IELTS Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024 - Age Limit and Education Qualifications

IELTS is an international English language testing system conducted by IDP in India. IDP, the official administering body for the IELTS exam, has not stated any specific IELTS eligibility criteria. Any candidate who wishes to study abroad is eligible to apply for the IELTS 2024 regardless of gender, region, religion, race, etc. The only IELTS exam eligibility criteria recommended by IDP is for applicants to be at least 16 years of age at the time of exam registration. However, no specific limitation has been set for the maximum age limit for IELTS.

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This Story also Contains

1. IELTS Exam Eligibility Criteria
2. Latest Updates for IELTS Eligibility
3. Types of IELTS Exams
4. Countries Accepting IELTS Exam
5. IELTS Registration

Similarly, IELTS eligibility criteria do not specify any specific academic requirements for international students. Applicants must ensure that they have a valid passport before registering for the IELTS. This is the only requirement without which an applicant will not be eligible for the test.

The IELTS exam is available in most of the countries and accepted by numerous top universities worldwide. Read the complete article to learn more about the IELTS eligibility criteria, like age limit, minimum educational qualification, and other useful information.

IELTS Exam Eligibility Criteria

A mentioned that there are no defined eligibility criteria for IELTS, and there are few recommendations for the same. Along with the age criteria for IELTS exam 2024, below are a few mandatory requirements to be met by Indian applicants at the time of IELTS registration:

Latest Updates for IELTS Eligibility

There are instances when applicants score a low band and are willing to improve their IELTS score. For this case, there are no IELTS test eligibility criteria mentioned by IDP for reattempting the exam. Once prepared, applicants can appear for the reattempt.

IELTS One Skill Retake: There are 4 sections in the IELTS test. With this one-skill retake facility, the candidate has the opportunity to reattempt that one particular section in which they have scored less. The applicant can take an IELTS one-skill retake within 90 days of the earlier test results.

Types of IELTS Exams

The IELTS exam assesses an individual’s English language proficiency. This exam is given by individuals from a non-native English-speaking country who are planning to study or work in international countries. IDP IELTS has provided 4 major types of IELTS exams, each fitting for an individual’s needs. Before registering for IELTS, it is highly recommended that the applicant learn more about the different kinds of IELTS tests. After careful consideration, the applicant can then select the type of IELTS and the format suitable for their needs. There are 2 formats as well for IELTS, namely, computer-based IELTS and paper-based IELTS.

IELTS Academic

The IELTS Academic test is designed for individuals seeking admission at top universities abroad. Whether applicants plan to apply for an undergraduate, postgraduate or professional registration like nurse, doctor, etc., IELTS Academic will be the right choice. This exam is for 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the applicants get to choose the suitable IELTS exam format. The general eligibility criteria are applicable for IELTS Academic as well.

IELTS General Training

This type of IELTS exam is suitable for applicants planning to migrate to English-speaking countries. The reason for migration can be to study or to work. Applicants wanting to pursue secondary education internationally are required to give IELTS General Training. The duration of the test is the same as IELTS Academic test, which is 2 hours and 45 minutes. No specific eligibility requirements are mentioned for IELTS General Training. The applicant can choose the format for this type of IELTS as well.

The IELTS syllabus has four sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In the syllabus, the listening and speaking sections are common, and reading and writing are different in both IELTS General and Academic. However, the IELTS pattern is the same for the tests.

IELTS UKVI

UKVI stands for United Kingdom Visas and Immigration. The IELTS UKVI is suitable for applicants who wish to study or work in the UK. The type of the IELTS exam is available in both modules of IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic. However, the test format for the IELTS UKVI can only be conducted in person at the IELTS centre for the UKVI exam. This is due to security purposes. In addition, to attain the UK visa, the applicants are required to fulfil the minimum score eligibility.

IELTS Lifeskills

This type of IELTS exam is attempted by applicants who need to acquire a UK visa for work or further studies. This is to prove the English language skills for CEFR (Common European of Reference) for languages of level A1 and B1. The IELTS Life Skills for the UK consists of an IELTS listening and speaking section to evaluate the candidate's English proficiency.

Countries Accepting IELTS Exam

IELTS is one of the most popular exams worldwide. The test is accepted by over 12,000 organisations in 140 countries across the world. The IELTS score is accepted for study and immigration purposes in many countries. The IELTS eligibility to study or work in any country is the same for everyone.

Popular countries Accepting IELTS are

• USA

• UK

• Canada

• Germany

• Australia

• New Zealand

• Ireland

The IELTS selection procedure can vary depending on the type of IELTS exam accepted by the institute or organisation. Each university or the immigration authority has its own minimum IELTS score requirement. Applicants must check the IELTS requirements of each institute and course individually before the admission application. Here are the minimum IELTS scores required by top universities in the eligible countries.

Minimum IELTS Score Required by Top Universities in the USA

IELTS Score Required by Top Universities in the UK

IELTS Eligibility Score for Top Universities in Ireland

Minimum Eligibility Score for Top Universities in Australia

IELTS Registration

Once the candidate checks the IELTS eligibility, they can proceed with the IELTS registration process. The IELTS application form 2024 can be filled out online at the IDP IELTS official website. The candidate can select the nearest IELTS test centre and convenient IELTS exam dates for attempting the test.

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