| Updated On - Sep 5, 2025
IELTS Academic Highlights:
- Gateway to Higher Education: IELTS academic score helps you to demonstrate English proficiency for university and college admissions in English-speaking countries.
- Globally Recognized: Accepted by more than 12,000 universities and institutions in countries like UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Multiple Test Dates: IELTS academic test dates are offered throughout the year, allowing flexibility in scheduling.
- Emphasis on Academic Skills: IELTS academic exam assesses your ability to understand and respond to academic materials and discussions.
IELTS Academic is the version of the IELTS exam taken by students who want to study abroad. More than 12,000 institutions in more than 140 countries accept the IELTS Academic scores for admission to their undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs.
The IELTS Academic test assesses a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English in an academic setting. For this, the test measures skills in the 4 important areas of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The total score ranges between 0 and 9, and achieving a minimum score of 7.0 is key to admission in top universities around the world.
Conducted by IDP, the IELTS Academic test is available to be taken in both computer-based and paper-based modes. The exam dates for the computer-based test are available throughout the year, while only 48 dates a year (4 dates a month) are available for the paper-based test. The IELTS Academic has around 78 test centers across numerous cities in India, and the exam fee in 2025 is ₹18,000 in India.
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IELTS Academic Test Format
The IELTS Academic test paper is divided into 4 sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each section has a different number of questions and duration. The total duration of the IELTS Academic test is 2 hours and 45 minutes. One important thing to note is that the 3 sections, Listening, Reading, and Writing (in this order), are conducted on the same day, while the Speaking section may be conducted on the same day, 7 days after, or 7 days before the scheduled test date, depending on your test center. The details of the IELTS Academic test format are given in the table below.
| Section | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Listening | 4 recordings, 40 questions | 30 minutes |
| IELTS Reading | 3 passages, 40 questions | 60 minutes |
| IELTS Writing | 2 tasks (Task 1: 150 words, Task 2: 250 words) | 60 minutes |
| IELTS Speaking | 3 tasks: Introduction, Talk on a Topic, Discussion | 11-14 minutes |
IELTS Academic Listening
The IELTS Academic Listening section tests your ability to understand the development of ideas, opinions, factual information, and purpose. The section provides you with 4 recordings, which can only be played once. Based on the recordings, a total of 40 questions will be asked, with a duration of 60 minutes. The types of questions vary from multiple-choice to short answers. The table below explains the IELTS Academic Listening section format.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of recordings | 4 |
| Number of questions | 40 |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
| Recording Types |
Conversation in a social context Monologue Conversation in an academic context Lecture on a given topic |
| Question Types |
Multiple-choice Matching Map/diagram labeling Form completion Short-answer questions |
IELTS Academic Reading
The IELTS Academic Reading section tests your ability to understand suggested meanings, information, and arguments in academic texts. You will be provided with 3 passages drawn from various sources like books, magazines, and journals. Based on each passage, you will be required to answer a total of 40 questions in 60 minutes. The types of questions in the reading sections include information identification, sentence ending matching, and short answer questions. Check the table below for details.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of passages | 3 |
| Number of questions | 40 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Passage sources | Books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. |
| Question Types |
Diagram label completion Analyzing a writer's views or claims Information identification Feature matching Heading matching Matching information Sentence ending matching Multiple choice questions Sentence completion Short-answer questions Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion |
IELTS Academic Writing
The IELTS Academic Writing section consists of 2 tasks, which measure your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively in written English. Task 1 requires you to describe or explain the visual representation of information in 150 words, and Task 2 requires you to write an essay on a given statement in 200 words. Maintaining the mentioned word limit in each task is essential. Here are the details of this section.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of tasks | 2 |
| Duration | 60 minutes (Task 1: 20 minutes, Task 2: 40 minutes) |
| Task 1 | Describe, summarize, or explain the information given in a graph, table, chart, or diagram. |
| Task 2 | Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. |
| Answer length |
Task 1: 150 words Task 2: 200 words |
IELTS Academic Speaking
While the above sections are conducted on the same day, the Speaking section may be conducted on the same day, 7 days before, or 7 days after, depending on your test center. The IELTS Academic Speaking section involves a one-to-one interview with your examiner. You will be given 3 tasks to complete in 11-14 minutes. The first task requires you to introduce yourself. In the second task, you will be given a card on which a topic will be written, and you will have to speak on it. The 3rd task involves having an extended discussion on the same topic with the examiner/interviewer. This section measures your ability to give opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences. Check out the details given in the table below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of tasks | 3 |
| Duration | 11-14 minutes (4-5 minutes for task 1, 3-4 minutes for task 2, 4-5 minutes for task 3) |
| Tasks |
Introduction Speak at length on a topic given by the examiner Answer questions related to the topic asked by the examiner |
IELTS Academic Score
The total IELTS Academic score ranges between 0 and 9 bands, with each band describing a different proficiency level. The correct answers you give will be calculated as scores, and then this score is converted to an IELTS band score. The IELTS Academic Listening and Reading scores are awarded based on correct answers, while the Writing and Speaking sections also take into account coherence, task achievement, pronunciation, grammatical range, and accuracy. Check the table below to understand your IELTS Academic score and band descriptions.
| Band | Level | Descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| Band 9 | Expert User | Use of English is accurate, appropriate, and fluent. |
| Band 8 | Very Good User |
Has full operational command of the language. Might misunderstand some of the unfamiliar situations. Ability to handle most of the complex arguments. |
| Band 7 | Good User |
Operational command of the language, but has misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language and understands detailed reasoning. |
| Band 6 | Competent User |
Good command of the language, but faces some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. Understands and uses reasonably complex language in familiar situations. |
| Band 5 | Modest User |
Partial command of the language and can manage the overall meaning in most situations. Makes mistakes, but can handle basic communication. |
| Band 4 | Limited User |
Limited to familiar situations only, and faced problems in understanding. Unable to use complex language and have difficulty with unfamiliar words. |
| Band 3 | Extremely Limited User |
Understands and delivers general English, and only in very familiar situations. Breakdowns in conversation. |
| Band 2 | Intermittent User | Difficulty in understanding spoken and written English. |
| Band 1 | Non-User | Cannot use the language except for a few limited words. |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test | - |
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IELTS Academic Score for Top Universities
More than 12,000 universities worldwide accept the IELTS Academic scores for admission to their programs. The top universities include Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and Cambridge. You need to check what score requirement your target university has set and prepare for the IELTS Academic test accordingly. The table below mentions the IELTS Academic score cut-off for some top universities abroad.
| University | IELTS Academic Score |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 7.5 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 7.0 |
| Harvard University | 6.5 |
| Princeton University | 8.0 |
| University of Cambridge | 7.0 |
| Stanford University | 7.0 |
| California Institute of Technology | 7.5 |
| UC-Berkeley | 7.0 |
| Imperial College London | 7.0 |
| Yale University | 7.0 |
| National University of Singapore | 7.0 |
| University of Toronto | 7.0 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 7.0 |
| Cornell University, Ithaca | 7.0 |
| Technical University Munich | 6.5 |
| The University of Hong Kong | 6.5 |
From the above table, it is evident that you have to score at least 6.5 to get admission to top universities. To prepare accordingly, check the preparation tips in the following section.
Also Check: Top Universities Abroad Accepting IELTS
IELTS Academic Preparation Tips
Achieving a good IELTS score (minimum 6.5) requires dedicated practice. Most of the top-ranked universities require a 6.5+ band score. You can start your preparation for the IELTS Academic online or join coaching classes for structured learning. It is advisable to start preparation at least 2 or 3 months before your IELTS Academic test dates. Here are some best preparation tips and strategies to achieve a good score in the exam.
- Understand the test format: Master the exam structure and question types of each section.
- Improve your vocabulary: Read academic content, journals, magazines, newspapers, and listen to podcasts.
- Plan your study: Prioritize your weaknesses and schedule your study plan to focus on these weak areas.
- Practice timed tests: Take full-length mock tests that simulate real exam experience.
- Manage your time: Develop effective time allocation strategies for every section and practice tests.
- Consider coaching: Don't hesitate to get expert guidance if needed.
- Seek feedback: Learn from others' insights who have achieved a good score or have excellent English language proficiency.
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Most Indian students prefer taking the IELTS Academic as a language proficiency test for universities abroad. Achieving a higher IELTS academic score requires effective practice with sample papers and books. The IELTS Academic booking process is simply done online, or you can visit any nearby IDP branches.
FAQs
Ques. Can I take the IELTS Academic test more than once?
Ans. Yes, there’s no limit to how many times you can take the IELTS Academic test. You can retake it whenever you're ready and feel prepared to improve your score.
Ques. How long is an IELTS Academic score valid?
Ans. IELTS Academic scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. Make sure your score is valid when applying to universities.
Ques. Do all sections of the IELTS Academic carry equal weight in scoring?
Ans. Yes, each section, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, contributes equally (25%) to the overall band score.
Ques. Is there a break during the IELTS Academic test?
Ans. There is no official break between the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections. You can take short pauses only between sections if permitted by your center, but it’s generally continuous.
Ques. Can I choose the order of sections in the IELTS Academic test?
Ans. No, the order is fixed: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking are scheduled separately.
Ques. What happens if I exceed the word limit in the Writing section?
Ans. While exceeding by a small margin is fine, writing too much may reduce coherence and cost you marks if your answer becomes repetitive or unfocused.
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