IELTS measures listening, reading, writing and speaking on a band scale from 0 to 9. Most students heading abroad take IELTS Academic; General Training is mainly used for work and migration, and a separate version, IELTS for UKVI, is needed for some UK visa routes.
You can take the test on paper or on computer at a test centre. Speaking is always a live conversation with a trained examiner, either in person or by video call, which many candidates find more natural than speaking to a microphone.
Universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the US accept IELTS, and it is also used for many visa and immigration purposes. Moksh does not run IELTS; we help you plan and prepare, and you book directly with the British Council or IDP.
Test format
- 1
Listening · About 30 minutes
Four recordings, from everyday conversations to an academic lecture, with 40 questions. Paper candidates get extra time to transfer answers; computer candidates get a short review period.
- 2
Reading · 60 minutes
Three long passages from books, journals and newspapers with 40 questions, including matching, sentence completion and true, false or not given.
- 3
Writing · 60 minutes
Task 1: describe a chart, table, process or map in at least 150 words. Task 2: an argument essay of at least 250 words, which carries more weight.
- 4
Speaking · 11–14 minutes
A three-part interview with an examiner: questions about yourself, a two-minute talk on a topic card, then a discussion of more abstract ideas. Often held on a different day from the other sections.
Scoring
Each skill gets a band from 0 to 9 in half-band steps, and the overall band is the average rounded to the nearest half band. Most undergraduate courses ask for 6.0–6.5 overall and postgraduate courses 6.5–7.0, usually with a minimum in every skill.
Fee, results and validity
- Fee in India: About ₹19,000 for IELTS Academic or General Training (raised from ₹18,000 in April 2026); IELTS for UKVI costs slightly more. One Skill Retake, where offered, is charged separately (recently around ₹12,000–12,650). (indicative, check the official site)
- Results: Usually 1–2 days after a computer-delivered test and about 13 days after a paper-based test
- Score validity: Results are generally accepted for two years from the test date, though each institution and visa authority sets its own rule
- Run by: Jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Where it is accepted
- UK universities, and IELTS for UKVI for visa routes that require a Secure English Language Test
- Australian universities and the Department of Home Affairs for student visas
- Canadian colleges and universities
- US universities
- Irish universities
- New Zealand universities and Immigration New Zealand
Preparation tips from our counsellors
- Check the exact overall and per-skill band your course needs before you book, so you know your target
- Take a timed practice test early to find your weakest skill instead of revising everything equally
- In Reading, practise skimming for the main idea and scanning for keywords; do not read every line slowly
- For Writing Task 2, plan for five minutes, answer every part of the question and keep one clear idea per paragraph
- Record yourself answering Speaking cue cards for two minutes and listen back for fillers and long pauses
- Practise with British, Australian and North American accents in Listening
- If you choose the computer test, get used to typing essays under time pressure and watching the on-screen word count
- If you narrowly miss one band, ask whether One Skill Retake is available at your centre rather than resitting everything
Frequently asked questions
Should I take IELTS on paper or on computer?
The content, timing and scoring are the same. The computer version gives faster results and more test dates, and is required if you might want a One Skill Retake. Choose paper only if you write much faster by hand than you type.
What is IELTS One Skill Retake?
If you took the computer-delivered test and are unhappy with one skill, you can retake just that skill within about 60 days of the original test, where your centre offers it. Not every university or visa authority accepts retake results, so confirm with them first.
Is IELTS General Training accepted for university admission?
Usually not. Universities almost always ask for IELTS Academic. General Training is mostly for work, school-level study and migration.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI to study in the UK?
If you are going to a UK university at degree level, the university normally assesses your English and a standard IELTS Academic result is often enough. IELTS for UKVI is needed for some routes, such as courses below degree level or certain pre-sessional programmes. Check your offer letter.
Does Moksh book or conduct IELTS?
No. Moksh has no role in running or scoring IELTS. You register directly with the British Council or IDP. We can help you set a target score, plan your preparation and fit the test date into your application timeline.
How many times can I take IELTS?
There is no limit. Most institutions look only at the result you send them, so it is better to prepare properly than to book repeatedly.