The International English Language Testing System is an English language test that is used, among other things, when applying for studies abroad, a job in an international company or when applying for a visa (e.g. to the UK). The course can be taken at designated centres, the list of which can be found on the official British Council and IELTS websites.

IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times in paper, computer or online form.

The IELTS certificate is valid for 2 years.

The test is available in several variants: on paper (PB) and computer (CB) – both variants at the test centre.

Types of test:

IELTS General Training – for migrants and people applying for jobs in international companies;

IELTS Academic – for those applying for courses taught in English, offered by universities around the world; as the name suggests, it examines the academic potential of the candidate for studies. In some countries (e.g. the UK) it is useful when applying for a student visa.

What does the test look like?

The IELTS Academic or General Training test tests the ability to argue logically and draw conclusions correctly, write correctly, read with comprehension, and know practical vocabulary.

Part I: Reading

Duration: 60 min

This part consists of 3 longer texts and a total of approx. 40 questions about them. The texts have the form of those that can be found in English-language books, scientific journals and magazines. The questions in this part refer to a fairly extensive fragment of the text. The candidate must, among other things, indicate true or false sentences, match the most accurate statements consistent with the author’s message in the text.

Part II: Listening

Duration: 30 minutes (+10 minutes to transfer the answers to the card)

The listening part contains 40 questions of varied form. Candidates must be prepared to complete multiple choice questions, fill in gaps and diagrams, and provide short answers. The questions are divided between four recordings:

1 is a conversation between two people in an everyday situation;

2 is a monologue with a similar range of topics to the first recording;

3 is a dialogue between several people on more global topics;

4 is a monologue related to education.

The recordings are played only once. During the exam, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the content of the tasks as much as possible before you start listening.

Part III: Writing

Duration: 60 minutes

The written part of the IELTS exam consists of two tasks. The first is allocated 20 minutes, the second – 40 minutes.

The first text is to be an interpretation of data presented in graphic form (e.g. a table, graph, diagram). The content contained in them must be described, summarised and explained in your own words. The volume of the statement should be around 150 words.

In the second task, the examinee must share their opinion (in around 250 words) on the presented topic. The text should be in the form of a short essay.

In both tasks, a formal style is required, and the statements are assessed according to the following four criteria: coherence, linguistic richness, fulfilment of the task, use of correct grammatical structures.

Part IV: Speaking

Duration: around 11-14 minutes

Speaking consists of a three-part conversation with the examiner:

The first 4-5 minutes are the time to introduce yourself and answer general questions about the examinee’s work, school, interests and family.

In the second part, you must prepare a statement regarding the presented picture. The candidate will have 1 minute to prepare the statement and 2 minutes to present it.

The examiner may ask questions – these constitute the last, 4-5 minute part of the speaking and are intended to allow the candidate to discuss more abstract aspects of the topic.

This part of the exam may cover various topics, from animals or work, through life values ​​and important events (celebrating particular holidays), to advertising or the impact of social media on society.

Knowledge needed:

Grammar Tenses

  1. Present Simple
  2. Present Continuous
  3. Present Perfect
  4. Present Perfect Continuous
  5. Past Simple
  6. Past Continuous
  7. Past Perfect
  8. Past Perfect Continuous
  9. Future Simple
  10. Future Continuous
  11. Future Perfect
  12. Future Perfect Continuous
  • Types of Sentences
  • WH-questions
  • Question Tags
  • Passive Voice
  • Reported Speech
  • Conditionals
  • Relative Clauses
  • Common Constructions
  • Types of Words
  • Countable & Uncountable Nouns
  • Reflexive Pronouns
  • Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns
  • Articles
  • Quantifiers
  • Modal Verbs
  • Irregular Verbs
  • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
  • Prepositions of Time and Place
  • Other structures
  • Idioms
  • False Friends
  • Vocabulary
  • Growing up
  • Health
  • Science, Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Modern World
  • Environment
  • Living in the city
  • Tourism, Discovery
  • Job, Business
  • Through the Ages
  • The Natural World
  • Communication Skills
  • Energy, Resources
  • The Culture Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Design and Contruction
  • The Media
  • The Law
  • General knowledge
  • Formal and informal 
    • figures of speech
    • forms of written expression
    • tips before the test