The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a well-known test used to check the English skills of people whose first language is not English.
At first, IELTS was mostly needed for studying in the UK and Australia, but now many universities in the USA, Canada, and Europe also accept IELTS scores.
This test is jointly organized by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
Who Can Take the IELTS Test?
Anyone can take the IELTS exam.
✅ There is no minimum education level required
✅ There is no age limit
Types of IELTS Tests
There are two types of IELTS tests:
- Academic Module
For students who want to do a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in a foreign university.
- General Training Module
For those who want to join training programs or go abroad for immigration purposes.
IELTS Test Format
IELTS has four sections, and both modules (Academic & General Training) follow the same structure:
- Listening
You will hear recordings and answer 40 questions in 30 minutes.
The recordings are played only once.
You will hear different accents: British, American, Canadian, and Australian.
Tips:
Watch English movies, news, sports commentary, and YouTube videos to get used to different accents.
- Reading
You have 1 hour to read 3 texts and answer 40 questions.
Texts come from journals, newspapers, books, and magazines.
Tips:
Read the questions first before reading the text.
Practice reading English newspapers and books daily.
A strong vocabulary helps a lot in this section.
- Writing
You have 1 hour to write answers for 2 tasks.
Task 1: Describe a graph, chart, or diagram (for academic purposes).
Task 2: Write an essay on a given topic.
Tips:
Follow a clear format:
➤ Introduction
➤ Main idea
➤ Reason/Analysis
➤ Example
Read articles from BBC, The Economist, or watch TED Talks to improve writing ideas and vocabulary.
- Speaking
Takes 11 to 14 minutes, face-to-face with an examiner.
Part 1: Basic questions about yourself (family, studies, hobbies).
Part 2: Speak for 2 minutes on a given topic (1-minute prep time).
Part 3: Discussion with the examiner (4-5 minutes).
What they check:
Fluency (how smooth you speak)
Vocabulary
Grammar accuracy
Pronunciation
Tips:
Practice speaking English daily with friends or yourself.
Record your speech and check for mistakes.
Watch English interviews or podcasts to learn new expressions.
Real Student Experiences
🎤 Tawseef Ferdous Tan (University of Dhaka)
Scored: Reading: 9 | Listening & Speaking: 8.5 | Writing: 7
No coaching, studied by himself
Followed IELTS Liz and English with Speakers on YouTube
Practiced daily using mock tests
Watched videos at 1.25x speed to improve listening
🗣 “Speaking fluency and vocabulary are very important. Reading and listening are easier if you read newspapers or books regularly.”
🎤 Ritwik Dutta (BUET Graduate & Lecturer)
Teaching at Port City International University
Scored well in IELTS and received a scholarship
Prepared using YouTube, articles, and mock tests
Took help from a mentor for writing and speaking practice
🗣 “TOEFL scores are faster to send, but IELTS helped me get a scholarship too. For speaking and writing, having a teacher to check your answers is helpful.”
✅ Best Preparation Tips
📘 Books & Guides
Cambridge IELTS Student’s Book (Highly recommended)
Indian IELTS guides (Easy language)
💻 Online Resources
Websites:
IELTS Liz
IELTS Simon
IELTS Mentor
IELTS Buddy
IELTS Fighter
YouTube Channels:
IELTS with Liz
IELTS Advantage
TED Talks
🧪 Mock Tests
Practice full tests with time limits
Always check and understand your mistakes
🎧 Listening & Speaking Practice
Listen to English news, movies, and podcasts daily
Try speaking English every day, even to yourself
Final Words
IELTS is more than just a test—it’s your proof of English skills that can open the door to higher education, immigration, and career opportunities worldwide.
If you stay focused and follow a good plan, you can succeed in IELTS easily!