Your Introduction

to IELTS in the USA

ielts.org/usa
Success starts with IELTS

Your interest in the International English Language Testing

System (IELTS) is the first step towards opening international
study, work, and migration opportunities around the world!
We’ve prepared this information pack to answer some of the
most frequently asked questions about IELTS, in order to
support your path to success.

IELTS is the world’s most popular high-stakes English

proficiency test with more than 3.5 million tests taken last year.
Trusted and used by over 10,000 organizations in more than 140
countries around the world, IELTS offers you a fair and accurate
measure of your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities.

Did you know IELTS

is accepted by…
99% of American 4-year colleges
and universities that enroll the most
international students.

99% of the top 100 US business

schools that enroll the most
international students.

98% of the top 100 US community

colleges that enroll the most
international students.

IELTS is the test that prepares you for real world communication. As a test of English as an
“international language”, IELTS includes American, Australian, and British accents and spellings.
Plus, the face-to-face speaking test prompts a more realistic performance of your abilities to
effectively communicate in English in a real-life setting.

As soon as you are ready to test your English language skills, register for IELTS and start your
journey to the US!

ielts.org/usa
IELTS is designed to measure the English language skills of people who want
to study or work where English is the language used, and covers a full range of
proficiency levels from non-user to expert user.

IELTS is accepted by institutions all around the world, making it an internationally

recognized test. More than 10,000 organizations, including universities,
employers, professional bodies, immigration authorities, and other government
agencies trust IELTS as proof of English abilities.

Continue reading to find out why more people go more places with IELTS!

IELTS is offered up to four times a month (48 set test dates each year)
ACCESSIBLE in more than 140 countries, and in more than 50 test centers across
AND the United States. Tests are held on Saturdays and Thursdays. To
find upcoming test dates and your nearest test center, go to ielts.org/
CONVENIENT testcenters.

IELTS is an internationally focused test with texts and tasks that are
sourced from publications from all over the English-speaking world. A
GLOBAL range of native-speaker accents (American, Australian, British, New
Zealand, etc.) are used in the Listening test and all standard varieties
of English are accepted throughout the test.

9
C2

Proficient user
TRIED
8
IELTS has been developed by some of the world’s leading experts in 7.5
AND language assessment, and is supported by an extensive program of
C1 7
research, validation, and test development.
TRUSTED 6.5

Independent user
B2 5.5

4.5
IELTS is designed to assess English language skills across a wideB1
9-BAND range of levels. There is no such thing a pass or fail in IELTS. 4

SCALE Results are reported as band scores on a scale of 1 (the lowest)

to 9 (the highest).
3.5

A2 3 Basic user
2.5

2
A1 1.5
More information on IELTS band scores can 1
be found at ielts.org/bandscore. The IELTS Band Scale

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Find information about how to prepare

for your test at ielts.org/prepare.
IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training
There are two tests – Academic and General Training, so it is important to confirm which test you
need to take before you register and book your seat. Each organization that accepts IELTS will
determine which test you will need for your application. In some cases, both Academic and General
Training may be accepted. If you are in doubt as to which test to take, you should contact the
organization you are applying to in order to check their requirements.

In both Academic and General Training tests, you are tested on all four language skills – listening,
reading, writing, and speaking. Everyone takes the same Listening and Speaking tests, but there
are different Reading and Writing tests for IELTS Academic and General Training.

The Listening, Reading and Writing tests must be completed on the same day, and there are no
breaks between these sections of the test. The Speaking test may be taken up to seven days
before or after the other three sections at the discretion of the test center.

CHOOSE THE TEST YOU NEED

Listening
• Four recorded 30
monologues
and conversations
Academic General
60 Training 60
Reading
Reading
• Three long reading • Sections 1 and
passages with tasks 2 contain two or
three short factual
• Texts may include
texts; Section 3 has
diagrams, graphs,
one longer, more
or illustrations
complex text
• Texts are taken
• Texts are taken
from books,
from notices, ads,
journals,
handbooks, official
magazines,
documents, books
and newspapers
and newspapers

General
Academic 60
60 Training
Writing
Writing
• Writing task of at
least 150 words • Writing task of at
where the test taker least 150 words
must summarize, where the test
describe, or explain taker must write a
letter explaining a
a table, graph, chart Speaking
or diagram situation
• Face-to-face 14
Short essay task of • Short essay task of
• interview
at least 250 words at least 250 words
without disruptions
or distractions
• Includes short
questions, speaking at
length about a familiar
topic and a structured
discussion

General Training tests dates are offered less

often than Academic tests per year, so be
sure to check test availability for the test you
need to take at ielts.org/testcenters.

ielts.org/usa
 Book your test in the USA

The IELTS USA test center network is

comprised of more than 50 official test
centers and venues located on US community
college, university, and language school
campuses in major metropolitan cities across
the country. The cost to take IELTS in the US
ranges between $215-240 USD (test fees are
determined independently by test centers and
vary by location).

Find a US test center online

To register for an IELTS test in the US, you will

need to complete an online application form.

• Visit ielts.org/testcenters to find a list of all

US test centers, then select your preferred
center.
• Once you are ready to register, select the
BOOK NOW button or at ieltsusatest.org. Book Now
• On the online registration page, select
• Country/Territory: United States of
America
• Location: Your preferred city
• Test Module: Academic or General
Training
• Select your preferred center and
continue following the instructions to
complete your registration. Remember
to read all the information provided on
the registration pages.
• Available Test Dates: If a test date is
not listed, either there is no test on the
date selected at the center you have
chosen or the test has been sold out
for that day.

If you are applying to UK Visas and

Immigration (UKVI) from within the United
States, visit ielts.org/unitedkingdom to
select from a range of IELTS tests for UKVI
purposes.

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Find information about how to prepare

for your test at ielts.org/prepare.
 Prepare for your test

Below are some recommendations of things you should consider as

you prepare for IELTS:

• Familiarize yourself with the test format and question task types.
• Read the IELTS Information for Candidates booklet downloadable
from the IELTS website. Hard copies are also available from your
local IELTS test center.
• Review sample test questions to practice.
• LIKE the IELTS Official Facebook page for tips to help you improve
your English.
• Read the information and requirements sent by your test center to
make sure you understand the test procedures.

2017

Arrange your schedule

Improve your English

Get plenty of rest the

night before so you
are more relaxed on
Listen to English
test day.
language radio, TV,
and film.
Read English
magazines and
Plan your journey to the newspapers regularly.
test center. Ensure you
know how to get there so
you can arrive on time.

Write emails and notes

in English.

Be ready
for Test Day

Arrive early at the test

center to allow time to
check-in and be seated
for the test.
Don’t forget to bring the
passport you used to
register for the test.

Remember that you

are not allowed to bring
personal belongings
into the test room. You can also find a variety of digital and
print preparation resources at
go.ieltsusa.org/ieltsusaprep.

ielts.org/usa
Results in 13 days

You will receive a paper copy of your Test Report Form which reports
a score for each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing, and
speaking), as well as an overall band score. Half band scores may be
awarded to indicate a strong performance within a particular band.

IELTS results are released 13 days after you take the test, and you
will receive only one copy of your Test Report Form by postal mail.
The IELTS Administrator will mail your results to the address you
entered on your online registration, so please make sure your address
is correct. Test centers are not permitted to give test results over the
phone or by fax or email.

The IELTS test center will also send a copy of your Test Report Form
to up to five (5) institutions or organizations free of charge if you list
them on your online registration.

It is recommended that you keep your Test Report Form in a secure

location. If you need to request your test results to be sent to an
institution after you have taken the test, contact the test center where
you took the test. Please note, the test center may charge a small
administrative fee.

Preview your results online

IELTS USA allows test takers to view test

results online approximately 13 days after the
test is taken, which will remain available for 28
days. The online preview of scores cannot be
used as an official IELTS Test Report Form,
which will be issued by postal mail.

Please note, the Test Report Form number

listed on the online IELTS results page does
not reflect your official paper Test Report Form
number and this number should not be shared
with institutions where you are submitting
your application. The official Test Report Form
number will only be available on the paper
Test Report Form that is received by postal
mail.

The online results preview for US test takers

can be found at ielts.org/results.

If you are unhappy with your IELTS

result, you may re-take the test at your
convenience, or you can apply for a re-mark
(Enquiry on Results) through the test center
where you took the test within six weeks
from your test date. Check with your Test
Center for details.
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Find information about how to prepare

for your test at ielts.org/prepare.
SUCCESS
STARTS
WITH
IELTS

For more information about IELTS in the USA,

contact us at:

IELTS USA
825 Colorado Blvd., Suite 221
Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA
ielts@ieltsusa.org

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. ielts.org/usa