IELTS Exam 2024 - Test Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern & Result

Candidates preparing to appear in the IELTS exam must check the complete IELTS eligibility criteria. The IELTS exam conducting body has set no particular IELTS eligibility criteria to appear in the examination. However, students and job seekers can check eligibility for their organisation or university, wherever they are applying. Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for IELTS exam.

The eligibility criteria for IELTS exam to appear for the test are mentioned below. 

Age Requirement: There is no set age limit for IELTS candidates. Individuals of any age can take the test. However, the minimum age to appear for IDP IELTS exam is 16 years old, as the test is not recommended for candidates below this age.

Educational Qualifications: IELTS exam does not have specific educational requirements. Whether you aim to pursue higher education abroad, work internationally, or for any other purpose, you are eligible to take either the Academic or General Training of the IELTS exam.

Nationality and Background: IELTS exam is open to people of all nationalities, races, genders, and religious backgrounds. It is a universally accessible test that does not discriminate based on these factors.

Institution or Employer Requirements: While IELTS exam itself has inclusive eligibility, it's crucial to check the specific requirements of the educational institution or employer you are applying. Some institutions or employers may have additional criteria or score prerequisites for IELTS, so always verify their individual requirements.

To appear for the IELTS exam 2024, candidates must complete the IELTS registration and schedule a test. However, it is advised that students select a nearby IELTS India test centre during registration. 

How to register for the IDP IELTS exam?

Below are the step-by-step guidelines for filling out the IELTS exam application form.

Step 1: Create an IELTS Account

To begin, you will need to create an account on the official IELTS registration website. You are required to submit your personal information, including your full name, contact details, and date of birth.

Step 2: Choose a Test Type

During registration, you will select the type of IELTS exam you wish to take. The two main options are the Academic or General Training test. Be sure to pick the one that suits your requirements.

Step 3: Select an IELTS Test Centre

You need to choose a convenient IELTS center. IDP has numerous IELTS test centers in various cities, so select one that is easily accessible for you.

Step 4: Schedule IELTS Exam Dates

After selecting a test center, you can check available IELTS exam dates 2024 and choose the one that fits your schedule. Make sure to book well in advance, as popular test dates fill up quickly.

Step 5: Submit Details

During the IELTS registration process, one needs to upload a clear, valid copy of your identification document, which typically includes your passport or national ID. Ensure that the document is current and will remain so on the test day.

Step 6: Payment of IELTS Exam Fees

Payment for the IELTS exam can be made online through the registration portal. Make sure to keep your payment receipt for future reference.

Step 7: Confirmation and Information

After successful registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email with test details, including the date, time, and location. Be sure to review this information carefully.

IELTS Exam Fee 2024

Fees for the IELTS exam vary for different exam types. Candidates have to select their exam type and pay the IELTS registration fees while booking the IELTS slot.

IELTS Exam Fee  

IDP IELTS Exam Booking

IELTS exam offers multiple test dates throughout the year, providing flexibility for test takers. In total, there are 48 fixed IELTS exam dates in a calendar year, with tests available up to four times each month. However, it's important to note that the availability of IELTS exam dates in India can vary between the Academic and General Training modules.

For the Academic module, all 48 IELTS exam dates are accessible. This means that individuals seeking to take the IELTS Academic test have several options throughout the year.

On the other hand, for the general IELTS exam dates, there are 24 available test dates. This means that while there is still a significant number of opportunities, it's important for those specifically requiring the General Training version to be mindful of the specific IELTS exam dates 2024 on which it is offered.

The IDP IELTS slot booking can be done through the official website of the IDP IELTS exam. For Indian students, IELTS registration can be done at the IDP IELTS India website. The IELTS exam registration for the computer-based test is available three times a day and seven days a week. 

Students can appear in the IELTS exam at any of the nearest IELTS test centres by filling out the IELTS exam application form. Students can check the available IDP IELTS exam date on the IELTS exam official website.

There are several ways to book IELTS exam slot:

• Register online and pay the IELTS exam fee.

• Register in person at any IELTS branch or input node.

• Complete IELTS registration by courier and pay the IELTS exam fee by demand draft or ICICI/HDFC deposit slip.

The IELTS exam pattern comprises 4 sections or parameters in which a candidate's proficiency in English is evaluated:

• Reading

• Writing

• Listening

• Speaking

The IELTS exam has two formats: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The Reading and Writing sections differ between the two formats, while the Listening and Speaking sections are the same.

The reading, writing, and listening sections are conducted on the same day and the IELTS speaking test is conducted in a separate slot which is in a 7-day window after or before the reading-writing-listening slot.

IELTS 2024 Exam Pattern 

The speaking module comprises 3 parts one-on-one conversations with an IELTS exam representative and this IELTS component is scored based on the candidate's oral performance in a life-like environment. Candidates are given the option to take the speaking test on any other day.

IELTS Test Format: Sections and Question Types

As aforementioned, the IELTS exam consists of four sections that test your proficiency in English: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The total IELTS duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Check details of each IELTS exam section:

IELTS Listening Section

• Duration: 30 minutes
• IELTS Listening Section Question Types: Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion

IELTS Reading Section

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Question Types of IELTS Reading Section: Multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions

IELTS Writing Section

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Task 1: You will be presented with a graph, table, chart, or diagram and asked to describe, summarize, or explain the information in your own words.
• Task 2: You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

IELTS Speaking Section

• Duration: 11-14 minutes
• IELTS Format: Introduction and interview, Cue Card/Candidate Task Card, and Discussion

IELTS Scoring: IELTS scores range from 0 to 9, with each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) assigned a band score. Your overall IELTS score is the average of these four scores, rounded to the nearest half or whole band.

For the IELTS exam 2024, practice and passing practice tests are essential components of exam preparation. The Careers360 IELTS sample paper makes it simple for candidates to get free IELTS practice tests for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams. IELTS reading practice test PDF, and IELTS writing task 2 sample answers are available on the official website.

All the IELTS exam practice tests contain the following four modules for preparation:

• IELTS Reading

• IELTS Writing

• IELTS Listening

• IELTS Speaking

Also read:

Preparing for the IELTS exam is a crucial step to achieving your desired score. The IELTS test comprises four main components: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. To score well in the IELTS exam 2024, here are some essential preparation tips for each section.

IELTS Exam Reading Preparation Tips

Below are some of the top IELTS reading tips for test takers. 

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your reading skills. Work on a variety of texts, including newspapers, academic articles, and books.
• Skim and Scan: Develop the ability to quickly skim through a passage to get the main idea and scan for specific details. This will save time during the actual IELTS exam.
• Expand Vocabulary: Improve your vocabulary by learning and understanding the meaning of unfamiliar words. Keep a vocabulary journal and use flashcards to reinforce your memory.
• Understand Question Types: Familiarise yourself with different IELTS exam question types, such as multiple-choice, true/false/not given, and matching headings. Practice these question types to become proficient.
• Time Management: During IELTS practice tests, practice managing your time effectively. Allocate a specific amount of time to each passage and stick to it.

IELTS Exam Listening Preparation Tips

Students must check the below-mentioned IELTS listening tips to prepare for this section effectively. 

Immerse Yourself: Listen to a variety of English content, including podcasts, news broadcasts, and movies. This will make you familiar with different accents and speeds of speech.

Take Notes: During the listening test, take notes to help you remember key details. Be concise in your note-taking to avoid missing information.

Practice Dictation: Transcribing spoken words or sentences from audio can improve your listening and writing skills simultaneously.

Mock Tests: Practice IELTS listening test under real conditions to simulate the real test environment. This will help you manage stress and time effectively.

Repeat Practice: Repeatedly listen to the same audio passages to improve your comprehension and pick up on details you might have missed initially.

IELTS Exam Writing Preparation Tips

Structure Matters: Understand the structure for both the IELTS Academic and General Training writing tasks. Practice writing essays, reports, and letters with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Expand Vocabulary: A strong vocabulary is essential for writing. Learn synonyms and varied sentence structures to make your writing more engaging.

Proofreading: Always review and edit your writing for grammatical errors and clarity. Simple mistakes can affect your score.

Time Management: Time is limited for writing tasks in the IELTS exam, so practice completing essays or reports within the given time frame. This helps improve your writing speed.

Feedback and Review: Get proper feedback on your writing from teachers, peers, or online communities. Regularly review and analyse your work to identify areas for improvement.

Also Read : Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Exam Speaking Preparation Tips

Practice Speaking Aloud: Practice speaking in English as much as possible. Talk to yourself or find a speaking partner to communicate regularly.

Recording: Record your spoken responses during practice sessions. Listening to your own recordings can help you identify pronunciation and fluency issues.

Structured Responses: When answering speaking questions, use a structured approach: introduce the topic, present key points, and summarise with a conclusion.

Expand Topics: Practice speaking on a wide range of topics to build confidence in discussing various subjects.

Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with a teacher or a language partner to simulate the speaking test environment and get feedback.

IELTS Preparation Books

Students preparing for the IELTS exam must refer to some of the best IELTS book and study material. Below is a list of IELTS preparation books by the British Council and Cambridge. 

• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

• Cambridge IELTS 9

• How to Prepare for IELTS

• Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 and 2

IDP releases the IELTS results in online mode at the official website, ieltsidpindia.com. For the computer-based test, IDP release IELTS exam results are generally declared within 3 to 5 days from the test date. The paper-based IDP IELTS results are released 13 days after the test. Candidates can also check their IELTS exam results from their test centers.

In order to check the IDP IELTS results in online mode, one needs to enter their name, passport or ID number and date of birth. It is important to note that, IELTS candidate will receive an email when their scores are available.

The IELTS results are provisional till the Test Report Form (TRF) is issued. The IDP test results of IELTS in India and other countries will be available online for only 28 days after its declaration.

How is IELTS Score Calculated?

Before understanding IELTS score, first, we need to understand how to calculate IELTS band score. The IELTS exam score is calculated on a 1-9 point scale which is a mean of the individual sectional scores. If the average of the sectional band score in IELTS ends in 0.25 then the overall score is rounded off to the next half band. In the situation that the average of the sectional scores ends in 0.75 then the overall IELTS results are rounded off to the next full band. The IELTS test report form or TRF is valid for two years. 

IELTS Exam Band Score

What is the IELTS Score validity?

The IELTS exam score validity is two years. In Australia, the IELTS exam score validity for Skilled Migration applications is three years. In Canada, USA, New Zealand, and UK the IELTS score validity is two years.

IELTS exam is graded on a scale of 1 to 9. The IELTS cut-off varies for different universities. Each college or university sets its own minimum IELTS band scores for admissions. 

IELTS Exam Cut off for Top Universities 

To help candidates prepare for the exam, various organizations offer free IELTS practice tests and question papers with answers. These IELTS question paper with answers resources are designed to familiarize test-takers with the format, content, and difficulty level of the actual IELTS exam. By taking free online IELTS practice tests, candidates can gain valuable experience in answering questions under timed conditions, which is crucial for success on test day.

After completing the IELTS practice tests free, candidates can review the answers and compare their performance to model answers provided by the test providers. Below you can find free IELTS Practice Tests that will help you in preparing for the exam.

IELTS Free Writing Practice Test Online 

One can practice from the IELTS writing practice test PDF which is available for free from below. 

IELTS Free Listening Practice Test Online 

Download IELTS listening practice test free from the table below,

IELTS Reading Practice sets

IELTS Speaking Practice sets