IELTS 2026
International English Language Testing System
The International English Language Testing System, widely accepted in UK, Canada, and Australia.
- Registration fee
- ₹17,000
- Test duration
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- Score valid for
- 2 Years
- Held
- 48 times/year
Fee and schedule last checked against the official source in August 2026. Verify on the official site
IELTS exam pattern
Scored on Band 0-9, reported in half bands.
Listening
30 minutes, 40 questions, four recordings played once each.
Reading
60 minutes, 40 questions, three long academic passages.
Writing
60 minutes: a data/diagram description (150 words) and an essay (250 words).
Speaking
11-14 minutes, face to face with an examiner, recorded.
What score should you aim for?
6.5 - 7.5 Band
This is the band competitive programmes typically look for — not a cut-off, and not a guarantee of admission. Individual departments publish their own requirements, and those are the only figures that bind. Always check the programme page before setting a target.
Who accepts the IELTS?
UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and most of Europe. Also accepted by the majority of US universities, and required for UK and Australian visa applications.
Worth knowing before you book
The Academic version is the one universities ask for. IELTS for UKVI is a separate booking used for UK visa purposes — sitting the wrong one is the most common avoidable mistake.
How your score affects an education loan
Lenders assess an education loan mainly on the institution and programme you are admitted to, the co-applicant's income, and any collateral offered. A competitive test score matters because it determines which institutions admit you — and an admission letter from a well-regarded university is what strengthens the application.
Some lenders publish concessions tied to specific institution lists. Those terms vary by lender and change often, so we do not quote a rate here — compare the current offers directly.