IELTS Application Form in 2024: Step-by-Step Guide
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS test) is a widely recognized English language proficiency test that is conducted by the British Council and the IDP Education system. It is designed to assess the language skills of individuals who wish to pursue education, work opportunities, or permanent residency (PR) in countries such as Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand, and others. The IELTS test is accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide and is taken by more than 5 million people every year. By taking the IELTS test and obtaining a desirable score, individuals can enhance their chances of achieving their educational and career goals in an English-speaking environment.
IELTS 2024 – Highlights
Exam name | International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
Conducting Body | British Council & IDP Education |
Registration mode | Online/ Offline |
Exam Modes | Online/ Offline |
IELTS test duration | 2 hours and 45 minutes |
Chances for Re-attempts | No limit |
Also read: Top 3 Reasons To Take IELTS Test
Types of IELTS Exams
There are four types of IELTS exams:
1. IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is designed for students who want to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies at an English-speaking university. The test assesses your ability to understand and use academic English in a variety of contexts, including lectures, tutorials, and textbooks.
2. IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is designed for people who want to migrate to an English-speaking country, work in an English-speaking environment, or train or study at below degree level. The test assesses your ability to communicate in English in everyday situations, such as at work, school, and social gatherings.
3. IELTS for UKVI
IELTS for UKVI is a secure English language test (SELT) that is approved by the UK Home Office for visa applications. It is available in both Academic and General Training formats.
4. IELTS Life Skills
IELTS Life Skills is a SELT that assesses your speaking and listening skills only. It is available at three levels: A1, A2, and B1.
Also Read: Where Can Your IELTS Score Take You?
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between the four types of IELTS exams:
Type of exam | Purpose | Reading and writing tests |
IELTS Academic | Studying at an English-speaking university | Academic texts, such as journal articles and textbooks |
IELTS General Training | Migrating to an English-speaking country, working in an English-speaking environment, or training or studying at below degree level | Everyday texts, such as newspapers, magazines, and brochures |
IELTS for UKVI | Applying for a UK visa | Available in both Academic and General Training formats |
IELTS Life Skills | Assessing speaking and listening skills only | Available at three levels: A1, A2, and B1 |
IELTS Mode of Examination
The IELTS exam is offered in two modes: paper-based and computer-based. The Speaking test is the same for both modes, but the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are different.
Paper-based IELTS
The paper-based IELTS exam is the traditional format of the test. All four sections of the test are administered on paper. You will be given a pencil and an answer sheet to complete your answers.
Computer-based IELTS
The computer-based IELTS exam is a newer format of the test. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of the test are administered on a computer. You will be given headphones and a keyboard to complete your answers.
Also read: IELTS Exam: Should You Take Computer-Based IELTS or IELTS on Paper
Speaking test
The Speaking test is the same for both paper-based and computer-based IELTS. The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between you and an IELTS examiner. The examiner will ask you a variety of questions about yourself, your interests, and your experiences.
How to Apply for IELTS 2024
To fill out your IELTS application form in 2024, you can follow these steps:
Here is a more detailed breakdown of each step:
Step 1: Visit the official IELTS website and click on the “Book Now” button.
The official IELTS website is the best place to start your IELTS application process. You can find all the information you need about the exam, including test dates, locations, and fees.
Step 2: Select your test date and test location.
There are four types of IELTS exams: Academic, General Training, for UKVI, and Life Skills. Choose the test type that is required by the institution or organization that you are applying to. Once you have selected your test type, you will need to choose a test date and location. Test dates and locations can vary depending on your country.
Click on the “Book Now” button. Once you have selected your test type, test date, and test location, you will be able to continue to the registration form.
Step 3: Complete the online registration form.
The online registration form will ask you for basic information, such as your name, contact information, and passport number. You will also need to select your preferred Speaking test time slot.
NOTE: You will need to upload a copy of your passport (or other valid identification document) to your IELTS account. This is required for all IELTS test takers.
Step 4: Pay the test fee.
The IELTS test fee varies depending on your country. You can pay the test fee using a credit or debit card.
Step 5: Review your application and submit it.
Once you have completed the registration form and paid the test fee, you will need to review your application and submit it.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email from IELTS. You will also be able to download a copy of your test confirmation from your IELTS account.
IELTS 2024 Registration Fees
The IELTS exam fee in India varies as per the exam type. Please refer to the below table for detailed information on IELTS test fees before understanding how to apply for IELTS:
Test Type | Cost (INR) |
Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI | 16,500 |
Computer-delivered IELTS | 16,250 |
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | 15,350 |
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration | 16,500 |
Pen and paper-based IELTS | 16,250 |
IELTS 2024 Eligibility Criteria
The IELTS eligibility criteria for 2024 are as follows:
- You must be at least 16 years old on the day of the test.
- You must have a valid passport or other form of government-issued identification.
- You must meet the specific IELTS requirements of the institution or organization that you are applying to.
There is no minimum educational qualification for the IELTS exam. However, if you are planning to study at a university, you will need to meet the university’s entrance requirements, which may include specific IELTS scores.
How to fill out the application form for the IELTS One skill retake?
If you’ve taken your full test at an eligible test center, and you’re eligible for IELTS One Skill Retake, how do you book it?
- Log in to your IELTS profile here
- View your past test results
- Click the “retake” button on the skill you wish to retake.
- Fill in the required information, such as your personal details, preferred test date, and identification documents.
- Select the test center location from the available options in India.
- Pay the registration fee using the provided online payment methods.
- Once the registration is complete, you will receive an email confirmation with further instructions and your exam details.
How to reschedule IELTS application form?
To reschedule your IELTS application form, you will need to contact the test center where you booked your test. You can find the contact information for your test center on the IELTS website.
If you reschedule your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee. If you reschedule your application within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a serious medical reason. If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.
Here are the steps on how to reschedule your IELTS application form:
- Go to the IELTS website and log in to your account.
- Click on the “My Tests” tab.
- Click on the “Reschedule” button next to the test that you want to reschedule.
- Select a new test date and time.
- Pay the rescheduling fee.
- Confirm your rescheduling request.
You will receive a confirmation email from IELTS once your rescheduling request has been processed.
How to cancel IELTS application form?
To cancel your IELTS application form, you will need to contact the test center where you booked your test. You can find the contact information for your test center on the IELTS website.
If you cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration fee. If you cancel your application within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a serious medical reason. If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.
Here are the steps on how to cancel your IELTS application form:
- Go to the IELTS website and log in to your account.
- Click on the “My Tests” tab.
- Click on the “Cancel” button next to the test that you want to cancel.
- Provide a reason for cancelling your test.
- Confirm your cancellation request.
You will receive a confirmation email from IELTS once your cancellation request has been processed.
IELTS Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Sections | Details | NO. of Questions | Score | Duration |
Listening | MCQs will be asked accordingly | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
Reading | Multiple-choice questions will be asked accordingly | 40 | 40 | 60 min |
Writing |
|
2 | Whole/Half band | 60 min |
Speaking | Face-to-face interview | 3 | Whole/Half band | 11-14 min |
IELTS 2024 Exam Centres in India
State | City |
Gujarat | Ahmedabad |
Anand | |
Baroda | |
Mehsana | |
Rajkot | |
Surat | |
Vadodara | |
Navsari | |
Gandhinagar | |
Nadiad | |
Vapi | |
Punjab | Amritsar |
Jalandhar | |
Ludhiana | |
Moga | |
Patiala | |
Sri Muktsar Sahib | |
Sangrur | |
Raikot | |
Barnala | |
Bathinda | |
Faridkot | |
Firozpur | |
Gurdaspur | |
Hoshiarpur | |
Jagraon | |
Kapurthala | |
Nawanshahr | |
Kerala | Angamaly |
Calicut | |
Kochi | |
Kottayam | |
Thrissur | |
Chengannur | |
Kannur | |
Kollam | |
Kothamangalam | |
Trivandrum | |
Karnataka | Bangalore |
Mangalore | |
Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
Indore | |
Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
Coimbatore | |
Madurai | |
Tiruchirappalli | |
Delhi | New Delhi |
Haryana | Gurgaon |
Kurukshetra | |
Ambala | |
Karnal | |
Uttar Pradesh | Noida |
Lucknow | |
Goa | Goa |
Assam | Guwahati |
Rajasthan | Jaipur |
Sri Ganganagar | |
Telangana | Hyderabad |
West Bengal | Kolkata |
Siliguri | |
Maharashtra | Mumbai |
Navi Mumbai | |
Pune | |
Thane | |
Nagpur | |
Nashik | |
Bihar | Patna |
Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
Jharkhand | Ranchi |
Andhra Pradesh | Vijayawada |
Visakhapatnam | |
Tirupati | |
Uttarakhand | Rudrapur |
Dehradun | |
Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu |
Bhutan | Thimphu |
Improving your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills is essential for IELTS exam in India. Familiarizing yourself with the exam format and practicing regularly can greatly improve your IELTS score. If you’re considering taking the IELTS exam, speaking with our experts can provide valuable guidance. At MSM Unify, our team of experienced counselors is dedicated to assisting students in their study abroad journey.
FAQs
How can I apply for IELTS exam 2024?
Visit the IELTS India webpage. Click on “Register for IELTS” or “Book Now” to start the registration process. Choose the type of IELTS exam you need from the available options: Computer, Paper-Based, UKVI, or Life Skills. Select your preferred test type: IELTS Academic Test or General IELTS.
What is IELTS syllabus?
The IELTS syllabus contains a total of four sections: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking. For the two IELTS test types i.e. Academic and General Training, the reading and writing sections will be different while the listening and speaking sections will be similar for both test versions.
Is IELTS very difficult?
The difficulty level of skill may vary from person to person. Listening can be difficult for some while reading can be difficult for others. Similarly, writing can be the hardest for a few candidates. So, you can prepare for the exam and make sure to focus more on your weak areas.
Is 6.5 easy in IELTS?
IELTS 6.5 band comes with extensive practice, determination, hard work, and perseverance. You should emphasize suitable daily learning modules while also taking cues from practical life. It is easy to score 6.5 bands for a non-native speaker on the first attempt with proper strategy and consistent practice.
Can I combine 2 IELTS results?
If you need to combine your IELTS test results from two (or more tests), then the IELTS tests must all take place within two years of submission of results to the Teaching Council. IELTS is available at more than 1,100 test centers globally, including over 15 test venues in New Zealand.