IELTS, International English Language Testing System
IELTS®, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to measure the language ability of candidates who want to study or work in areas where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council, and IDP:IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment.
IELTS uses a unique nine-point scoring system to measure and report test scores in a consistent manner. Candidates receive scores for each language skill (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) and an Overall Band Score on a Band Scale from 1 to 9.
IELTS is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. It is also recognized by professional organizations, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
Links to sections below :
TEST DATES
Test dates and locations are subject to change. Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are administered in the morning, followed by Speaking interviews in the afternoon. When you check-in on the morning of the test, you will receive your interview time. Interview times cannot be scheduled in advance.
| 2008 Dates | Type Offered |
| July 12 | Academic and General |
| August 30 | Academic and General |
| October 11 | Academic and General |
| December 4 | Academic only |
Additional dates will be released periodically. Please check back frequently.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Step 1:
Open and review IELTS
Information for Candidates
Print and complete the Application Form
Required identification
Step 2:
Submit your completed application packet (application form, test fee and copy of your passport) by one of the following methods: (NOTE: Incomplete packets will not be processed)
- IN PERSON to:
UW Testing Center
440 Schmitz Hall
1400 NE Campus Pkwy.
Seattle, Washington
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and l:00 pm to 5:00 pm (closed during noon hour) - BY MAIL to:
UW Testing Center
440 Schmitz Hall (Box 355837)
1400 NE Campus Pkwy.
Seattle, WA 98195
Do NOT fax your application to the IELTS Testing Center. Only original applications will be processed.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
The original IELTS Application Form, test fee, and required identification must be received by the Testing Center no later than one week BEFORE the test date. The Testing Center reserves the right to close a test date when all spaces are full. Registrations which cannot be accommodated on the first requested test date will be assigned to the candidate's "second choice" test date at that center. Applications cannot be transferred between centers.
REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION
A valid passport is REQUIRED and is the ONLY acceptable form of identification.
On the application for Testing, candidates must
- Supply a valid passport number and
- Attach a scanned copy or photocopy of the passport page containing the photo, number, and signature.
Passports are REQUIRED on test day. Be sure it is valid and it is the one you included in your application packet. You will need a second form of identification with your picture. Your passport is the only official proof of identity that is accepted in the United States. Driver's license, student ID, and other picture ID is used as secondary proof of identification only.
Candidates who do not bring their passport will not be permitted to take the test.
NOTE: Please be advised that if you have sent your passport to an institution for renewal or other reasons, it is your responsibility to ensure you have your passport with you on test day.
FEES
Payment of the US $160 Application Fee must be in the form of a money order or cashiers check made payable to the University of Washington. Personal checks, credit cards, and debit cards will NOT be accepted.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
Your test registration will be confirmed by email using the email address you provide on the IELTS Application Form. Please check your email regularly. If an email address is not provided, confirmation will be made by fax or regular mail. The confirmation will include information about registration time, test location, and test type.
TEST DAY
Test day check-in begins at 8:15 am. Testing starts at 9:00 am. Late arrivals will NOT be admitted.
You will only be allowed to bring the following items into the testing room:
1) two (2) non-mechanical pencils ,
2) a clear water bottle (label removed)
3) your passport
4) prescription eyeglasses without a case
CELL PHONES, bags, backpacks, purses, wallets, food, cases, books, papers, MP3 players, pens, mechanical pencils, etc. will NOT be allowed in the testing room. Those items not allowed must be put into supervised storage prior to testing. It is best that you NOT bring these items with you at all. Additional sharpened pencils will be provided as needed. Please note that personal items left in supervised storage are left at your own risk. IELTS and the University of Washington assume no responsibility for lost or stolen items.
Please dress comfortably. Once the morning exams have begun, you will not be allowed to leave the testing room unattended. You will not be allowed to access the supervised storage until the end of the test. There are no breaks included in the testing times outlined below:
8:15 am |
Report to the test location |
8:15 am - 8:50 am |
Registration and seat assignment |
9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Listening, Reading, and Writing Tests |
After noon |
Speaking Test |
NOTE: Speaking Tests are 15-20 minutes long and are scheduled in the same order that applications are received.
LATE ARRIVALS
Candidates who arrive after the testing session has begun will NOT be allowed to take the test that day. They may re-apply for another test date but must pay an additional test fee.
CANCELLATIONS, TRANSFER OF TEST DATE, REFUNDS
Requests for cancellations or change of test date must be made in writing and received at the Testing Center five (5) weeks BEFORE the scheduled test date. Cancellations made before the 5-week cut-off date will receive a refund of test fee minus a 20 percent processing fee. Cancellations or requests for a different date made AFTER the 5-week cut-off date will NOT be eligible for refund.
IELTS TEST RESULTS
The Test Report Form (TRF) will be mailed to the candidate and the designated institutions two weeks after the test date. Test Report Forms are valid for two (2) years.
NOTE: Test Centers are not allowed to give test results over the phone, fax, or email to either the candidate or the receiving institutions.
Each candidate will automatically receive one Test Report Form. A candidate may request up to five (5) additional institutional Test Report Forms within one month of taking the IELTS Exam. More than five institutional TRFs are available for a charge of $15 per TRF. These are mailed directly by the IELTS Testing Center to the institution(s) of your choice.
To request additional TRFs one month or more after taking the test, please send a written request to the Testing Center. You must include your candidate number, Testing Center, and test date. The fee for these later additional TRFs is $15 each.