Unitec Institute of Technology

About IELTS

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is used to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.

IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS is accepted by many professional organisations as an indication of English ability, including the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, government departments and professional bodies. It is also recognised by most New Zealand, Australian, British and Canadian academic institutions. Please refer to a full list of recognising organisations on the IELTS website www.ielts.org.

To take the IELTS test, you must select either the Academic or General Training module. Ask your sponsor, or the educational institution where you want to study, which module you should select.

Band scores are recorded on a Test Report Form, showing overall ability as well as performance in listening, reading, writing and speaking. There are 9 Bands from Band 1 - Non-user to Band 9 - Expert user. Results will be issued two weeks after you have taken the test.

The award-winning IELTS testing centre at Unitec offers the internationally recognised IELTS test at least twice a month.

You can prepare for the IELTS test with an IELTS Preparation short course. This course runs regularly throughout the year and includes a review of language and vocabulary skills, as well as an introduction to the test.

Last edited: 20 August 2012