How the exam is conducted:
The exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes and includes four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. All sections are taken on the same day without breaks, although the Speaking section can be completed up to a week before or after the exam.
Listening (30 minutes). You must listen to four recordings of native English speakers (everyday dialogue, monologue, a conversation between four people in an educational context, and a monologue on an academic topic) and write down answers to various types of questions—choosing an answer, completing a sentence, filling in missing words, etc.
Academic Reading (60 minutes). The examinee is given three long texts from books, academic journals, or newspapers. You must answer 40 questions (choosing an answer, comparing information, interpreting the author's views, etc.)
General Reading (60 minutes). This section consists of 40 questions on materials from books, magazines, advertisements, reference books, etc. Unlike academic reading, this section tests your ability to process everyday information.
Academic Writing (60 minutes). You must complete two tasks: describe, summarize, or interpret information from a graph, table, or diagram, and write an essay on the given problem.
General Writing (60 minutes). The test-taker must write a letter requesting information or explaining a situation, and also write an essay on the given question.
Speaking (11-14 minutes). This section consists of three parts: a general conversation about oneself, a monologue on a given topic, and answers to questions on the topic. The test is conducted in a live format, with responses recorded.
The maximum IELTS score is 9. Generally, a minimum of 7.5 is required for admission to prestigious universities. A score of 6.5 or higher is considered a high score.
Many applicants prefer to take the IELTS over the TOEFL iBT because they find it more comfortable to take the Speaking section in a live format. You can retake the IELTS as many times as you like, with any breaks in between. Any subsequent certificate will not cancel the validity of the previous one.
However, it's important to remember that each attempt costs money, and there are no discounts for retakes. To achieve better scores, additional preparation is recommended before the next exam.
It's also worth considering that the paper-based IELTS is administered 3-4 times per month, while the computer-based test is administered even more frequently.
