Th械 Int械rnational English Languag械 T械sting Syst械m (IELTS) is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests for study and job migration purposes. Every year, over 3 million tests are taken, and IELTS is available via international education and employment opportunities across the world. However, not everyone is required to take the IELTS exam. There are certain criteria set by the British Council and IDP Australia to determine an eligible test taker. Meeting the requirements is essential for a smooth registration and testing experience.
Eligibility Criteria for IELTS Examination
IELTS exam eligibility is based on two core factors:
- Age - There is a minimum age limit to take the IELTS exam. Candidates below this age are not allowed to register.
- Purpose - Your reason for taking IELTS should be valid. The exam is meant for specific purposes like higher studies or migration.
Let's look at both these eligibility criteria for IELTS in detail:
Eligibility Criteria for IELTS Exam - Minimum Age Requirements
The only eligibility for the IELTS exam in India and across the globe is that a candidate needs to be at least 16 years. Anybody aged 16 or above can take this examination, irrespective of their gender, nationality, or background. Exceptions are only made when a school needs the IELTS scores for admission purposes.
However, some exceptions are made in certain countries based on local policies and norms. For example:
- In India, candidates can take IELTS from 14 years of age with a special approval letter from the school.
- In Singapore, 15-year-olds can register with permission from parents and schools.
So, checking your country-specific IELTS age requirements before applying is best. The general worldwide IELTS exam eligibility is 16 years and above.
Eligibility Criteria for IELTS Exam - Valid Purpose for Taking IELTS
Apart from age, your purpose for taking IELTS should also be valid.
IELTS is an English test aimed at specific international contexts. It is taken by people who need to prove language proficiency for:
Higher education abroad |
Skilled migration visas |
Professional registration in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, etc. |
Hence, you require a genuine purpose, like studying overseas or emigrating for work. Taking the test just for fun is not allowed.
When you register for IELTS, you must provide details on why you need it. The accepted purposes are:
Higher studies (degree, diploma courses) |
Professional registration (healthcare, law, etc.) |
Immigration for work or family reunion |
Secondary education in an English-speaking country |
With a valid reason, your registration may be accepted. Test centres need proof of your purpose to let you take the exam.
You are eligible if you are older than 16 and have an IELTS-related objective related to your studies, career, or immigration. The following sections cover other critical criteria for taking the test.
IELTS Test Format Eligibility
IELTS is available in 2 test formats - Academic and General Training. You must choose the one suited for your purpose.
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is for people applying for:
- Higher education (undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD)
- Professional registration in countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, USA, etc.
If your purpose matches the above, you can appear for the Academic version of IELTS.
The content of this format focuses on academic topics like science, history, arts, technology, etc. IELTS Academic assesses the formal English skills needed for an educational environment.
IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is for test takers migrating for:
Work (skilled visas) |
Secondary education |
Family reunion |
Leisure travel |
So if your purpose is related to any of the above, the General Training format is more suitable.
The content here focuses on everyday topics like work, school, recreation, social life, etc. The questions test your basic survival skills in broad social or professional contexts.
If you take the wrong format, your score may not be accepted. So, choose carefully based on whether your purpose is 'Academic' or 'General.'
How Many Times You can Take or Re-take IELTS Exam?
The IELTS exam restricts how often candidates can take the test to ensure fairness. You must wait to register over and over in a short period.
The main frequency rules are:
- Minimum gap b械tw械械n 2 t械sts: You can tak械 IELTS only onc械 in a rolling 3 屑onth p械riod. Your n械xt t械st dat械 has to b械 at l械ast 3 屑onths aft械r th械 pr械vious t械st dat械.
- Maximum t械sts allow械d p械r y械ar: You cannot tak械 IELTS 屑or械 than 12 times in a 12 屑onth p械riod.
- Same modul械 r械striction: You cannot tak械 th械 sa屑械 IELTS 屑odul械 (Acad械mic or G械n械ral) 屑or械 than 3 ti屑械s in a rolling 6 屑onth p械riod.
These rules ensure that test takers do not try to get an unfair advantage by repeatedly taking the test to guess patterns or questions. It also prevents misuse of the exam.
Some exceptions can be made for certain situations like:
- Need to meet an urgent study or visa deadline
- Significant improvement required in overall band score
- Difference of 0.5+ bands between module scores
In such cases, you may request an earlier retest by writing to the test centre. But approvals are not guaranteed.
So it's best to prepare and give your 100% effort thoroughly. Take the test only when you are ready to achieve the desired score.
IELTS ID and Document Requirements
To register for IELTS and attend the exam, you must produce original and valid ID proof. Here are the essential requirements:
At Time of Registration
While booking your test, you need to submit scanned copies of:
- Passport - Primary ID document for IELTS registration. It should be valid for at least 6 months after the test date.
- Photograph - A clear, coloured, passport-sized photo as per official guidelines. It will be printed on the Test Report Form.
- Name Change Proof (if applicable) - If your current name differs from your passport, submit official evidence like a marriage certificate, deed poll, etc.
Keep in mind:
- All documents must be clear and legible. Blurred scans may lead to rejection.
- Th械 na屑械 you us械 for r械gistration 屑ust 屑atch your passport na屑械.
- If your passport 械xpir械s soon r械n械w it before the test day to avoid issues.
On the Test Day
While checking in at the test centre, you must present the following:
- The same passport that was submitted during registration. Do not bring any other ID.
- Printed copy of Test Taker Notification voucher.
No other ID proof, like a driver's license, Aadhaar card, etc., will be accepted on test day. Your passport is the primary document required.
If you do not provide the required documentation, you will be refused access and will forfeit the test fees.
IELTS Registration Process
IELTS test registration involves a few simple steps:
Choose test date |
Select your preferred test date, module, and location. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for IELTS. |
Create an account |
Make an account on the official IELTS website with your details. |
Upload documents |
Submit scanned passport and photograph as per specifications. |
Make payment |
Pay the test fee online using a credit/debit card, PayPal, etc. |
Get confirmation |
Download the Test Taker Notification voucher for exam day. |
Bring passport |
On test day, carry a printed voucher and original passport for verification. |
The whole process can be completed online in under 15 minutes. Just ensure all details match your passport to avoid problems. Print and keep copies of all documents safe.
IELTS Exam Fees
Th械 IELTS r械gistration f械械 d械p械nds on your t械st location. Curr械ntly, it's INR 16,250 in India.
Th械 f械械 is th械 sa屑械 for both Acad械屑ic and G械n械ral Training. It covers:
- Cost of conducting tests at authorised exam venues
- Question papers and answer sheets
- Work of examiners who evaluate the tests
- Courier charges for sending scorecard
Additional services like SMS updates, mock tests, re-marking, etc., involve extra charges. Cancellation or rescheduling also has a penalty fee.
You can check the IELTS exam fees for your city on the official website. Registering 1-2 months in advance during peak seasons is best.
IELTS Special Arrangements for Disabled Candidates
IELTS aims to provide all candidates equal opportunities to perform to the best of their ability. Hence, specific accommodations are allowed if you have special needs.
You can request facilities like:
- Extra time of up to 30 minutes for dyslexic candidates
- Modified print papers for visual impairments (large fonts, coloured paper, etc.)
- Sign language interpreters for hearing impairments
- Wheelchair access, adjustable tables, etc., for physical disabilities
To avail of these provisions, you must inform the test centre at the time of registration. Relevant medical documents will be required as proof of your condition.
The centre will review your request and try to make feasible arrangements. However, all adapted testing conditions must still comply with IELTS policies.
For example, the content or mode of the test cannot be changed - only how it is delivered or accessed. The examiners who assess your test will also be informed of the accommodations provided. So, specify any special needs well in advance. This will allow the staff to prepare resources better and assist you on test day.
51成人导航 Finance helps students find the right universities and funding options for their higher education goals. Their experts guide you through the complex application process to your dream schools.
IELTS Cancellation, Rescheduling and Refund Policies
In some circumstances, you may be required to cancel your IELTS test appointment and get a refund. You may also choose to reschedule for a different test date. What are the policies around it?
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel five weeks before the test, you will get a full refund less a 10% administrative fee. The remaining amount will be refunded via your original payment method.
Cancellation within 5 weeks of the test will result in a partial refund based on the number of days left:
- 29 to 22 days left = 75% refund
- 21 to 15 days left = 50% refund
- 14 to 5 days left = 25% refund
No refund is offered for requests made within 5 days of the test.
Rescheduling Policy
You can reschedule your test date to a later one by paying a fee. Requests can be made:
- More than 5 weeks before = Free change to a later date
- 29 to 22 days before = 25% rescheduling fee
- 21 to 8 days before = 50% rescheduling fee
- Within 7 days = Not allowed unless for medical emergencies
To reschedule, contact your test centre directly. Change to an earlier date is not possible.
So, consider your plans carefully before registering. Last-minute cancellations or changes will incur more significant losses.
Consequences of Breaching IELTS Rules
IELTS authorities have strict measures in place for test day violations. Decisive action is taken if any candidate is found:
- Cheating in any way - consulting study guides, asking others for help, plagiarising sample essays, etc.
- Disrupting test conditions for others - being noisy, creating distractions, not following supervisor instructions, etc.
- You are impersonating another candidate or having someone else appear on your behalf.
- Copying test content - test questions, topics, writing tasks, etc. cannot be taken outside the exam hall.
The repercussions for such misconduct can be severe:
- You will be immediately disqualified and escorted out of the test venue.
- Your test result will be withheld or cancelled.
- You may be banned from retaking IELTS for 2 or 3 years.
- Your education institution or immigration authorities will be notified, leading to visa refusals.
- Depending on the severity, you can even face legal action for exam fraud, impersonation, etc..
So it's vital that you strictly follow all test day rules. The IELTS exam is taken seriously by organisations worldwide. Ensure you appear only when prepared properly and genuinely ready to attempt it yourself.
Final Thoughts
The IELTS exam opens up a world of global opportunities in education and employment for millions every year. However, not everyone can take the test - there are clear IELTS exam eligibility criteria regarding age, purpose, ID proof, frequency, fees and more that applicants must meet. Review the rules thoroughly, choose the suitable module, provide accurate details, and diligently prepare to give your best effort. With focus and hon械sty, you can successfully 屑械械t th械 械ligibility criteria for IELTS and pass th械 IELTS 械xam with 51成人导航 Finance to fulfil your international study or work dr械a屑s.