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2027 Student Guide

What is IELTS? Everything a Student Needs to Know

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IELTS Exam Overview

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a leading English language proficiency test, developed by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English. It evaluates listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills for those aiming to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. With a grading scale from 1 to 9, IELTS is crucial for achieving global ambitions. At Shabuj Global Education we recognize its importance in helping you reach your goals. Keep reading for an overview of the IELTS exam.

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IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic is for those who want to study at a higher education institution or for professional registration.

Types of IELTS

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General Training

IELTS General Training is for those who want to work, migrate, or study at a secondary level in an English-speaking country.

Test Format

IELTS format image 1IELTS format image 2IELTS format image 3IELTS format image 4

The IELTS test is around 2 hours and 45 minutes long and consists of four parts:

  • Listening icon
    Listening — 30 minutes
  • Reading icon
    Reading — 60 minutes
  • Writing icon
    Writing — 60 minutes
  • Speaking icon
    Speaking — 11–14 minutes

IELTS Exam Fees in 2025

Current IELTS exam fees for 2025 by test type and format.
Test TypeTest FormatExam Fee (£)
IELTS AcademicComputer-based£200
IELTS General TrainingComputer-based£200
IELTS AcademicPaper-based£200
IELTS General TrainingPaper-based£200
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)Computer-based£220
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)Paper-based£220
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)Speaking & Listening£150
Module Guide

IELTS Academic vs. General Training: Which One Do You Need?

Selecting the appropriate test module is essential. While Listening and Speaking components are identical in format and scoring, the Reading and Writing papers evaluate distinct language skills.

Assessment CriteriaIELTS AcademicIELTS General Training
Target AudienceUndergraduate, postgraduate university applicants and professional licensing bodies (GMC, NMC, etc.).Work visa applicants, secondary school students, and permanent migration programs (Canada Express Entry, Australia PR).
Reading Format3 long analytical, research-grade texts sourced from academic journals, books, and international publications.Extracts from daily work notices, employee handbooks, commercial notices, and mainstream periodicals.
Writing Task 1Analyze and interpret visual data (graphs, bar charts, process diagrams, or statistical tables) in 150 words.Draft a formal, semi-formal, or personal letter addressing an everyday situation in 150 words.
Writing Task 2Structured academic essay discussing a formal issue, argument, or problem (minimum 250 words).Semi-formal discursive essay presenting an opinion with personal examples (minimum 250 words).
Listening & SpeakingIdentical across both tests: 30 minutes listening (4 recordings) and 11–14 minutes one-to-one speaking.Identical across both tests: 30 minutes listening (4 recordings) and 11–14 minutes one-to-one speaking.
Admission Benchmarks

Target Band Score Lookup by Country & Degree Level

Universities define specific overall and minimum sub-band scores. Use these benchmarks to determine your application target:

Destination & Degree LevelTypical Overall BandComponent MinimumAdmission Insights
UK Universities (Undergraduate)6.0 – 6.5Minimum 5.5 eachMany institutions offer pre-sessional English courses if scores fall 0.5 below requirement
UK Russell Group & Postgraduate6.5 – 7.5Minimum 6.0 – 6.5 eachCompetitive faculties (Law, Medicine, Clinical sciences) typically demand 7.0+
Canada Public Universities (Master's)6.5 – 7.0Minimum 6.0 eachStandard benchmark for postgraduate admissions and competitive graduate assistantships
Australia & New Zealand Universities6.5Minimum 6.0 eachStandard direct entry benchmark for Student Subclass 500 visa and degree courses
USA Colleges & Universities6.5 – 7.5Minimum 6.0 eachWidely recognized by 3,400+ American universities as an alternative to TOEFL

Test Day Protocol for Candidates

  • Original Valid Passport: Bring the exact passport used during test registration. Digital copies and national ID cards are not accepted.
  • Biometric Verification: Arrive 45–60 minutes early for identity validation, finger scans, and official test-day photography.
  • Consecutive Testing: Listening, Reading, and Writing are administered without scheduled intervals over 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Shabuj Global Application Support

As an official British Council registration partner, Shabuj Global Education assists students across Bangladesh and the UK:

  • British Council official test registration & date booking
  • University minimum English requirement & waiver checks (MOI)
  • Advising on IELTS Academic vs. UKVI test route selection
  • Pre-sessional English course placement for partner institutions
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IELTS FAQs

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