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International English Language Testing System (IELTS, pronounced /'ielts/) is a test of English language proficiency. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia. Candidates may choose either the Academic Module or the General Training Module:

• The Academic Module is intended for those who wish to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education.
• The General Training Module is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, by an increasing number of academic institutions in the USA, and by various professional organizations. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia and Canada.

Contents 1 IELTS characteristics 2 Band Scale 2.1 9 Expert User 2.2 8 Very Good User 2.3 7 Good User 2.4 6 Competent User 2.5 5 Modest User 2.6 4 Limited User 2.7 3 Extremely Limited User 2.8 2 Intermittent User 2.9 1 Non User 2.10 0 Did not attempt 3 Locations and test dates 4 IELTS level for admission to the academic world 5 See also 6 External links

The IELTS incorporates the following features:

• A variety of accents and writing styles are presented in text materials in order to minimise linguistic bias. The IELTS is considered more authoritative than TOEFL by some people and organizations^{[citation needed]} (especially the ones outside the United States).

• IELTS tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in English.

• Band scores are used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The Band Scale ranges from 1 ("Non User") to 9 ("Expert User").

IELTS is scored on a nine band scale. Each Band corresponds to different English competence. The Band Scores are in either whole or half Bands. The nine bands are described as such:

Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particulary in familiar situations.

Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field...

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in use of complex language.

Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

No assessable information provided. Candidate may have failed to sit for the test

There are around 300 test centres worldwide. The number of candidates has grown from about 100,000 in 1999 to about half a million in 2003. The top three locations in which candidates took the test in 2003 were Mainland China, India and the United Kingdom for the Academic Category, and India, Mainland China and Australia for the General Training Category.
There are up to 48 test dates available per year. Each test centre offers tests up to four times a month depending on local demand.

IELTS minimum levels required by institutions depend sometimes on particular college or school and country. As a rule, institutions from English spoken countries require a higher level of IELTS than those from non English spoken countries. According to IELTS official site [1] the higest IELTS level required by an University is 8.5, only two institutions are included here, both from the U.S.: the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University and the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University. In addition, the higher IELTS level required by institutions from the United Kingdom, where the IELTS had been originated, is 7.50.

Most IELTS requirement by Universities are between 7.00 and 6.00. For example, the Liverpool University required 7.50, the Cambridge University 7.00 and the Birmingham University 6.0 as the minimum levels. In Germany, the Stuttgart University requires a IELTS minimum rate of 6.00.

• TOEFL
• English as an additional language
• UBELT University of Bath English Language Test.
• University of Cambridge ESOL examination

• Official IELTS Web Site
• IELTS training Web Site
• ESL examinations at the Open Directory Project