Exam Hub
IELTS
International English Language Testing System — Human speaking examiner · Broadest visa acceptance · Computer-based only in India from Sept 2026
Test Fee (India)
₹19,000
Duration
≈2 hr 45 min
Results In
1–2 days
Choose IELTS if…
You want a human speaking examiner and need broad visa acceptance — UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, USA and Europe.
What changed in 2025–26
- Mar 2026IELTS partners announce paper-based IELTS ends worldwide from mid-2026; Writing on Paper option in selected markets.
- 22 Mar 2026IELTS for UKVI reported as computer-delivered only worldwide.
- 1 Apr 2026India fee rises from ₹18,000 to ₹19,000 (Academic & General Training).
- 22 Aug 2026Last paper-based IELTS in India (after 25 Jul and 6 Aug sittings).
- Sep 2026India is computer-only: IELTS on Computer, or IELTS on Computer – Writing on Paper. Same content, difficulty and scoring as before.
Overview & Key Facts
Conducted By
British Council, IDP Education, Cambridge University Press & Assessment (IDP runs it in India)
Versions
Academic, General Training, IELTS for UKVI, Life Skills
Test Format (India)
Computer-based only from Sept 2026 — paper ended after 22 Aug 2026
Test Fee (India)
₹19,000 Academic / General Training (from 1 Apr 2026)
Score Range
Band 0–9 (half-band steps) for each skill + overall
Duration
≈2 hrs 45 min (L 30 + R 60 + W 60 + S 11–14 min)
Speaking
Face-to-face with a certified examiner — may be on a different day
Scoring
Human examiners for Writing & Speaking; marked answers for Listening & Reading
Results
Computer test: usually 1–2 days
Validity
2 years (most institutions)
Retake Option
One Skill Retake ≈₹12,000–12,650 (computer test only)
Acceptance
Very wide — UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, USA, Europe
Visas / Migration
UK (IELTS for UKVI), Australia, NZ, Canada (General Training for PR)
Exam Pattern & Structure
| Section / Module | Task Types / Content | Duration | Questions | Marks / Weight | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Conversations & monologues; same for Academic and General Training. MCQ, form/note/table completion, map/plan labelling, matching, sentence completion | 30 min (+2 min to check answers on computer) | 4 parts, 40 Qs | Raw score /40 → band | Listening |
| Reading — Academic | Texts from books, journals, newspapers. T/F/Not Given, matching headings, summary completion, MCQ, sentence endings | 60 min | 3 passages, 40 Qs | Raw score /40 → band | Reading |
| Reading — General Training | Everyday notices, workplace texts, one longer general-interest text. Same question styles as Academic | 60 min | 3 sections, 40 Qs | Needs more correct answers than Academic for the same band | Reading |
| Writing — Academic | Task 1: describe a graph/chart/process/map (150+ words). Task 2: essay (250+ words) | 60 min | 2 tasks | Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 | Writing |
| Writing — General Training | Task 1: letter — formal / semi-formal / informal (150+ words). Task 2: essay (250+ words) | 60 min | 2 tasks | Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 | Writing |
| Speaking | Part 1 intro & familiar topics · Part 2 cue card (1 min prep, 1–2 min talk) · Part 3 discussion. Face-to-face with a certified examiner | 11–14 min | 3 parts | Band score | Speaking |
Scoring System & Requirements
Score Range
Band 0–9
Scale / Increments
Half-band steps; overall = average of 4 skills rounded to the nearest 0.5
Skill Scores
Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking scored separately
| Purpose / University | Typical Requirement | Minimum Score | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK – undergraduate | IELTS for UKVI needed for some visa routes | 6.0–6.5 (no band <5.5) | PTE 59–64 |
| UK – postgraduate | Typical university range — check your course page | 6.5–7.0 | PTE 62–70 |
| USA – most universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 6.5–7.0 | PTE 58–65 |
| USA – top universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 7.0–7.5+ | PTE 65–73 |
| Canada – universities | For Canada PR (Express Entry) use IELTS General Training | 6.5 (no band <6.0) | PTE 60–65 |
| Australia – universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 6.5 (no band <6.0) | PTE 58–64 |
| New Zealand | Typical university range — check your course page | 6.0–6.5 | PTE 50–58 |
| Europe (Germany, Ireland, NL, etc.) | Typical university range — check your course page | 6.0–6.5 | PTE 55–65 |
Fees & Policies (India)
- Academic / General Training
- ₹19,000 (from 1 Apr 2026; was ₹18,000)
- IELTS for UKVI
- ≈₹18,250–19,250 (sources differ after the Apr 2026 revision)
- Life Skills
- ≈₹17,000
- One Skill Retake
- ≈₹12,000–12,650 — computer test only, within 60 days
- Reschedule / Cancel
- Fee charged; refunds are partial (admin fee retained)
- Enquiry on Results
- Fee per request, refunded if band changes — apply within 6 weeks
- Payment
- Card, net banking, UPI
- ID
- Valid passport (must match booking)
6-Week Preparation Plan
Week 1Baseline set
🔍 Diagnostic & Question Types
- All tests: Take one official free practice test; note weakest skill
- Learn all question types; time yourself
Week 2Foundations built
🎧 Vocabulary, Grammar & Listening
- All tests: Vocabulary & grammar daily (30–45 min)
- Listening: daily podcasts/BBC; practise spelling of answers
Week 3Writing sharpened
✍️ Writing Practice
- All tests: Writing practice with feedback
- Writing Task 1 & 2 – one each per day; learn band descriptors
- At Palash: writing evaluation within 24 hours
Week 4Speaking confident
🎙️ Speaking Practice
- All tests: Speaking practice (record yourself)
- Speaking Part 2 cue cards – 2 min talk daily
- At Palash: daily speaking practice with examiner feedback
Week 5Mock-test ready
🔄 Full Mock Tests
- All tests: Full mock tests under exam timing
- 2 full mocks; review mistakes by question type
- At Palash: full-length weekly mock tests
Week 6Exam ready!
✅ Final Review & Booking Checks
- All tests: Final review & booking checks
- Check ID (passport), test-centre route, rules
Top Preparation Tips
- ✍️ Writing: Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 — plan your hour accordingly
- 🎯 Learn the band descriptors — Writing: Task Achievement/Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammar
- 🎙️ Speaking: Fluency & Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammar and Pronunciation are weighted equally
- 🔤 Listening: practise spelling — answers must be spelled correctly
- 📖 General Training Reading needs more correct answers than Academic for the same band
- 🧮 Roughly 30/40 correct in Listening ≈ Band 7
- 🪪 Your passport must match the booking exactly; arrive early for ID check and biometrics
- 🗓️ Book 4–6 weeks before your deadline so there is room for a One Skill Retake
Study Resources
- 🌐 ielts.org — official test information & band descriptors
- 🌐 ielts.idp.com / ieltsidpindia.com — book & practise (official, India)
- 📝 Take one official free practice test in Week 1 of your plan
- 📚 Cambridge IELTS official practice books
- 🎧 BBC podcasts & news audio for daily listening
- ✍️ Palash writing evaluation — feedback within 24 hours
- 🎙️ Palash daily speaking practice with examiner-style feedback
- 🧪 Palash weekly full-length mock tests
Where & How You Take It
- 🏢 IELTS is taken at a test centre only — there is no home option
- 💻 India: computer-based only from Sept 2026 (paper ended after 22 Aug 2026)
- 🖥️ Option 1 — IELTS on Computer: L, R, W on computer; Speaking face-to-face
- ✏️ Option 2 — IELTS on Computer (Writing on Paper): L & R on computer, Writing handwritten (selected markets)
- 🎙️ Speaking is face-to-face with a certified examiner and may be on a different day
- 📍 Book only on official sites: ielts.idp.com / ieltsidpindia.com
- 🚫 No phones or watches in the room; only water in a clear bottle
- 🪪 Valid passport required (must match booking)
Results & Validity
- ⏱️ Computer test: results usually in 1–2 days
- 📋 Scores valid for 2 years at most institutions
- 🔁 One Skill Retake: retake one skill within 60 days of the original computer test
- 🔍 Enquiry on Results (re-mark): apply within 6 weeks; fee refunded if the band changes
- 📅 Reschedule / cancel: fee charged — request well before test date (typically 5+ weeks for full options)
- 💳 Payment by card, net banking or UPI
- IELTS for UKVI is computer-delivered only and required for many UK visa routes
ℹ️ Information checked 6 Oct 2026 from official and reputable sources. Fees and rules change often — always confirm on the official website before booking.
Palash Academy coaching
IELTS Coaching — Cambridge-certified IELTS preparation
- Academic & General Training modules
- Computer-based IELTS practice (India test is computer-only from Sept 2026)
- Daily speaking practice with examiner feedback
- Full-length weekly mock tests
- Writing evaluation within 24 hours
- Band score guarantee with retake support
