A task well begun is half done!
IELTS is not like your school or university exams. It is an international standardized test of level of English language skill. You need to have a deep understanding of various aspects of IELTS exam before you go for IELTS exam registration. Your IELTS exam info should be up to date. REMEMBER, your IELTS Preparation doesn’t start after IELTS test registration but RIGHT HERE before you go for IELTS registration. You will understand why I say this by the end of this post.

Let’s get started!

#1. What is IELTS full form?

The full form of IELTS is International English Language Testing System.

#2. What is IELTS full form in Hindi?

IELTS full form in Hindi is इंटरनैशल इंग्लिश लैंग्वेज टेस्टिंग सिस्टम.

#3. What is IELTS?

IELTS, International English Language Testing System is an English Language Skills Test of international standard. The world over, IELTS is like a passport for pursuing studies and migrating to English speaking countries for better life prospects. IELTS has been one of the most popular tests for more than 30 years. Every year there are more than 3.5 million test takers. Available across more than 1,100 test centers globally, IELTS has strictly maintained standards and is accepted in more than 78 countries and accepted by more than 11,000 government bodies, institutions, colleges and companies. Nowadays in India, IDP, Australia has taken over and is the sole test conducting organization. Whereas, British Council, UK is concerned with only IELTS Preparation. Cambridge University Press, UK is the test design authority.

#4. Eligibility Criteria for IELTS

There are no eligibility criteria for IELTS. You just need to have a passport. It’s that simple!

Some people think that to qualify for IELTS a certain percentage of the 12th class is required. 
“IELTS Karne ke liye kitne percentage chahiye”, they ask.
Please Note: There is NO 12th percentage required for IELTS.

Who is eligible for IELTS Exam and what is the age limit for IELTS?

Many people think that IELTS can be given only after they pass out of college. This is not true!

IELTS is available to people across the world, irrespective of gender, age, religion or nationality. It is not recommended to individuals below 16 years of age. Minimum age limit is 16 years, regardless of nationality or background.

#5. What is the IELTS band?

IELTS band is a measure of the proficiency level in a language skill. The IELTS band awarded to you will be according to your proficiency level in the individual language skill. IELTS tests you separately for 4 language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The minimum band score is 0(zero) and the maximum band score is 9.
Each band defines the category of the user’s language level. IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale. The bands are simple and easy to understand. All formats of IELTS (academic, general, Cambridge, UKV1 etc) use the same scoring system.

IELTS band scores: Infographic

#6. IELTS: Lowest & Highest Band Scores

What is IELTS’s Lowest Score?
IELTS Lowest score is zero and it is awarded to test takers who did not attempt the test.

What is IELTS highest score?
IELTS highest score is 9. A 9-band score is awarded to expert users of English. These users have a level of English skill of native speakers.

#7. What is a good IELTS score?

The IELTS band score requirement is different for different fields, companies, designations, jobs, countries, provinces and qualifications. Generally speaking –

• Most undergraduate program require 6 overall. No band should be less than 6.28
• For graduate degrees some courses are going to require a 7 band. Check the college brochure.
• Most postgraduate programs require 6.5 IELTS overall minimum, no band less than 6.
• For going to work abroad candidate: the companies set the Target IELTS band score.
• For going to study abroad candidate: the IELTS score required is according to the college, the level of education or the course type.
• An IELTS score of 6 is required for undergraduate programs and courses that do not require higher academic skills.
• Regarding general score required for work purposes – for starting positions and not so higher end designations and work profiles like chef or driver or clerical assistants.

You can find the IELTS band scores required on your own on the official link.

Please Visit the Official link on IELTS IDP India website if you want to know –

• Which Universities accept IELTS (1st column) and how much IELTS score do they require?
• Which Companies accept IELTS (1st column) and how much IELTS score do they require?
• IELTS band score required for different countries? (4th column)
• IELTS Minimum score for universities & colleges (4th column)

https://IELTS.idp.com/about/who-accepts-IELTS/organisations-that-accept-IELTS

This is a good link for elementary research on IELTS scores required. The minimum band score requirement in over 11,000 organisation in over 70 countries is there on this link. 
Please Note: For some orgs. It’s written “IELTS accepted. Contact Organisation for score requirement”.

I recommend that after this search you confirm the exact IELTS band score on the college website or with your immigration consultant.

One More Link for who accepts IELTS:
https://www.ielts.org/about-ielts/who-accepts-ielts-scores

#8. For how much time IELTS is valid?

IN general, the IELTS score validity is 2 years. But organisations or institutions may have varying conditions accepting IELTS. Please check with the organisation where you are applying.

Please Note: Even the IELTS Examiners are certified only for 2 years. After 2 years the Examiners have to again get certified for their IELTS Training competence. They are required to demonstrate their current skill level.

So IELTS in all its fairness keeps an IELTS validity time.

#10. What is the IELTS exam fee?

The cost for IELTS Exam in India, both computer- delivered and pen-n-paper is the SAME.
You can pay IELTS exam fees online or visit an offline IELTS test centre as convenient.

The above fee amounts are inclusive of all taxes.

#11. What is the Payment mode for the IELTS fee in India?

This is how you can pay IELTS fees online – # Credit/ Debit (Visa or Master) and Netbanking. 
# Demand Draft – Ensure that it is drawn in favor of “IDP EDUCATION INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, Payable at New Delhi”. Get it made only from the list of approved banks.
# Bank Deposit – Cash can be deposited with both ICICI & HDFC banks by way of a customised deposit slip. Download the deposit slip here –
https://www.IELTSidpindia.com/pdf/ICICI_Deposit_slip.pdf

#12. What documents are required for IELTS exam registration?

You must know correctly what documents are required at the time of IELTS registration so that you don’t get any application rejection.
5 POINTS TO REMEMBER about documents required for IELTS exam registration (online & offline)
#1 The only document required for IELTS exam registration is your passport.
#2 Driving Licence or electricity bills or Voter-id card or Aadhar Card or PAN Card are not valid.
#3 When you fill-up the form ensure that you fill in information same as that in your passport. You will need to carry this on your test day.
#4 If you’re filling your form online you will need to upload the scanned copy of the first and last page of your passport. Remember the size of scanned file should not be more than 1MB and the file format should be pdf/jpg/jpeg/png.
#5 If it’s a Deposit slip/ICICI or HDFC demand draft, you will have to courier it to IDP Office.

#13. What document should I carry for the IELTS exam IDP?

You will need to provide a copy of your valid identity document, the same identity document you furnished for IELTS registration.

#14. Which IELTS should I take?

To make the right test choice, you need to know the exact purpose for which the language proficiency level tests are conducted.

3 TYPES OF IELTS EXAM are – Academic, General Training & Life Skills 
IELTS Academic is the right choice for higher studies, specialised courses or higher paying jobs in English-speaking environment or institutions. This IELTS test type is designed for testing English–language skill for academic settings.

IELTS General is for the general immigrant. For below degree level, diploma, short courses, not so high paying jobs, employment trainings. The IELTS General is designed for testing English skill in everyday social and workplace settings.

IELTS Life Skills is for UK visas for ‘family members of a settled person’. It’s a low level English skill requirement. It’s only a Listening Speaking test. It is not for people migrating for studies or work.

What-IELTS-test-do-I-need-to-take Infographic

#15. Should you take IELTS on paper or on a computer?

Now, how do you decide what’s best for you?
It’s entirely your choice whether to take IELTS on computer or on paper.  Both options are available for both the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic. The test format, question types, time allocated to each test part and content is absolutely ditto for both IELTS on computer and IELTS on paper test. The difference is only on the test day, when you are giving the test.
You must choose your option wisely because although CD IELTS offers the comfort of appearing for test from home but it still depends on how computer savvy are you? How comfortable are you on computers? Also the traditional paper based IELTS has its own advantages.

#16. Allotment of test dates by IDP

If you’re wondering about how will test dates be allotted to me, then you need to fill right the ‘Preferred Date of Test’ column on the IELTS registration form.
Out of the two date choices you write in the IELTS registration form, one date will be allotted. Allotment of test dates is on a first-come-first-serve basis. In case both test dates chosen by you are not available, you will be notified about the next date available. If you accept this available date, it is allotted to you. But if you can’t for some reason, then your application is returned to you.
There may be reasons when even after date allotment, the test date is cancelled due to operational or logistic issues of the test centre. 

#17. Transfer of Test dates

Regarding, can you change your test dates; yes you can. It is possible.to change your test dates, either prepone or postpone the ielts test date, You have to select a date that is within 3 months of your originally allotted test date. In case it is more than 3 months of a time difference, then date is not allotted and your application is treated as cancelled.

18. What is the IELTS rescheduling fees?

IELTS Rescheduling Fees is Rs 3,300 inclusive of all taxes (taken as administrative charge)

What if you fall sick on test day? Well, you can cancel the test anytime by informing your test centre. The refund though, depends upon the time of cancellation and whether the test center deems it as a case where exceptional circumstances apply.

Exceptional Circumstances as defined by IDP
Serious medical conditions which prevent you from attending or performing normally on test day; such conditions require supporting evidence of a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner/ Evidence of bereavement, trauma or other forms of significant hardship./ Military service.

The supporting evidence (medical certificates/ doctor’s recommendations etc) you have to produce within 5 days before or 5 days after the test date. The test centre takes 7 days to reply back to you. You get REFUND only if test centre authorities approve.

Cancellation Charges: 25% of ielts fees (as administrative services charge) is deducted and rest reimbursed

#19. FAQs

Is there anything like easiest ielts test centre in india| Is it better to give ielts in smaller cities

What’s the best place to give ielts exam in india| Which centre is best for ielts exam
There is nothing like an easy or difficult IELTS exam centre. This is a myth. Totally untrue! The IELTS exam strictly maintains uniform standards everywhere in India & everywhere in the world. Whichever centre you go to, the examiners are thorough professionals and the exam paper is of the same difficulty level.
The rumour of an easy centres in smaller cities is floated around to fool innocent test-takers. The IELTS authorities give same consideration to all test-centres and on all dates. There is no easy venue or easy test date, whatsoever. Don’t listen to such baseless ideas.

 Can we write IELTS with an Aadhar card?

There are no eligibility criteria that you need to meet to take this test. All that you need to have is your Passport. No other identity cards like Voter ID, Aadhaar or PAN card are accepted as ID proof to take this test.

Are my 10th or 12th marks important for IELTS?

There’s no minimum marks or percentage criteria for giving the IELTS exam. Your 10th or 12th marks (English subject or Overall CGP) doesn’t matter for IELTS. It’s not seen or considered.

What is First Language in IELTS registration Form | Ielts exam form fill

The first language is your “Mother Tongue“. Select the proper first language code given for your Mother Tongue in the form. If your language is not in the given list, then write 000 in the box given for code and write your language name in the small box given below the code box.

Register online and pay the test fee with a credit card

Log on to www.ieltsidpindia.com. → Select “Register for IELTS” → Choose your test date and test city  → you will see the seat availability status → Fill the online application form → Pay the test fee using a valid credit card (Master / Visa)

How can I fill IELTS offline? IELTS Offline Registration 2023

isit the British Council or IDP office near you for offline IELTS registration. You will have to download the form, take a printout, fill the form and submit at the Registration desk with the fees. 

Which IELTS should I register for?

If you are going abroad to study in higher education or for a professional course, IELTS Academic could be the right choice. In case you want to study at secondary education level, or work in an English-speaking country, IELTS General Training test might be the right choice. Whatever your case, Follow the Official Search IDP IELTS Link given in Point 4 above. And chat on the college website or call them up.

Ielts exam fee in India
What is the fee for IELTS exam in India?

IELTS registration fee in India for both on-paper & on-computer, both Academic and General is ₹15,500, but it is subject to change. You must confirm the amount before scheduling a test and  prefer to make the payment online by credit cards or Paytm (check digital payment options available).

How to postpone ielts exam date idp?

is it possible to postpone IELTS exam date | How much does it cost to postpone ielts
Is it possible to postpone IELTS exam date?

You can change your test date any day before the test. But, depending on the time difference between the original test date allotted to you and the day you make your date-change request – your request may be treated as a cancellation. Your new test date you must select within three months from your original test date.

The cut-off period for making requests is less than five (5) weeks before the original test adte allotted. Requests after expiry of this cut-off period are not accepted and then the test date is considered cancelled. You have to make a new registration with  ₹15,500.

Around ₹3,000 are charged with transfer date form. For downloading form [click here]
https://www.ieltsidpindia.com/pdf/Transfer_Cancellation_Application_Form.pdf

# LINKS
1) IELTS online test booking https://www.ieltsidpindia.com/registration/registration
https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/book-a-test
These two links are for ielts apply online
2) Related article https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/education/study-abroad/others/IELTS-2018-exam-know-all-details-like-eligibility-scoring-syllabus-and-pattern/articleshow/66510270.cms

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Founder- IIWI Learning IELTS 8+ Coach, 30 yrs exp.|Author|Blogger