EdMIUMThe International English Language Testing System evaluates a candidate’s English proficiency level. Candidates who want to pursue higher education in foreign countries or plan for a migration have to sit for the test and get a high score.
The British Council and IDP are organizing bodies for this language proficiency test. The IELTS exam is conducted in 140 countries with more than 1200 test centers.
Candidates who are planning to study abroad have to take the IELTS Academic test. IELTS General Training is for candidates who want to migrate to another country for professional reasons.
In this article, let us look at:
- IELTS Exam Pattern
- How long is the IELTS Score valid?
- IELTS Certificate Validity
- Is IELTS validity extended to 3 years?
- Can you sit for IELTS more than once?
1. IELTS Exam Pattern
Candidates preparing for the exam, irrespective of the type of exam you prepare, these modules are the same.
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
You have to prepare for all the four sections. The score is counted for the individual bands as well as the overall score. The overall score is the average mark of the individual sections. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours 45 minutes. The three sections of the exam are conducted on the same day (listening, reading and writing). Speaking exam is conducted a week before or after the exam.
Individual Section Description
The total duration of the exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The individual time duration of all the modules are mentioned here.
| Section | Duration | No. Of Questions |
| Listening | 30 minutes | 40 |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 40 |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 Tasks |
| Speaking | 11-15 minutes | 3 Parts |
2. How long is the IELTS Score valid?
The IELTS exam results are announced within 5 to 7 days for the online method and 13 days after the exam for offline method from the date of exam. IELTS Validity is for two years from the date of receiving the score. The Validity is same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. The validity is mentioned on the scorecard.
3. IELTS Certificate Validity
The IELTS certificate validity date can be calculated once you get the result. The validity period is for two years. The validity is not considered after the expiry date.
4. Is IELTS validity extended to 3 years?
The question is being asked many times as the rumor is going around regarding the extension of the IELTS exam score validity. The score validity is still 2 years. You can refer to the official IELTS website for more insight on this.
5. Can you sit for IELTS more than once?
You can appear for the IELTS examination as many times as you want in a year. You can use the most recent result in order to proceed with your application. This helps for IELTS validity extension.
IELTS score is accepted by more than 10,000 organizations throughout the world which includes universities, immigration departments and professional organizations. IELTS result validity is different for different countries. Let us check the same.
Canada:
The IELTS exam validity is for two years.
The Canadian Immigration needs candidates to submit their IELTS score before the IELTS expiry. The core must be submitted within a year you file the application.
United States of America:
The IELTS exam score is accepted by over 3400 institutions in the United States. The IELTS test operations are held throughout the country by providing the test centers. The IELTS test validity is for two years.
Australia:
IELTS exam validity period for Australia is two years.
Australian General skilled Migration accepts 2 years old test scores. From 1st July 2021, the score validity is changed to three years.
United Kingdom:
The IELTS validity time for the United Kingdom is 2 years.
The validity is same for both Academic and General Training. You have to keep tracking the websites for any updates or changes regarding the test and the validity period.
