IELTS Academic is for study purposes, while IELTS General Training is for work or immigration. The Reading and Writing sections differ in difficulty and content.
IELTS
IELTS
Quick Facts
$187+
Cost
9
Max. Score
8.5
CAE Max. Score
What is the IELTS?
The IELTS Academic test is designed for students who want to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies in English-speaking countries. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying in an academic environment where English is the primary language of instruction.
CAE'S Students Scores in IELTS Test
Ahana Joshi
IELTS- 8.5
Sanya Seth
IELTS- 8.5
Saumya Seth
IELTS- 8.0
Abhiraj Singh
IELTS- 7.5
Syed Amjad
IELTS - 8.0
Test Structure: Academic IELTS
Understand the structure, timing, and question types of each section of the TOEFL iBT exam.
Listening
- Time: 30 minutes + 10 minutes (paper-based only)
- Format: 4 recordings (monologues & conversations)
- Questions: 40
- Skills Tested: Understanding main ideas, specific details, opinions, and purpose
Reading
- Time: 60 minutes
- Format: 3 long academic texts from books, journals, or magazines
- Questions: 40
- Skills Tested: Reading for gist, detail, logical flow, and interpreting arguments
Reading
- Time: 60 minutes
- Tasks:
- Task 1: Describe visual data (graph, chart, table, map, process)
- Task 2: Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem
- Word Count: 150 words (Task 1), 250 words (Task 2)
- Skills Tested: Clarity, coherence, argument development, vocabulary, grammar
Speaking
- Time: 11-14 minutes
- Format: Face-to-face interview with an examiner
- Sections:
- ○ Part 1: Introduction & general questions
- ○ Part 2: Individual long turn (1-2 minute speech)
- ○ Part 3: In-depth discussion
- Skills Tested: Fluency, coherence, pronunciation, lexical resource, grammatical accuracy
Modes of Academic IELTS
- Computer-based IELTS: Results in 3-5 days
- Paper-based IELTS: Results in 13 days
- IELTS Academic Online: Take from home (accepted by select universities)
Test Duration
- Listening: 30 minutes
- Reading: 60 minutes
- Writing: 60 minutes
- Speaking: 11-14 minutes
- Total Time: ~2 hours 45 minutes
Exam Fee in India (2024)
- IELTS Academic (Computer/Paper): ₹16,250
- IELTS Academic Online: ₹16,250
(Fee may vary slightly based on location)
Scoring System
- Each section scored on a band scale of 0-9
- Overall band score is the average of all four section scores
- No pass or fail - score requirements vary by university
Score Guide:
| Band Score | Proficiency Level |
| 9 | Expert User |
| 8 | Very Good User |
| 7 | Good User |
| 6 | Competent User |
| 5 | Modest User |
Global Acceptance of Academic IELTS
- Recognized by 11,000+ institutions in over 140 countries
- Widely accepted in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe
- Required for student visas and university admissions
Why Choose IELTS Academic?
Specifically designed for academic settings
Multiple test formats (online, paper, computer)
Fast and reliable score reporting
High acceptance rate globally
Trusted by top-ranked universities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
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How many times can I take the IELTS test?
There is no limit to how many times you can take IELTS. You can reattempt whenever test dates are available.
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How long is the IELTS score valid?
IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.
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Can I send my scores to universities?
Yes. You can send your IELTS results to up to 5 institutions for free. Additional score reports can be ordered for a fee.
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Is the IELTS test paper-based or computer-based?
IELTS Academic is available in both paper-based and computer-based formats. An online version (from home) is also available for Academic only.