If you plan to come to Canada to study or work, you must take the IELTS exam. Precisely, you must have a good command of spoken and written English.
If you are wondering who is eligible for the IELTS and whether it’s essential to qualify for a student visa, this article will provide all the information you need.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a globally recognized language test, especially in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK. It assesses knowledge of the English language through four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You can work on paper or electronically.
IELTS is often a mandatory requirement for admission to universities and colleges abroad. A good IELTS score increases students' chances of admission to the desired program.
The test types include IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, IELTS UKVI and IELTS Life Skills.
IELTS doesn’t require particular eligibility criteria so that all students can take the exam.
IELTS Eligibility Criteria 2024: The only requirement is the age limit, meaning you must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for the test.
The basic eligibility requirements for taking the IELTS exam must be met for, and those are:
Although it’s essential to have a record of English language proficiency for academic, immigration or professional purposes, there is a general rule and official position on the age limit for IELTS test takers.
Although IELTS is available worldwide to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, or religion, it is not intended for people under 16.
As mentioned above, the optimal age for taking the IELTS regarding age-specific, skill-dependent, purpose-oriented, and proficiency-reflective requirements is 16 years old.
There is no maximum age limit for IELTS.
IELTS offers two tests: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. What is the difference, and which one should you take?
Here are a few key things that make them different:
Which one you will do depends on your student goals, whether you are preparing for academic studies or navigating everyday life and the work environment.
An excellent score is achieved by good preparation. If you don’t know how to prepare effectively for the IELTS test, look at the preparation tips below, which will help you do your test as well as possible.
Practice tests are significant in understanding the exam format. Here's why.
If you want to manage your time during the exam, you should know specific strategies:
Taking the test necessitates preparation, namely the following 4 sections:
A good practice includes participation in certain activities. Everyday activities that can help improve English proficiency apply to:
Tips for enhancing reading skills, necessary for the IELTS reading section, include:
IELTS registration fees vary from country to country or test center.
However, if you take the test in Canada, here are some fees in Canadian dollars:
The IELTS band score is determined by the following skill levels:
If you didn’t know, every IELTS report can be checked via the online IELTS Results Service.
The result varies depending on which program you apply for. If you are attending the undergraduate programme, you must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each module, and if you are attending the postgraduate programme, you must have up to 6.5 overall and 6.0 per module.
This is a general presentation of the results, considering that some institutions and their programs require a slightly higher threshold for passing.
If you want to know the minimum IELTS scores required by some top universities around the world, check this list:
Yes, it is possible. Individuals planning to come to Canada must provide proof of school certificates showing they have studied English. Some universities even require an intensive English language program.
Some alternatives to IELTS for studying abroad, such as TOEFL or PTE, are also available. If you want more details about other tests, you can learn about TOEFL vs. IELTS tests when studying abroad The conditions under which these tests are accepted vary by educational institution and country.
As a working professional, you can take the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic tests. Each test complies with institutional regulations.
Passing the IELTS exam is understood as opening up many business opportunities, especially if you need a license or certification.
It doesn’t matter where you take an IELTS exam.
Citizenship or nationality doesn't directly affect eligibility to take language-based tests. Some countries or institutions may have specific minimum score requirements for nationals of certain countries, especially for visa or immigration purposes.