The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English-language test that measures your English proficiency if you want to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country.

It’s often a key requirement for visas, university admission, and professional registration in New Zealand.

Test types

Test sections

  • IELTS Academic: for higher education or professional registration

  • IELTS General Training: for migration, work, or secondary studies

 

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Scoring

Results

  • IELTS is scored on a 9-band scale from 0 to 9.

  • You receive a score for each section and an overall score.

  • Your overall score is the average of all four sections, rounded to the nearest half band.

 

  • IELTS on computer: results typically within one day

  • You will receive an official Test Report Form (TRF)

  • Your results may be issued as a paper TRF or an electronic version (eTRF)

 

What is the IELTS test format?

The IELTS test format includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. 

You complete Listening, Reading, and Writing in one sitting on the same day, while the Speaking test may be scheduled on the same day or on a different day, depending on the test centre.

Learn more about the IELTS test format

IELTS test sections

Listening

Reading

  • Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

  • Consists of 40 questions based on four audio recordings

 

  • Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

  • Consists of three reading texts

 

Writing

Speaking

  • Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

  • Consists of two tasks: Task 1 and Task 2

 

  • Duration: Approximately between 11 and 14 minutes

  • Has 3 parts

 

More people succeed with IELTS

From visa, to university, and work applications, test takers from all around the world achieved success with IELTS.


IELTS for permanent residency

Sandra used IELTS for her permanent residency application in Australia, with accommodations helping her perform at her best.

Read more

IELTS for postgraduate success

Adi used IELTS Academic to gain admission to the University of Melbourne and later earned recognition through a major IELTS award.

Read more

IELTS for professional registration

Katia took IELTS Academic to meet teacher registration requirements in Tasmania and build her future in education in Australia.

Read more

What are the IELTS test types?

The two main IELTS test types are IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

IELTS Academic is for people who want to study at a university or apply for professional registration. IELTS General Training is for those who plan to work, migrate, or train in an English-speaking country.

IELTS Academic

IELTS General Training

✓ For higher education

✓ Professional registration

✓ Assesses your language skills for academic purposes 

✓ For migration, work, or secondary studies

✓ Assesses your everyday English language skills. 

How is IELTS scored?

IELTS is scored on a 9-band scale, from 0 to 9.

You will get:

  • an overall band score

  • a score for each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Scores can be whole (6, 7) or half bands (6.5, 7.5). The IELTS band score chart helps you understand what your score means on your official Test Report Form (TRF).

Check with your university, employer, or visa authority for their required band and overall score.

IELTS overall band scores explained

How much does IELTS cost?

The official fee for the IELTS test in New Zealand is NZD 475 (including GST) in 2025. This applies to both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

You’ll need to pay at the time of your online application.

There are no extra charges for registration, payment processing, or late payment.

Here are the prices for other IELTS test types, including EOR (if you wish for a remark):

IELTS Fee

NZD 475

One Skill Retake

NZD 300

EOR (Enquiry on Results)

NZD 230

IELTS UKVI

NZD 490

IELTS Life Skills

NZD 375

Official IELTS preparation resources

IELTS Prepare

Access FREE practice tests, expert-led video tutorials, and articles to support your IELTS preparation.

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IELTS by IDP App

Prepare, book your test, and access your results all in ONE place. Access quizzes, 150+ articles, and app-exclusive courses.

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Full IELTS Mock Test

Take the full IELTS mock test with E2Language. Get instant scores, feedback, live classes, and 10% off.

Try the Full IELTS mock test

100% of Australian and New Zealand universities accept IELTS One Skill Retake

Didn’t get the score you needed on just one part of the test?

IELTS is the only English language test that offers One Skill Retake.

If you didn’t get your target score in one section, you don’t have to retake the whole test. You can just retake that one skill, so you can save time, money, and effort. 

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted by all universities in Australia and New Zealand, and by the Department of Home Affairs for all Australian visa subclasses.

Know more about IELTS One Skill Retake

Why choose IELTS? 

  • IELTS is the most widely accepted English language proficiency test in the world.  

  • IELTS is recognised by more than 12,500 organisations across 150+ countries

  • IELTS test results are typically available within one day.

  • IELTS scores are confidential and can only be released to the organisations that you authorise.  

  • IELTS is a fair and reliable test of English language proficiency.