IELTS Exam 2024-25: Registration, Format, Test Dates, Fees

If you are preparing for competitive exams or aspire to study abroad, then the IELTS exam is the best option for you. IELTS is a popular exam that tests the language proficiency of non-native English speakers who wish to work, study, or relocate to a country where English is the primary language. 

There are two main test formats of IELTS - computer-based and paper-based and the band scores of 1 to 9 are awarded based on the candidate’s ability to listen, read, write, and speak English. The IELTS test scores are acceptable in 140 countries, and in India is currently conducted solely by IDP. 

In this article, let us dive deeper into the fundamentals and intricacies of the exam so that you can fulfill your dream to study abroad.

IELTS Exam 2024 Highlights

Full form	International English Language Testing System
Test types	Academic (for higher education), General Training (for work or migration)
Test sections	Reading, writing, listening, and speaking
Conducting bodies	IDP: IELTS Australia, British Council, and Cambridge Assessment English
Test duration	2 hours 44 minutes (10 minutes of transfer time)
Score scale	Band 1 to 9
Test results	13 days after the test

What is Full Form of IELTS Exam  

IELTS full form is the International English Language Testing System. It is a standardized exam that is designed to test the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. IELTS is widely accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities around the world.

Why IELTS Exam is Required

The IELTS exam is necessary for plenty of reasons, including: 

Study Abroad: 

• International students who want to study abroad need to acquire a good IELTS score. Many universities and colleges worldwide require IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency for international students. 

Immigration: 

• Some countries demand IELTS results for immigration and visa applications, such as New Zealand, UK, Australia, etc. 

Employment: 

• Certain jobs, especially in international organizations or companies, may necessitate IELTS scores.

Professional Registration: 

There are many professional bodies that need IELTS for registration, like pharmacy, medicine, law, accounting, etc.  

IDP IELTS has over 1,400 test locations across 56 countries, including over 260 computer-delivered IELTS centers.

IELTS Eligibility 2024

The IDP, which administers IELTS, has not established any IELTS eligibility requirements. The exam is open to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, or religion. Moreover, there is no age limit either. Candidates who are under the age of 16 are not encouraged to apply. However, they can take the test if they wish to.

The IELTS IDP exam is open to anyone who wishes to pursue higher education or employment in a foreign country (both Academic and General Training). Candidates should, however, carefully check the educational institution's or organization's eligibility requirements before applying.

IELTS Registration 2024

IELTS exam registration can be done in the following ways:

1. Online registration:

This is one of the most convenient methods of scheduling your IELTS exam. You can pay the IELTS test fee online. After successful registration, you will also receive an instant confirmation. 

Follow the steps below to book your IELTS exam slot: 

• Visit www.ieltsidpindia.com
• Choose "Register for IELTS"
• Choose the test day and location (students will see the seat availability status)
• Fill out the online application
• Pay for the exam with a credit card (Mastercard or Visa)
• Get an instant seat reservation and confirmation

2. In-person registration:

To complete your IELTS registration in person, head over to any of the IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd. offices.  Here, you can fill out a physical application or complete your form online. You have the option to pay the fee by a demand draft or a credit/debit card. The candidates can also deposit cash in HDFC/ICICI banks by downloading the

customized deposit slip from the website of IELTS IDP India or obtaining the slip from the IELTS IDP office. For successful registration, the original copy of the deposit slip must be attached to the IELTS application form. After successful payment, a confirmation will be sent to you. 

3. Courier: 

You can complete the IELTS application form and send it along with the demand draft for the test fee via courier to the following address: 

IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd.

Global Gateway Towers, Tower-B, 5th Floor,

Sikanderpur Ghosi,Sector-26,

M.G. Road, Gurugram,

Haryana - 122002, India.

Tel: +91-124-4445999

Here, your application will be processed and your placement will be done depending on the seat availability. It is to be noted that the above-mentioned address and contact details are true as of November 2023. Candidates are advised to check the same before proceeding.

IELTS Exam Fees 2024

The IELTS fee for registration in India is ₹17,000, but it is subject to changes. Therefore, applicants must confirm the amount when scheduling a test slot and then pay with a digital payment method. 

The table below shows the fees of different IELTS test types in India.

IELTS Test type	Fees(INR)
Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI	17,250
Computer-delivered IELTS	17,000
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)	16,050
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration	17,250
Pen and paper-based IELTS	17,000

Note: The fees provided here is subject to change

IELTS Exam Dates 2024 

The IELTS exam is offered regularly throughout the year. Below are the confirmed IELTS Test Dates for 2024: 

IELTS Exam Dates in July	Academic and General Training: 6 July 2024 and 27 July 2024  Academic only: 11 July 2024 and 20 July 2024
IELTS Exam Dates in August	Academic and General Training: 8 August 2024 and 24 August 2024  Academic only: 3 August 2024 and 17 August 2024
IELTS Exam Dates in September	Academic and General Training: 14 September 2024 and 28 September 2024  Academic only: 7 September 2024 and 19 September 2024
IELTS Exam Dates in October	Academic and General Training: 5 October 2024 and 26 October 2024  Academic only: 10 October 2024 and 19 October 2024
IELTS Exam Dates in November	Academic and General Training: 16 November 2024 and 30 November 2024  Academic only: 2 November 2024, 7 November 2024, and 23 November 2024
IELTS Exam Dates in December	Academic and General Training: 7 December 2024 and 14 December 2024  Academic only: 5 December 2024 and 21 December 2024

IELTS Dates & Centers in India 

In India, there are plenty of test centers located in 75+ different cities. These include: 

IELTS Exam Dates Pune	IELTS Exam Dates Jaipur	IELTS Exam Dates Nagpur	IELTS Exam Dates Ranchi
IELTS Exam Dates Bhopal	IELTS Exam Dates Surat	IELTS Exam Dates Patna	IELTS Exam Dates Vijayawada
IELTS Exam Dates Raikot	IELTS Exam Dates Indore	IELTS Exam Dates Dehradun	IELTS Exam Dates Patiala
IELTS Exam Dates Kolkata	IELTS Exam Dates Noida	IELTS Exam Dates Coimbatore	IELTS Exam Dates Goa
IELTS Exam Dates Lucknow	IELTS Exam Dates Gurgaon	IELTS Exam Dates Karnal	IELTS Exam Dates Nasik

IELTS Test Dates New Delhi	IELTS Test Dates Ludhiana	IELTS Test Dates Chandigarh	IELTS Test Dates Bangalore
IELTS Test Dates Vadodara	IELTS Test Dates Ahmedabad	IELTS Test Dates Jalandhar	IELTS Test Dates Amritsar
IELTS Test Dates Mumbai	IELTS Test Dates Chennai	IELTS Test Dates Kochi	IELTS Test Dates Hyderabad
IELTS Exam Dates Ambala	IELTS Exam Dates Vizag	IELTS Exam Dates Panipat	IELTS Exam Dates Rohtak
IELTS Exam Dates Ghaziabad	IELT Exam Dates Agra	IELTS Exam Dates Kanpur	IELTS Exam Dates Meerut

Other IELTS Exam Centres

IELTS Exam Dates Calicut	IELTS Exam Dates Gurdaspur	IELTS Exam Dates Kannur	IELTS Exam Dates Navsari
IELTS Exam Dates Navi Mumbai	IELTS Exam Dates Kapurthala	IELTS Exam Dates Nawanshahr	IELTS Exam Dates Chengannur
IELTS Exam Dates Guwahati	IELTS Exam Dates Madurai	IELTS Exam Dates Rudrapur	IELTS Exam Dates Anand
IELTS Exam Dates Hoshiarpur	IELTS Exam Dates Khanna	IELTS Exam Dates Mangalore	IELTS Exam Dates Sangrur
IELTS Exam Dates Angamaly	IELTS Exam Dates Mehsana	IELTS Exam Dates Siliguri	IELTS Exam Dates Moga

IELTS Exam Dates Sri Ganganagar	IELTS Exam Dates Vapi	IELTS Exam Dates Barnala	IELTS Exam Dates Faridkot
IELTS Exam Dates Jagraon	IELTS Exam Dates Kollam	IELTS Exam Dates Sri Muktsar Sahib	IELTS Exam Dates Bathinda
IELTS Exam Dates Firozpur	IELTS Exam Dates Kothamangalam	IELTS Exam Dates Nadiad	IELTS Exam Dates Raipur
IELTS Exam Dates Gandhinagar	IELTS Exam Dates Rajkot	IELTS Exam Dates Kottayam	IELTS Exam Dates Thane
IELTS Exam Dates Bhubaneswar	IELTS Exam Dates Jammu	IELTS Exam Dates Kurukshetra	IELTS Exam Dates Thimphu
IELTS Exam Dates Trivandrum	IELTS Exam Dates Thrissur	IELTS Exam Dates Tirupati	IELTS Exam Dates Tiruchirappalli
IELTS Exam Dates Visakhapatnam

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Is Computer Based IELTS Easier	How to Prepare for Computer Based IELTS	IELTS Slot Booking
How to Check IELTS Revaluation Results	How to Get IELTS Certificate	How to Download IELTS Score Card

IELTS Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2024

Section	Number of Questions and Duration	Content	Remarks
Listening	Four recordings 40 questions 30 minutes + 10 minutes (transfer time)	Four recorded monologues and conversations.	A correct answer is awarded one mark, and the final score is provided as a band score in the range of 1-9.
Reading	40 questions 60 minutes	Three passages which can be analytical, factual, discursive, or descriptive.	Each correct answer is awarded one mark, and the final score is provided as a band score in the range of 1-9.
Writing	60 minutes	Task1: Summarize or describe a table, graph, chart, or diagram in at least 150 words. Task2: Short essay task of at least 250 words.	The contribution of Task 2 is twice that of Task 1 in the final writing score.
Speaking	11 to 14 minutes	Face-to-face interview with three parts which are recorded. The first part involves answering short questions. The second part involves speaking at length about a general topic, followed by a structured discussion in the third part.	Each part of the test assesses speaking skills in different ways, like interaction pattern, task input, and test taker output.

IELTS Reading Section

• The reading module comprises three parts and has 40 questions in total. 
• Candidates' reading abilities are examined by various types of questions such as short answer questions,  fact identification, sentence or summary completion, identifying writer's attitudes/views, and matching lists or phrases.
• Students will have 60 minutes to complete the portion, including transfer time.

Read More: How to Prepare for IELTS Reading Section

IELTS Writing Section

• In this section of the IELTS exam, there are only two questions. Candidates will be given a diagram, data, or a table in the first question, and they must then represent the information in their own words. This question has a word limit of 150 words.
• Candidates are given an argument or point of view problem to discuss in the second question. The goal is to evaluate the candidate’s writing skills based on their opinion, justifications, ideas, and evidence. Candidates will have 60 minutes to complete the writing test. 

Ace your IELTS Writing Score with our comprehensive list of expert-approved IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics.

Read More: IELTS Writing Task 1 , IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Listening Section

This element of the IELTS exam is divided into four sections, each of which includes audio clips. The first two will be about social, everyday situations, whereas the next two will be based on educational and training situations.  

The audio clips might be a dialogue or a speech that will last approximately three minutes and are only played once. Short answers, note completion, MCQ, and a variety of other sorts of questions will be asked based on these clips. 

This section's syllabus includes

• Audio 1- Dialogue based on social situations

• Audio 2- A monologue addressing social issues that people face daily

• Audio 3- A conversation between four people about education

• Audio 4- A monologue about a topic related to academia

IELTS Speaking Section:

Part 1 (Introduction followed by an Interview) - 

The examiner gives his/her introduction and begins the assessment by asking basic questions about family, hobbies, interests, educational history, and so on to the candidate. This part lasts for 4-5 minutes. 

Part 2 (Long Turn) - 

Candidates will be given a flashcard with a topic printed on it for this stage of the IELTS speaking exam. They can think for a minute, acquaint themselves with the issue, and then speak about it for at least 2- minutes.

Part 3 (Discussion) - 

There will be further discussion on the topic presented in Part 2. Candidates will have the opportunity to go deeper into the subject and cover it in greater detail. This task usually takes 4-5 minutes to complete. The candidate's ability to express their opinions and discuss various issues is analyzed during this task. 

Read More: IELTS Speaking Section , IELTS Common Speaking Topics

How to Check Your IELTS Result

You can follow the below steps to check your IELTS exam result: 

1. Visit the IELTS IDP website: Go to https://ielts.idp.com/results/check-your-result.
2. Enter personal details: Add your given name, passport or ID number, family name (or hyphen if none), and date of birth as they appear on your test application.
3. Complete the captcha: Fill in the required captcha code.
4. Submit: Click on the "Get Results" button. 

Note: Keep your TRF (Test Report Form) number safe. It is a confidential document.

IELTS Cut Off 

The IELTS cut-off scores are different depending on the country, university, and the course you are applying for. IELTS band 6 is a competent score, and above 6 is a good score. 

IELTS Preparation Tips

• Candidates should focus equally on vocabulary, tenses, grammar, and sentence structure.
• Candidates should write precise, relevant answers and avoid long paragraphs and sentences.
• Candidates should conform to the word limits to finish the exam in the time allocated.
• Candidates should test themselves in 2 hours and 45 minutes, just like they will be tested on the exam day. This will help them know what it feels like to take the reading, writing, and listening tests consecutively.
• Candidates should not spend too much time on the questions they can’t find an answer to. They should move to the next question and get back to it if they have any time left at the end.
• Candidates should practice both British and American accents, as some numbers and words are pronounced differently.
• Focus on grammar is very important. Students should make sure all the tasks are grammatically correct. 
• Candidates should ensure they have a good vocabulary and maintain the right pronunciation for all the test papers.

Read More: IELTS Preparation Online

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How to Postpone IELTS Exam	IELTS Score for New Zealand PR	How to Make Complex Sentences in IELTS
Agree or Disagree Essay IELTS	Common Spelling Mistakes in IELTS	How Many Times IELTS Exam is Conducted in a Year
Important Vocabulary for IELTS	How to Crack IELTS in first Attempt	How Much Time is Required to Prepare for IELTS

IELTS Exam Score Calculation

Listening Score Calculation

Listening band score	Correct Answers
9	39 – 40
8.5	37 – 38
8	35 – 36
7.5	32 – 34
7	30 – 31
6.5	26 – 29
6	23 – 25
5.5	18 – 22
5	16 – 17
4.5	13 – 15
4	11 – 12

The IELTS listening band score chart above depicts the bands awarded to applicants depending on the number of questions answered correctly in the listening skills section.

Note: The IELTS Listening Band score chart here represents the typical number of marks needed for each band score. Due to the variety of listening questions used on different occasions, actual marks can vary between examinations. 

Reading Score Calculation

Academic Reading Test		General Training Reading Test
Band Score	Correct Answers	Band Score	Correct Answers
9	40-39	9	40
8.5	38-37	8.5	39
8	36 – 35	8	37 – 38
7.5	34 – 33	7.5	36
7	32 – 30	7	34 – 35
6.5	29 – 27	6.5	32 – 33
6	26 – 23	6	30 – 31
5.5	22 – 19	5.5	27 – 29
5	18 – 15	5	23 – 26
4.5	14 – 13	4.5	19 – 22
4	12 – 10	4	15 – 18
3.5	9 – 8	3.5	12 – 14
3	7 – 6	3	9 – 11
2.5	5 – 4	2.5	6 – 8

Note: The IELTS Reading Band score chart above illustrates the typical marks required to earn each band score. Because different texts are utilized at different times, actual scores may vary slightly between tests. 

Read More About : IELTS Reading Band Score 

Writing Section Scoring Criteria 

Task Achievement (Task 1)	Providing a proper overview and highlighting key features/stage, details supported with proper data.
Task Response (Task 2)	Satisfying the requirements of the task and addressing the prompt in depth. Providing relevant and well-supported ideas with a clear conclusion.
Cohesion and Coherence	Organizing ideas and information into paragraphs and having a particular central idea in each paragraph.  Appropriately using a range of connectors.
Lexical Resource	Appropriate use of a range of vocabulary.  Avoiding errors in spelling and using paraphrasing.
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Using a range of grammar tenses and avoiding errors.

Speaking Section Scoring Criteria

Fluency and Coherence	Talking at length and speaking without pause or hesitation and using connectors that are easy to understand for listeners.
Lexical Resource	Using a variety of words, paraphrasing, and collocations.
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Avoiding grammatical errors. Using a range of tenses and correct sentence structures.
Pronunciation	Using a variety of phonological features to communicate effectively.

Read More: How IELTS Speaking Score is Calculated

IELTS Books 

There are numerous IELTS books available in the market for IELTS preparation. Some popular options include:

• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
• Cambridhttp://www.ieltsidpindia.com/ge Grammar for IELTS
• Workbook for IELTS Life Skills A1 (Official Cambridge Test Practice A1)
• Road to IELTS
• IELTS Trainer 
• Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics E-book
• Barron’s IELTS Superpack
• IELTS 15 Student’s Book (General & Academic editions)
• Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers with Audio
• Common Mistakes at IELTS Advanced And How to Avoid Them

Final Thoughts 

Preparing for the IELTS exam requires dedication and effective study strategies. Use the resources available, including official practice tests and study materials, to enhance your chances of achieving a high score. 

Understanding the requirements of the institutions or immigration authorities you are applying to is crucial in setting your target score. Check the IELTS exam 2024 dates properly, complete IELTS registration, and book the slots at your nearby test center.