Country edition: USA Beta
USA · Exams · English proficiency

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic tests listening, reading, writing and speaking in 2 hours 45 minutes, at a test center or online. Scores are bands 0–9; in the U.S. the test costs $280 to $340 depending on location.

Length2 h 45 min
ScoreBand 0–9Half bands
U.S. fee$280–$340By location
Validity2 yearsRecommended
Test datesFees and fee helpFree official practice

Made by British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Who: Students and professionals whose first language is not English (not recommended under 16). Checked on the owner's own pages, 21 Oct 2026.

Who takes it

  • Choose IELTS Academic for undergraduate or graduate study, or professional registration (for example doctors and nurses).
    IELTS
    IELTS Academic test format and sectionsIELTS (British Council, IDP IELTS, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • In the U.S., IELTS runs at over 20 locations through independent providers managed by the IELTS USA office in Washington; it says over 3,400 U.S. institutions and programs accept it.
    British Council
    Take IELTS in the US: available tests and feesBritish Council
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • Candidates under 18 must be registered by a parent or guardian; IELTS is not recommended under age 16.
    British Council
    Take IELTS in the US: available tests and feesBritish Council
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Format and sections

Same format at a test center or online:

IELTS
IELTS Academic test format and sectionsIELTS (British Council, IDP IELTS, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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SectionTime
ListeningAbout 30 min
Reading60 min (including transfer time)
Writing60 min
Speaking11–14 min
  • Listening and Speaking are the same in Academic and General Training; Reading and Writing differ.
    IELTS
    IELTS Academic test format and sectionsIELTS (British Council, IDP IELTS, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Scoring

  • Bands from 0 (did not attempt) to 9 (expert) for each section; the overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band (.25 rounds up to the half band, .75 to the next whole band).
    IELTS
    IELTS scoring in detail (band scores, rounding, validity)IELTS (British Council, IDP IELTS, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • IELTS recommends treating results as valid for two years; organizations may accept older results.
    IELTS
    IELTS scoring in detail (band scores, rounding, validity)IELTS (British Council, IDP IELTS, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Fees and fee waivers

Test (in the U.S.)Fee
IELTS Academic or General Training$280–$340, depending on location
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration$305
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills (A1, B1)$195

Source:

British Council
Take IELTS in the US: available tests and feesBritish Council
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source

  • Fees vary, so check with your test center.
    British Council
    Take IELTS in the US: available tests and feesBritish Council
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Test dates

  • Dates are set by each test center: you get a confirmation email with your Speaking and Listening/Reading/Writing times, and the Speaking time can change.
    British Council
    Take IELTS in the US: available tests and feesBritish Council
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Where it is accepted

  • Check which IELTS test, and which result, each organization you apply to needs.
    British Council
    Take IELTS in the US: available tests and feesBritish Council
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Free official practice

  • Free official IELTS Academic and General Training sample test questions with answers.
    IELTS
    IELTS sample test questions (free practice papers)IELTS (British Council, IDP IELTS, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Used by these careers and colleges

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Sources

Where these facts come from

Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.