IELTS stands for English Language Proficiency test, mandatory for non-native students to get admissions abroad where the form of study is in English, especially UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia. This even helps in getting the Australian student visa which is strictly prohibited for students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal etc. if they don't appear for the tests. TOEFL scores cannot act as substitute.

Executed each year by the British Council which even offer short courses for its preparations. These tests are held once a month. IELTS handbooks & application forms can be easily availed from the nearest testing centers. The filled forms are submitted in the respective centers which provide the students with the date and time. The results are available within two weeks of taking the test.

IELTS Scoring Pattern
IELTS test is divided into four major sections taking 2 hours & 45 minutes for its completion. These are :

• Listening section (30 minutes)
• Academic reading/general training reading section (60 minutes)
• Academic writing/general training writing section (60 minutes)
• Speaking section (11-14 minutes)

Valid for two years, IELTS tests have a Band Score system which is received by the student. There are four separate Band Scores, one for each section which are added together & later averaged to get an Overall Band Score. They actually consist a gist of the English performed at that level. Altogether, there are nine Band levels, from one (non-user) to nine (expert user) which judge the performance of the student in English. Minimum score for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5. Though, commonly a score of 6 to 6.5 is what actually required.

One can repeat for IELTS if unsatisfied with the scores but he is eligible for reattempt only after a gap of three months.

Click here for a list of important IELTS Test Centers in India