Guide to

the IELTS
General
Training
test

Your short guide

to achieving your
target score with
the IELTS General
Training test
Do you want to work and 

live in an English-speaking
country? What about securing
a promotion or landing a job 

at a multinational company? 

To realise these opportunities,
you’ll need to prove to visa
authorities and employers 

that you can speak English
with clarity and confidence.
The IELTS General Training 

test can help you do just that.
What is the
IELTS General
Training test?
The IELTS General Training test is an examination that serves as
an international benchmark for measuring English language
ability in social and professional contexts.

What is the purpose of the

IELTS General Training test?
People seeking to secure employment at a large corporation or
a visa for an English-speaking country need to first succeed on a
recognised English proficiency test. The IELTS General Training
test is one such test.

Who needs the IELTS General

Training test?
The IELTS General Training test is for anyone looking to prove
their English language ability in a social or professional context.
As such, most applicants are looking to work in, or emigrate to,
an English-speaking country. Some jobs in your own country
may require that candidates have accredited English proficiency
— the IELTS General Training test provides this accreditation.

Why choose Focus on all key skills

Beyond just an evaluation, the IELTS General Training test

IELTS over the prepares you for professional life by honing all crucial language
skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

alternatives? Universal applicability

IELTS is relevant everywhere English is spoken, as it accepts
both UK and US English. This makes it easier for test takers to
When it comes to English proficiency tests, IELTS is the gold use the English they know, preparing them for global
standard for those looking to prove their English ability. With conversations.
over 3.5 million test takers annually, IELTS is the most popular
English language assessment globally. Here's why millions
prefer the IELTS General Training test each year:
Flexibility and choice
Depending on your location, you can choose between IELTS on
Fair and holistic 
 paper or IELTS on computer, both of which take place in a test
centre.
language testing
IELTS offers a well-rounded examination, ensuring a fair and One Skill Retake
accurate evaluation of your language proficiency across various
When you take IELTS on computer with the British Council you
dimensions.
also have access to One Skill Retake. This means you can retake
a specific section of the test, rather than the entire test, saving
time and money if you only want to improve your score in a
single section. Check here to see if One Skill Retake is available
in your country.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 01

What’s in Listening section
— Duration: 30 minutes + 10 minutes for transferring 

answers (this additional time isn’t required for the 


the IELTS
computer-based testy
— Format: Four audio recordings of people speaking with 

a diverse range of accent†
— Types of questions: Multiple choice, matching, diagram

General
labelling, sentence completioƒ
— What you might hear: Everyday conversations,
monologues, educational discussions

Training
Reading section
— Duration: 60 minute†
— Format: Three passages ranging from factual information to

test?
discussion pieces and analysi†
— Types of questions: 40 question†
— What you might read: Texts are from sources like books,
journals, magazines, and newspapers

Writing section
The IELTS General Training test is 2 hours and 45 minutes long — Duration: 60 minute†
and consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and — Format: Two task†
Speaking. Here's a concise breakdown of what’s in each section: — Task specifics2
— Task 1: Write a letter requesting information or
explaining a situation (150-word minimumy
— Task 2: Write an essay in response to a point of view,
argument, or problem (250-word minimum)

Speaking section
— Duration: 10–14 minute†
— Format: Face-to-face interview
— Sections2
— Part 1: General questions about familiar topics (4–5 minsy
— Part 2: Speak about a specific topic on a card (up to 

2 minsy
— Part 3: Discuss abstract ideas related to the Part 2 topic
(4–5 minsy
— The Speaking assessment is recorded and, in some
locations, may be scheduled on a different day

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 02

 What do the IELTS
scores mean?
Band score Skill level Description

You have a full operational command of the language. Your use 


Band 9 Expert user of English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent. You show complete
understanding.

You have a fully operational command of the language with 


only occasional inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may
Band 8 Very good user misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle
complex detailed argumentation well.

You have an operational command of the language, though 


with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and
Band 7 Good user misunderstandings in some situations. Generally, you handle
complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.

Generally, you have an effective command of the language despite

some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings.
Band 6 Competent user You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly
in familiar situations.

You have a partial command of the language and cope with overall
Band 5 Modest user meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many
mistakes. You can handle basic communication in your own field.

Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You

Band 4 Limited user frequently show problems in understanding and expression. 

You are unable to use complex language.

Extremely
 You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar
Band 3 situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication.
limited user

You have great difficulty understanding spoken and 


Band 2 Intermittent user written English.

Band 1 Non-user You cannot use the language except for a few isolated words.

Did not attempt


Band 0 You did not answer the questions.
the test

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 03

Don’t M\ IELTS is more difficult than
other tests

believe
Neither IELTS or TOEFL is objectively harder than the
other, but IELTS has helped millions of people achieve
their dreams of studying and working abroad, showing 

its practical approach and achievable standards.

these
 Œ\ Your accent will affect 


your score

IELTS
This is not true. IELTS is an unbiased language proficiency
test, and examiners don't favour any accent. What truly
matters is that you communicate clearly and use precise
vocabulary.

myths
»\ There are different IELTS
tests for different countries
There's only one IELTS General Training test, and it's
standardised globally. Regardless of where you take it,
the test is the same, so there's no advantage or
disadvantage based on your location.
There are many
misconceptions about the õ\ Complex sentences
IELTS that can impact how guarantee better scores
you prepare for the test. Complexity isn't the key to IELTS success. Using complex
words is acceptable, but make sure your sentences are
Here’s the truth on the most clear and comprehensible. Simplicity often yields higher
scores.
common IELTS myths.
4\ More writing equals 

higher scores
In IELTS Writing, quality is better than quantity. Lengthy
essays won't necessarily boost your score but may
introduce more errors. To excel, stick to the word limit
and focus on clarity and coherence.

a\ There's a single 

'passing' score
Your target IELTS General Training score will vary
depending on your goals or the job you're applying to.
Each employer sets their own score requirements
according to the role, so there's no one-size-fits-all
passing score.

Ÿ\ IELTS is impossible 

to prepare for
Preparation is key to success. The British Council offers 

a wealth of resources, including practice tests, study
materials, and courses to help you prepare effectively
and succeed on the test.

Ï\ You can't retake IELTS

You can retake IELTS as many times as you wish.
However, you should use your previous test results 

as a learning tool to improve your performance.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 04

Preparing for the IELTS
General Training test
At the British Council, we offer a variety of resources to help you understand the test format, improve your English skills, and build your confidence.

IELTS Ready IELTS Coach

Our comprehensive IELTS test preparation offering, which Group classes and one-to-one sessions with an expert English
includes study resources, practice tests, and masterclasses. language teacher. Coaching is available 24/7 and can focus on
IELTS Ready comprises two options: IELTS Ready Member, with improving specific problem areas.
study resources and practice tools free of charge, when you
subscribe, and IELTS Ready Member, which provides a
personalised study plan and 40+ practice tests, complimentary
upon booking your test with the British Council. Book early to
EnglishScore tutors
make the most of these resources. Personalised online tutoring from certified teachers. These one-on-
one classes will help you prepare for your test whether it's a week, or
a few months away.
Practice tests
These practice tests will introduce you to the IELTS test format, and
help you become familiar with the types of tasks you will be asked to
IELTS face-to-face courses
undertake on test day. Courses designed to help prepare you for your IELTS test, covering all
four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Check your local
British Council website to see if these courses are available in your
IELTS tips & videos country.

Tips from past test takers aimed at improving your performance.

Practice materials can be found in each section.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 05

Why you
should choose
the British
Council for
your IELTS
General
Training test

With decades of experience and a global reputation for quality,

the British Council is the preferred choice for millions of IELTS
test-takers. Here's why you should choose the British Council for
your IELTS General Training test:

Global recognition
With 90 years of experience in English education and a presence
in 100+ countries, the British Council is a globally recognised
authority in English language teaching and assessment. Our
expertise ensures you’re in safe hands.

Unmatched preparation
support
We provide more free preparation than any other test provider
through our IELTS Ready Premium offering, which includes
interactive activities, expert masterclasses, and over 40 practice
tests. Make sure you book early to make the most of these
resources.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 06

Trusted and transparent Convenient dates and locations
IELTS is jointly run by the British Council and our services are trusted All official British Council IELTS test centres are modern, comfortable,
by over 12,000 organisations worldwide. and conveniently located. Test dates are scheduled throughout the
year, letting you pick the date that best suits your calendar.

Flexibility and choice

Depending on your location, you can choose between IELTS on paper
Stress-free experience
or IELTS on computer. From the moment you book your test to the day you get your results,
we ensure a seamless, supportive, and transparent experience.

Simple booking and testing

From booking your test to receiving your results, we have systems in
Professional and friendly staff
place to guide you every step of the way. Our classes are led by highly trained educational specialists. IELTS
tests are run by experienced staff who ensure your test day runs
smoothly.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 07

Steps for completing the IELTS General Training test

1 2
Book the test Confirm 

Choose how to take your IELTS General test times
Training test and book online. Take your test 

at an official test centre. Receive a confirmation 

of booking detailing the
test start time and venue
address. Your Speaking
test will be scheduled 

on the same day or within
a 7-day window of your
other test.

3 4
Prepare
 Take

for the test the test
Study with IELTS Ready, 
 Put your hard work to good use by taking 

IELTS Coach, and the many the test. To prove your identity, don’t forget 

free resources we provide. to bring the same ID you used to register 

for the IELTS General Training test.

5 6
Get your results Apply with
Your results will be available 13 days after your
IELTS on paper test or 3–5 days after your
your results
IELTS on computer test. You will receive an Use the TRF to apply to 

official Test Report Form (TRF). the higher education institute
of your choice.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 08

IELTS Fathima, Sri Lanka
The British Council provides preparation materials,

General
which is very useful if you're aiming for a high band
score. Taking the mock tests was of great value because
it gave me an idea of what to expect on test day.

Training Felipe, Philippines

I'm totally satisfied with my experience of taking IELTS

success
with the British Council. The test was conducted in a
convenient and professional manner. I'd definitely
recommend it to those planning to relocate to an
English-speaking country.

stories Chiranjivi, Nepal

I took IELTS on computer, which was a really awesome
experience! In the Reading test, I felt really relaxed since
I could view the passage and questions side by side. If
Use the TRF to apply to the higher education you ask me, typing on the keyboard is much better, as
institute of your choice. you can delete text easily, making your written work
look immaculate.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 09

IELTS Which IELTS test will I need 

to take to live and work in 


Frequently
an English-speaking country?
Virtually all English-speaking countries accept the IELTS 

General Training test. However, countries may have specific

asked

requirements for taking the IELTS. Familiarise yourself with

these requirements to ensure you’re following the right steps.

What is a good IELTS General

questions Training score?
Companies and visa authorities typically require scores ranging
from 4.0 (limited user) to 7.0 (good user), though higher scores
are often advantageous. Make sure to check the specific
requirements of the country or job you're interested in.

How long is my IELTS score

valid?
Your IELTS score is valid for two years from the date of the test.

When will I receive my IELTS

test results?
Your results will be available 13 days after your IELTS on paper
test or 3–5 days after your IELTS on computer test. You will
receive an official Test Report Form (TRF). Some test centres also
provide SMS alerts and an Online Results Service.

How do I send a copy of 


the Test Report Form to 

an immigration authority?
We can send up to five additional copies of your Test Report
Form directly to institutions you are applying to. If you would
like us to do this, please include the relevant addresses on the
test taker portal within two years of taking the test.

Where can I find IELTS

practice tests and other
preparation material?
You can find free practice tests and other preparation material
on our site.

Taking the Don't put off your dreams any longer.

next step
Book your IELTS General Training test
with the British Council now and take
an important step toward a future
filled with possibility.

British Council IELTS General Training Guide 10