English certifications
IELTS: the English test for study and migration
The English test accepted by universities and immigration services in the UK, Canada, Australia and beyond.
At a glance
- Bodies
- British Council, IDP, Cambridge
- Versions
- Academic · General Training · UKVI
- Duration
- About 2 h 45
- Result
- Band from 1 to 9 per skill and overall
- Validity
- 2 years (rule of most institutions)
What is it?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English test created by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It measures 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
There are two versions: IELTS Academic for higher education, and IELTS General Training for migration and work. For a UK visa, you need the “IELTS for UKVI” version.
The papers
Listening
4 recordings, 40 questions, 30 minutes.
Reading
40 questions, 60 minutes. Academic texts (Academic) or everyday and workplace texts (General Training).
Writing
2 tasks, 60 minutes: describe a chart or write a letter, then an argumentative essay.
Speaking
Face-to-face interview with an examiner, 11 to 14 minutes, sometimes on a different day from the written papers.
Who requires it?
- Universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and many other countries (IELTS Academic).
- Immigration to Canada: IRCC accepts IELTS General Training for Express Entry.
- Visas for the UK (IELTS for UKVI), Australia and New Zealand.
- Employers and professional bodies that require a certified level of English.
Where to take it?
In Algeria, IELTS is run by the British Council, with sessions in Algiers and Oran in particular.
Booking is done online on the official IELTS website (ielts.org), which shows dates, centres and the fee in dinars.
IELTS band and CEFR level
Equivalence published by IELTS. It is indicative: IELTS predates the CEFR and some bands sit on the border between two levels.
| IELTS band | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| 8.5–9 | C2 |
| 7.0–8.0 | C1 |
| 5.5–6.5 | B2 |
| 4.0–5.0 | B1 |
IELTS General Training, NCLC / CLB and CEFR
For Express Entry, IRCC only accepts IELTS General Training (not Academic). CLB (in English) and NCLC (in French) are the same scale. Each figure is the minimum to reach in that skill; the CEFR column is indicative.
| CLB / NCLC | CRS points, 1st language (single / with spouse) | CRS points, 2nd language | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | CEFR (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 34 / 32 | 6 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | C1 |
| 9 | 31 / 29 | 6 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | C1 |
| 8 | 23 / 22 | 3 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | B2 |
| 7 | 17 / 16 | 3 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | B2 |
| 6 | 9 / 8 | 1 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | B1 |
| 5 | 6 / 6 | 1 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | B1 |
| 4 | 6 / 6 | 0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | A2–B1 |
What score should I aim for in Canada?
Express Entry (federal skilled workers): CLB 7, i.e. at least 6.0 in each of the 4 skills. Every level above earns points. Check the current table on canada.ca when you apply.
Calculate your Express Entry points
Enter your French scores and, if you have them, your English scores: the calculator gives your CLB / NCLC level per skill and your language points, French bonus included.
Only language points are calculated here. The full CRS score adds age, education, experience and the “skill transferability” combinations. Official IRCC grid dated 2026-11-03.
Our preparation
- Understand the format and scoring of IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC
- Apply section strategies: listening, reading, writing, speaking
- Practise under timed conditions, as on exam day
- Prepare the speaking test with mock interviews
FAQ
Academic or General Training?
Academic to enter university, General Training for migration or work. If in doubt, ask the body that requires the test.
What score should I aim for?
Universities often ask for 6.0 to 7.0 overall. For migration, each programme sets its own minimums per skill.
Can I retake IELTS?
Yes, there is no limit on the number of attempts.
Information checked in November 2026. Formats, dates and fees can change: always confirm with the official body before registering.
GEEK School is a school registered with the commercial register that helps you prepare for international certifications. It does not issue certifications or diplomas, only a certificate of level or attendance bearing the school's stamp, useful to showcase your level.