IELTS guides

IELTS Writing band descriptors explained

A plain-English guide to the four IELTS Writing criteria and what typically separates Band 5, 6, 7 and 8. Learn why Task 2 counts double and how to move up a band.

IELTS Speaking band descriptors explained

What examiners listen for in fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, and how Band 5, 6, 7 and 8 speakers typically differ.

How IELTS scores are calculated

How raw Listening and Reading marks become bands, how Writing and Speaking are assessed, and how the overall band is averaged and rounded.

Writing Task 2 at Band 6, 7 and 8 — one question, three answers

One original opinion question answered three times, at Band 6, 7 and 8, with examiner-style commentary showing exactly what improves at each level.

Writing Task 1 at Band 6, 7 and 8

An invented Academic bar chart described three ways, at Band 6, 7 and 8, with commentary on overview, data selection, vocabulary and grammar.

IELTS Academic or General Training: which do you need?

The two IELTS versions share Listening and Speaking but differ in Reading and Writing. Here is how to tell which one your university or visa requires.

Computer-delivered vs paper-based IELTS

Same test, same scoring, different experience. Compare computer and paper IELTS section by section and decide which format suits you.

What happens on IELTS test day

A step-by-step look at IELTS test day: ID and check-in, what you can bring, the order of sections, breaks and when your Speaking test happens.

IELTS results, remarks (Enquiry on Results) and One Skill Retake

How IELTS results are released, how to request a remark through an Enquiry on Results, and what One Skill Retake is and when it may help.

IELTS for UKVI vs standard IELTS

IELTS for UKVI has the same content as standard IELTS but is needed only for certain UK visa routes. For Malaysia, standard Academic is usually accepted.

How to book IELTS in Bangladesh

A step-by-step guide to booking IELTS in Bangladesh through the two official providers, from choosing your test and city to documents and timing.

IELTS study plans: 1 week, 1 month and 3 months

Three practical IELTS study plans for different timelines, using free practice sets, lessons and a full practice test to track your progress.

Band score targets for Malaysian universities

Typical IELTS ranges for foundation, diploma, bachelor's and master's study in Malaysia, what to do if you are below target, and how to plan.

Articles in IELTS: a, an, the and no article

Learn when to use a, an, the or no article at all, with clear rules for uncountable nouns and general versus specific meaning. Built around the article mistakes Bangladeshi candidates make most often.

Present perfect vs past simple for IELTS

Know when to use has/have done and when to use the past simple, and how to choose the right tense for past, future and mixed Task 1 data.

Subject–verb agreement for IELTS

Stop losing marks on missing or extra -s. Covers each and every, 'the number of' versus 'a number of', collective nouns and long subjects.

Relative clauses: who, which, that and commas

Build complex sentences with who, which, that, whose and where, and learn exactly when a relative clause needs commas.

Conditionals for Task 2 and Speaking Part 3

Use zero, first, second, third and mixed conditionals accurately to discuss causes, results and possibilities in essays and discussion answers.

Passive voice for Task 1 processes and formal writing

Form the passive correctly in every tense, use it to describe processes and maps, and avoid the classic 'was increased' mistake.

Comparatives and superlatives for describing charts

Compare data accurately in Task 1 with correct comparative and superlative forms, twice as ... as, far more, slightly less and by far the highest.

Punctuation that costs marks in IELTS

Fix run-on sentences and comma splices, punctuate however correctly, and use apostrophes without errors in your IELTS Writing.