IELTS — International English Language Testing System
The world’s most widely accepted English test for study, work and migration.
IELTS is accepted by more than 12,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, employers and immigration authorities in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Europe. If you are applying for a study visa, skilled migration or professional registration, IELTS is usually the safest, most widely recognised choice.
The test measures four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking — and reports each on a 0–9 band scale, along with an overall band. Most universities ask for an overall 6.0–7.0; immigration programmes like Canada Express Entry or Australia’s skilled visas convert your bands into points, so every half-band matters.
Writing is the section where most South Asian candidates lose their target band. It is also the hardest to self-assess: you cannot mark your own essay against the official descriptors. That is exactly the problem BandVisa solves.
IELTS at a glance
Types of IELTS
For university admission and professional registration. Writing Task 1 describes a chart, table or diagram; Task 2 is an essay.
For work visas and migration (UK, Canada, Australia, NZ). Writing Task 1 is a letter; Task 2 is an essay.
The same test taken at a UK-government-approved centre, required for some UK visa routes.
Retake just one skill (e.g. Writing) instead of the whole test — available in many countries on computer-based IELTS.
Who should choose IELTS
- ✓UK student and work visas (widest acceptance)
- ✓Canada study permits and Express Entry
- ✓Australia and New Zealand study or skilled migration
- ✓Anyone who wants one test accepted almost everywhere
How BandVisa helps with IELTS
BandVisa gives you full AI-graded IELTS writing practice today: real Task 1 (Academic and General) and Task 2 prompts, exam timing, and examiner-style grading on all four official criteria — Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy — with line-by-line corrections and a model answer for every task. Free to start.
Create a free account →IELTS — common questions
What IELTS band do I need for a UK student visa? ⌄
Most UK universities ask for an overall 6.0–6.5 with no skill below 5.5–6.0, but requirements vary by course. Foundation routes accept lower bands; medicine and law often ask for 7.0+. Always confirm with your university’s offer letter.
Is IELTS Academic or General Training right for me? ⌄
Choose Academic if you are applying to a university or for professional registration. Choose General Training for work visas and permanent-residence migration to Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the UK.
How is IELTS Writing scored? ⌄
Two examiners can mark your writing against four criteria: Task Achievement/Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Each is scored 0–9 and averaged. BandVisa grades your practice essays against these same criteria.
How fast can I improve my writing band? ⌄
Most candidates who practise 2–3 timed tasks a week with detailed feedback improve 0.5–1.0 band within 4–8 weeks. The key is feedback: writing without correction just rehearses your mistakes.