability using IELTS. Julianne O’Brien, Client Manager of the Skilled and Business Migration Program, Australian Capital Territory
IELTS helped with my special needs
I heard that British Council can arrange a special test for physically-challenged people and I applied for a lip-reading listening test. The application procedure was easy to follow, and the test was arranged with great care. I got a satisfactory score and I am more confident than ever before about studying abroad. Zhang Fang Jin
IELTS brought me great opportunities
I took IELTS and got an IELTS score 7.5. With IELTS high score, I stood out from 24 candidates for a jointly education PhD program set by the US Fulbright Program. The design of IELTS test is customised and can reflect the genuine English capability of test takers. My English skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing had been greatly improved when I prepared for IELTS. I really appreciated IELTS which brought me great opportunities and personal developments. Du Lanlan (Beijing, China), IELTS score: 7.5 – Admitted by Binghamton University
I took IELTS … and got a scholarship
I was hesitating whether to take IELTS or TOFEL. I heard of a piece of inspiring news that more than 1000 US institutions recognised IELTS and my favourite university was in the list. I made up my mind to sit IELTS. It took me two months to prepare for IELTS. I could not help crying when I saw my score was 7.0. IELTS gave me more confidence when applying for the university. In the end, two universities gave me offers and Pepperdine University gave me full scholarship. I persisted and I succeeded!
Tang Shaonan (Shanghai, China), IELTS score: 7.0 Admitted by Graziadio School of business, Pepperdine University
IELTS helped me immigrate to the USA
I took IELTS and got score 6.5 (speaking 7.0). With IELTS score, I got CGFNS (the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) and Visa Screen certificate, which paved the way for my immigration to US. Gu Liyun (China), IELTS score: 6.5
Easy registration and many test dates
The main reason why I chose IELTS is because IELTS measures the ability of four skills to communicate in English. Another reason is because IELTS registration procedure in China is very quick and convenient. Candidates have many test dates to choose. I took IELTS and got score 6.5 without taking any training courses. Finally I was admitted by PhD program of University of Georgia. It provided me US$10,000 assistantship. Cheng Xinying, IELTS score: 6.5 – Admitted by University of Georgia
IELTS meets our requirements for admission
We want to give students options for English language testing, and the IELTS exam meets all our requirements for admission. Paul Greene, Director International Admissions, Boston University
Testing the communication skills for academic work
We trust IELTS to give us a benchmark of English Language ability. Though we accept other English language tests, we assess them by comparing directly with the required IELTS score. IELTS candidates are well tested in the four main communication skills required for academic work. Hannah Wain, Senior Student Recruitment Officer, SAC – The Scottish Agricultural College
Reliable and valid
IELTS is such a reliable and valid test. The staff are a joy to work with. Andrew Bromley, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Internationally recognised standard
IELTS provides a standard that is nationally and internationally recognised. University Lecturer, Australia
IELTS for professional requirements
Good communication between doctors and patients is essential to effective care and relationships of trust. This must be underpinned by a high standard of proficiency in English. IELTS provides a reliable and internationally accessible means for doctors coming to the UK from overseas to demonstrate their language proficiency before they start work. Amanda Watson, Director of Registration and Education
Practical approach which suits our institution
At Ecole des Mines d'Albi we looked at all the tests available and chose the IELTS because we found its practical approach to testing English language skills the most suitable to our engineer undergraduate clientelle. We have not had to alter our syllabus to integrate IELTS preparation: the skills necessary to pass IELTS are skills we would be teaching anyway. Having the IELTS as an objective test helps focus on those skills in an intelligent way, accompanied by the growing IELTS community – especially on internet. Head of Languages at Ecole des Mines d'Albi
More satisfactory than other tests
It gives us a reliable indication of entry level which other tests are less satisfactory at providing. Geraldine Hughes, Kings College London
Well-constructed English proficiency test
We want qualified, competitive applicants who are able to communicate effectively and excel in their graduate work. The IELTS examination is a strong and well-constructed English proficiency test that caters to this demand. Sannie Lewis, Graduate Program Administrator, Brigham Young University
IELTS stands students in good stead
Our senior pupils in 55/56 take the IELTS course and test for entry to British universities. They are usually successfully placed in their choice of university. The IELTS course stands them in good stead for their chosen areas of study. Maureen Anderson, Morrisons Academy
An accurate indicator
IELTS offers greater clarity over an individual’s ability to communicate in English. It is an accurate indication of their ability, especially with tests taken shortly before commencing their academic study. Andy Thompson, International Relations Assistant, Bournemouth University
IELTS gives a thorough picture of a candidate’s ability
IELTS provides a reliable up to date, while stable measurement, for the institution to decide whether an international candidate meets the academic requirement for entry in terms of his/her English language proficiency. IELTS tests give a thorough picture of candidate’s ability and skills. Manman Jones, University of Wales, Bangor
A test of understanding and producing English
Before deciding to accept the IELTS as an alternative to TOEFL, I sat for the exam myself and can attest to the genuine rigor it represents. Candidates are tested not just on comprehension of written and spoken English but further on understanding and producing English of an academic nature. That there may be a perceptible slant towards British English in contrast to TOEFL's slant towards the North American brand did not strike me as a significant issue. James F Minter, Columbia University, New York
IELTS prepares students well to go abroad
To our surprise, the students really appreciate doing the IELTS preparation – and having the diploma afterwards – as they too see the range of skills as useful. There is no irrelevant vocabulary or grammatical areas to learn – just the stuff to survive, communicate and be operational in an academic or professional context. We pride ourselves at EMAC on an extensive international exchange program. IELTS prepares those students well and enables us to monitor a given student's readiness to go abroad. Head of Languages at Ecole des Mines d'Albi
Practical and convenient test times
IELTS is a great exam because the preparation for IELTS is beneficial for your overseas studies. The exam contents cover different parts of western life such as culture and lifestyle. For example, you can know how to rent a flat, how to work with real estate agents, how to use library etc. In addition, IELTS is convenient for candidates in terms of test dates and test venues, especially candidates in Beijing – you can take the exam almost every weekend. ‘ Zhang Fang Jin
Reliable indication of ability
Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne considers an IELTS qualification to be a reliable indication of a student's English language competencies and of their ability to pursue their higher education in English.
Carvi Stucki, Senior Admissions Office – Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
US bound? Hear all about IELTS at Education USA Webinar

Join Beryl E. Meiron, Director of IELTS International on 23rd and 24th February as she co-presents a webinar with EducationUSA designed for people entering universities and colleges in the USA. Beryl will explain what you need to know about IELTS and language requirements for the US.
When?
February 23, 2011: 11am – 12pm (EST)/23 February 2011: 4pm - 5pm (GMT)
February 24, 2011: 7pm – 8pm (EST)/25 February 2011 at 12am - 1am (GMT)
Where?
Participate online. We recommend you test your system is compatible with EducationUSA’s webinar software here
IELTS Professional Development Workshop in New Orleans

LOS ANGELES, February 1, 2011 – Join IELTS International for an ESL teacher workshop on March 15, 2011 in New Orleans, LA. As the world’s leading English language proficiency test, IELTS is used to provide evidence that non-native speakers have the English skills required for academic success. IELTS is trusted by over 6,000 organizations around the world, including over 3,000 institutions and programs in the U.S. IELTS tested over 1.5 million candidates globally in 2010. Registration for the workshop is free.
The IELTS professional development workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, one day prior to the opening of the TESOL 2011 Annual Convention. The free workshop will provide an introductory overview for ESL teachers who are interested in developing an IELTS test preparation course, and offer complimentary copies of IELTS resource and preparation materials. Participants will examine the basic test format, task types, writing and speaking test samples, and learn how to integrate IELTS preparation into academic course curricula.  
“More and more international ESL students studying in the U.S. want to take IELTS and are asking their teachers for information,” said Richard Halstead, U.S. Regional Manager for IELTS International. “We hope the information and resources provided will allow teachers to advise students about IELTS and successfully prepare them to do well on the test.”
Participation, refreshments and resources are complimentary. Due to limited space, interested teachers are asked to RSVP their name, title, institution, phone number and email to ielts@ieltsintl.org on or before March 1, 2011.
For more information on IELTS, please visit www.ielts.org/usa.
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IEL President, Martin Blank, is The Huffington Post’s latest featured education blogger. Check out his first post, “It Takes a Community: The Secret to Fixing our Nation’s Schools,” a commentary on the President’s State of the Union remarks on education. Read more.