What Is IELTS? The Test Explained for 2026
A plain-English guide to IELTS in 2026: Academic vs General Training, the four skills, timings, how bands work and what changed this year.
2 min read · Updated 2026-10-31
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English test for people who want to study, work or settle in a country where English is the main language. It is run jointly by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and is accepted by universities, employers and immigration authorities around the world.
Academic or General Training?
There are two versions. You choose based on what the organisation you are applying to asks for.
| IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | University study, professional registration | Work, training, migration |
| Listening | Same test | Same test |
| Reading | 3 long texts from books, journals and newspapers | Everyday, workplace and general-interest texts |
| Writing Task 1 | Describe a chart, table, diagram, map or process | Write a letter |
| Writing Task 2 | Essay | Essay |
| Speaking | Same test | Same test |
The four skills
| Skill | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 4 recordings, 40 questions, each recording heard once |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 texts or sections, 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 minutes | Task 1 (150+ words) and Task 2 (250+ words) |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes | A three-part interview with an examiner |
Listening, Reading and Writing are taken in one sitting with no breaks. Speaking is a separate, recorded, face-to-face interview.
How you are scored
Each skill gets a band from 0 to 9, in half bands (6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and so on). Your overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. Listening and Reading are marked from your number of correct answers out of 40. Writing and Speaking are marked by trained examiners against four published criteria each. See IELTS band scores explained for the conversion tables and the rounding rule.
The test in 2026
- Computer only. The paper-based test was withdrawn from mid-2026, so nearly everyone now sits IELTS on a computer. The content and scoring did not change. Read the end of the paper test and the computer-delivered test screen.
- One Skill Retake. If one skill lets you down, you can retake just that skill within 60 days. See One Skill Retake.
Where to start
- Read the hub for each skill: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.
- Learn the answer rules so you don't lose marks on spelling or word limits.
- Get used to the computer-delivered test screen.
- Read what happens on test day.
Sources
- IELTS, IELTS Academic test format
- IELTS, IELTS scoring in detail
- IELTS, Updates to IELTS test delivery (5 March 2026)
Questions people ask
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
Listening and Speaking are the same in both. Reading and Writing differ: Academic uses texts and tasks suited to university study, while General Training uses everyday and workplace texts and a letter for Writing Task 1.
How long does the IELTS test take?
About 2 hours 45 minutes in total. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken in one sitting, and the Speaking test is a separate face-to-face interview of 11 to 14 minutes.
Is there a pass mark in IELTS?
No. You receive a band from 0 to 9 for each skill and overall. Each university, employer or immigration body sets the band it needs.
Can I still take IELTS on paper?
From mid-2026 IELTS is delivered on computer only. Some markets offer a Writing on Paper option where you handwrite the Writing section.
Try it in a real-format test.
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