IELTS Eligibility Criteria

IELTS or the International English Language Testing System is a standardized English proficiency test that is designed to assess the linguistic ability of a non-native English language speaker. It is usually taken by candidates who want to study, work, or migrate to certain countries. This test is jointly managed by IDP: IELTS, The British Council, and the Cambridge Assessment English. In this blog, we will explain the IELTS exam eligibility criteria in detail!

About IELTS Exam

The IELTS is managed by IELTS, British Council, and Cambridge Assessment English.  This exam is of two kinds depending on the purpose of the test. The IELTS Academic is the test for those planning to study abroad. If you want to migrate or shift to another country for work, the exam you have to take is the General Training version. Irrespective of whichever form of the exam you appear for, the eligibility criteria remain the same. 

Versions of IELTS

So which version of the IELTS examination do you need to appear for? Let’s find out-

Purpose	IELTS version
Studying abroad	IELTS Academic
Migrating or work-related training in another country	IELTS General Training

The IELTS eligibility for both the versions is same.

IELTS Eligibility 2022

IELTS does not have major conditions on its eligibility. However, there are some points which you must keep in mind.

IELTS Eligibility Criteria	Not Specific
Minimum Age	16
Passport	Valid, non-expired passport.
Use	1. Planning to immigrate to Australia/Canada/New Zealand/UK. 2. Want to study in Australia/Canada/New Zealand/USA/UK and other countries. 3. Medical professionals who plan to study or work further in Australia/UK/USA.
Minimum IELTS Score for Top Universities	The minimum score varies from one university to another.

IELTS Exam Eligibility for Indian Students

As mentioned above, IELTS is taken by aspirants who wish to study, work or migrate to some select countries but IELTS is useful in many other scenarios as well. IELTS is compulsory if you are planning to study in Australia, Canada, UK, and New Zealand. It is also accepted in over 3,000 US academic institutes including Ivy League colleges and many schools situated across the globe.

• Apart from that, many organizations and MNC’s require IELTS if you plan to work at a branch situated in an English speaking country. You can find all the institutions that accept IELTS here.

• IELTS is also the only secure English Language Test that is officially approved by UK Visas and Immigration for UK visa applicants.

• You can also apply for Immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. IELTS is accepted by immigration authorities and can be taken as a substitute to TOEFL for the mentioned countries.

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Minimum IELTS Score Requirement

There is no such thing as a minimum IELTS score. Each university has its own set of standards for admission. Each university and country has its own standards for IELTS scores in order to be admitted. As a result, it is recommended that you aim for the highest band scores in order to gain admission to your preferred university. If you have already picked which university you want to attend, you should ask your study abroad counsellor about their IELTS score criteria.

What is the 12th percentage required for IELTS? 

There are no percentage criteria required to appear for the IELTS examinations. Irrespective of the total percentage you have secured in 12th or equivalent, you can appear for the IELTS examinations. It is the test that is required to prove your English proficiency for getting admission to foreign universities. 

What is the Minimum Age for giving the IELTS Exam?

The minimum age for taking an IELTS Exam is 16 years and you must have a valid passport. Age is an important part of the IELTS exam eligibility.

IELTS Exam Eligibility Countries

IELTS is accepted in the following countries:

• UK
• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand

Minimum IELTS Score required by Top Universities

Top Universities in the World accept IELTS Scores. Here is the requirement of to the Universities in the World: 

University	IELTS Required
Stanford University	–
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7.0
California Institute of Technology	7.0
Harvard University	7.0
Princeton University	7.0
Yale University	7.0
University of Chicago	7.0
University of Pennsylvania	7.0
Johns Hopkins University	7.0
University of California, Berkeley	7.0

Countries that Accept IELTS Scores

140 countries across the world accept the IELTS score. The top countries that require an IELTS score are:

• The USA
• UK
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Ireland

IELTS Examinations Conducted

The IELTS examinations are administered by the following governing councils:

• International Development Program (IDP)
• British Council
• Cambridge English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL)

Indians frequently use the IDP and the British Council to register for IELTS exams. The validity of the outcomes of each council is being debated. However, there is no real distinction between the two. You can register for IELTS with one of the two councils. The test technique is the same, and the findings have the same credentials. After passing the IELTS exam, you will be able to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking nation.

IELTS Eligibility for UK

To study in the UK, you need to have at least an English proficiency asked by your course and the University you apply to. Here are some of the top universities in UK that accept IELTS:

University	IELTS for Undergraduate	IELTS for Postgraduate
University of Oxford	7	7.5
University of Cambridge	7	7
Imperial College London	7	7
University College London	6.5	6.5
University of Edinburgh	6.5	6.5

Also Read: Study in UK without IELTS Universities, Visa Requirements

IELTS Eligibility Criteria for Canada

To apply for a Canadian visa, you need to have at least an English proficiency of CLB 7 which matches the IELTS 6 Score. However, for different courses and different universities, the eligibility is different. Here are some of the top universities in Canada that accept IELTS:

University	IELTS for Undergraduate	IELTS for Postgraduate
University of Toronto	6.5	7
University of British Columbia	6.5	6.5
McGill University	6.5	6.5
McMaster University	6.5	6.5
University of Alberta	6.5	6.5

Also Read: Study in Canada Without IELTS

IELTS Special Requirement

As previously stated, individuals with particular needs can also take the IELTS tests. Students who meet the IELTS 2022 special requirement requirements are eligible to take the test, ensuring equal chances for everyone who wishes to study and work overseas. People who fall within this category include:

• People that have learning challenges
• People who are deaf or hard of hearing
• People who are visually impaired
• Individuals suffering from specific medical conditions

Those who meet any of the categories listed above are eligible for special accommodations at IELTS test centres if they notify the authorities at least three months before the test. The authorities must also authorise the same.

IELTS Indicator (Online Home Test) Requirements

IELTS Indicator is a new online IELTS test style that all applicants can take at their leisure. It was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide some assistance to students applying for admittance abroad, especially if they are unable to take the IELTS test in person. Candidates from India who are taking the IELTS Indicator must meet specific conditions before taking the test, which is outlined here.

• Candidates must have a laptop or desktop computer.
• To avoid interruptions during the test, the place or room where candidates will take the test must be calm and comfortable.
• Applicants must guarantee that their internet connection is dependable.
• The candidate must be equipped with high-quality headphones.
• The laptop or desktop computer must also have a fully functional webcam.
• To take the test, candidates must download and install the Zoom application.
• Additionally, applicants must download and install the Safe Exam Browser (SEB).

IELTS Eligibility for USA

To study in the USA, you need to have at least an English proficiency of at least an IELTS 5.5 Score. However, for different exams and different universities, the eligibility is different. Here are some of the top universities in USA that accept IELTS:

University	IELTS for Undergraduate	IELTS for Postgraduate
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7.0	7.0
California Institute of Technology	7.0	7.0
Harvard University	7.0	7.0
Princeton University	7.0	7.0
Yale University	7.0	7.0

Also Read: Study in USA without IELTS

IELTS Exam Pattern

There exist 4 subsections in IELTS which are: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. One has to appear for the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections on the same day. The Speaking section can be completed anytime in the week before or after the other sections. The day of the speaking test is advised by individual test centres. The total length of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The score is counted in different IELTS bands which range from 0-9 where 6-8 is considered the median score. 

Section	Duration	Number of Questions	Details
Listening	30 Minutes[Plus 10 minutes transfer time]	40	4 sections with 10 questions each. You have to listen to the recordings and write down the answer to the questions.
Reading	60 Minutes	40	Includes 3 passages with a variety of questions.
Writing	60 Minutes	2	There exist two writing tasks and both must be completed.
Speaking	11-14 Minutes	3 Parts	An oral interview is recorded.

How are the scores calculated?

All the scores of the test are between 0 – 9. The scores are calculated by averaging out the scores of the above mentioned four sections. The scores can be .5 as well as 6.5 or 7.5. In the case of decimal figures other than 5 or 0, the score is rounded up or down to the nearest 0.5. For Instance, 6.1 will be rounded down to 6 or 7.75 will be rounded up to 8. 

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IELTS General Test vs IELTS Academic

The Listening and Speaking section is the same irrespective of the type of test that you are taking. The difference comes in the Reading and Writing sections as the subject matter differs. The reading section of the academic test consists of 3 long paragraphs that are taken from books, articles, newspapers, and magazines. These texts are considered to be apt for students and a little advanced than the paragraphs in the general test. The paragraphs in the general test are inspired by the material that you may encounter on a day-to-day basis if you are living in an English-speaking country. Coming to the writing section, the examiner expects a more polished essay from the academic test takers.

Note: Both Academic and General Training measure your competencies in all 4 sections, however, the questions are a little different and one test might suit you more than the other. To know more about this, read our blog on IELTS General.

Also Read:

• Vocabulary for IELTS
• Movies for IELTS Listening
• Different IELTS Bands
• How to Crack IELTS in 3 Months?
• Go from IELTS Band 5 to 7 in 35 Days: Tips for IELTS Speaking Section
• Questions of Writing Task 1 in IELTS: IELTS Writing Skills
• How Long Is IELTS Score Valid?

FAQs about IELTS Eligibility

Hopefully, you are now familiar with IELTS Eligibility requirements. We, at Leverage Edu, aim at taking your career a step further. We want to make sure you don’t repeat your IELTS and that’s why we have the best career guidance and access to high-quality study material uniquely curated to help you. You can also enrol in our centres for IELTS coaching in Delhi, IELTS coaching in Noida and other locations like Rohini, Gurgaon, and West Delhi to boost your exam preparation!