The IELTS is an increasingly recognized English exam. This test is used to assess the English level of people wishing to continue studying or working in an English-speaking environment. Today, more than 10 000 organizations, public and private, accept IELTS.
You are interested in taking the IELTS in the USA but need to know more about the process?
In this post, we are going to take you through all the information about :
- the type of exams you can register for
- procedure to book your exam
- locations where you can take the test
- dates of the exam
- centers where you can register
- procedure to postpone
- procedure to cancel
- procedure in case of absence
Let’s jump right into it!
What types of IELTS exams can I register for in the USA?
We are going to go over all the IELTS exams that you can register for in the USA.
Academic or General Training
IELTS Academic generally prepares students for an academic future. Suitable for people aiming to study abroad, it is perfect for you if you wish to continue your studies in a foreign university.
If a university requires you to pass a certain level of IELTS to enter, it is the Academic test that you will have to take. It assesses your English skills at an academic level. This is the older version of the two IELTS.
However, if you are a student and wish to go abroad for an internship, it is advisable that you take the IELTS General Training.
IELTS General Training defines and tests your abilities and knowledge in an English-speaking environment. It is mainly chosen by people who plan to work abroad and often used for professional purposes, as companies appreciate this kind of diploma. It is recognized by many institutions around the world. A good IELTS General Training score will prove to your future employer that you have a good knowledge of oral and written English.
In some countries, passing the IELTS General Training is mandatory if you wish to receive a residence visa. This is the case for Canada and Australia.
These tests are specific to each person’s ambitions. The IELTS Academic will be the best option for students and the IELTS General Training the best for professionals. There is no difference in level, only the covered topics vary. Your personal projects will determine your choice, these two versions are equally valid and both aim to assess your level in English.
These tests include 4 sections : reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Life Skills
IELTS Life Skills is made for you if you need to prove your speaking and listening skills in English at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Levels A1, A2 or B1.
It is designed for UK visa application as proof of skills. If you need to prove your English proficiency for UK Visa & Immigration, you could consider taking the IELTS Life Skills exam.
This exam only includes speaking and listening sections.
UKVI
The only difference of IELTS UKVI with the other IELTS tests is that this exam is approved by the UK Home office if you wish to work, study or migrate.
Paper-based
If you choose this option, you will respond in writing to the oral and written comprehension and written expression tests. The oral expression section will be conducted face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner.
If you have specific needs, you should go for the paper-based test.
Computer-based
You will take the oral and written comprehension and the written expression tests on a computer at your local examination center. The speaking test will always be conducted face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner, as this is the best way to assess your speaking skills.
IELTS Booking USA: All Possible Ways to Register for the Exam
There are several websites you can register on to take the IELTS exam but the process is basically always the same :
- create an account (IELTS login USA)
- select the type of IELTS test you want to take
- find a test location center
- choose your IELTS exam dates (usa)
- complete the online registration form
- submit payment
Then you will receive a confirmation by email of your registration and payment around 5 to 10 days before the test date giving you the time and venue address.
You will also have access to the free online course via an automatic email right after your booking.
You could register on ieltsregistration or takeielts.britishcouncil websites.
In which locations can I Take the IELTS test in the United States?
You can take the IELTS test in the following locations : Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Boston (MA), Chicago (IL), Cincinnati (OH), Cleveland (OH), Columbus (OH), Dallas (TX), Fayetteville (AR), Fort Lauderdale, Fort Worth (TX), Grand Rapids (MI), Houston (TX), Kansas City (KS), Los Angeles Metro Area, Montgomery (AL), Nashville-Murfreesboro (TN), NYC Metro Area, NYC Metro Area LSI, Philadelphia Metro Area, Pittsburgh (PA), Portland (OR), Purchase, Sacramento, San Antonio (TX), San Diego (CA), San Francisco Metro Area, Tampa (FL), Washington DC Metro Area.
Some locations might not be available depending on the date you want to take the test.
IELTS exams can be organised in colleges, universities, test centers, private centers or language schools.
IELTS Test Dates in the USA: How Often Can I Take the Exam?
You can take the exam from June to December, depending on the location you choose, on Thursday and Saturday, and as many times as you like.
How to find the IELTS exam center in the USA nearest to you?
All the IELTS exam centers in the USA are registered on the ielts.org website. You can select your country then the state you want to take it in and book directly from there. In the list, you are also notified if you can take the computer-based IELTS test in a particular center.
Requesting To Postpone IELTS Application And Procedure?
If you choose to take the paper-based IELTS and want to postpone your exam, you need to send your request more than 5 weeks before the test date and you will have to pay the transfer fee of 25%. Same procedure if you want to transfer from paper to computer-based and if you need to reschedule because of a medical condition.
If you choose to take the computer-based IELTS and want to postpone your exam, you need to send your request more than 3 weeks before the test date and you will have to pay the transfer fee of 25%. Same procedure if you want to transfer from computer to paper-based and if you need to reschedule because of a medical condition.
How To Request A Cancellation Of My IELTS Application ?
If you chose to take the IELTS test on paper and want to cancel your exam, you have 5 weeks prior to the test date to send your cancellation request. Then you will be refunded, except for the administrative fee of 25%. If you exceed the 5 weeks before the test date, you will not be refunded.
If you chose to take the IELTS test on a computer and want to cancel your exam you have 3 weeks prior to the test date to send your cancellation request. You will also be refunded except for the administrative fee of 25%. If you exceed the 3 weeks before the test date, you will not be refunded.
If you cancel because of travel restrictions, you will get the refund of 50% of the test fee if the center is notified prior to the IELTS dates (usa) and if you can prove the travel restriction you are facing.
Any request for refund must be submitted to the test center you registered at.
What happens if you are absent at the test? Can you get a refund?
If you are absent at the test, you need to provide proof of inability to attend within 5 days of the test date if you chose the paper-based IELTS and within 2 days if you chose the computer-based IELTS.
Any request for refund must be submitted to the test center you registered at.
GlobalExam: The Best Online Solution For Your IELTS Preparation
By choosing the online training of GlobalExam, you will :
- be able to evaluate yourself in real conditions and find out your score with practice exams
- be able to train, learn from your mistakes and improve quickly with our corrected exercises
- have the opportunity to choose the course that suits your goal and stay motivated with our personalized trainings
- be able to track your progress with our progress tracker.
What Can GlobalExam Offer You?
You can take a full IELTS mock test, with no obligation, to give yourself an overview of our database of thousands of typical exercises. For each of the 4 tests of this English test (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing), you have access to free training.
To do this, all you need to do is create an account on GlobalExam, which will take you only 30 seconds!
The Free option gives you access to 4 type exercises and 250 revision sheets. Our free offer allows you to practice IELTS on GlobalExam, and see examples of IELTS sample questions or the structure of the test. You need to register online to have access to the free version.
The Premium option gives you access to 8 mock exams, 2600 corrected questions, 84 hours of practice, 3 personalized trainings, 250 revision sheets and an access to statistics.
You have the choice for self-paced training with a one-week, one-month, three-month, or one-year online subscription. We recommend the three-month subscription, which is usually the most effective in preparing for the test.
