IELTS Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024

IELTS does not have stringent requirements for eligibility. However, there are a few conditions that need to be satisfied. So, to make it easy for you, let us check the IELTS exam eligibility criteria in detail.

Eligibility criteria

Age requirements

According to the instructions released by the British Council and other regulatory bodies, only candidates above the age of 16 years can attempt the IELTS exam. Even the application form asks for the test taker’s age. There is a section which requires the candidate’s age, where only options above 16 years are listed

The authorities have clearly mentioned that “it is not recommended to people under 16 years of age”.

IELTS Age limit

Many people are confused about the IELTS exam age limit. With the exemption of Canada, there is no upper age-limit for IELTS but the lower limit to take it is 16.

For Canada, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed the change from the previous age limits which was 18-54. The current age limit is from 14 – 64.

Other IELTS exam eligibility requirements:

Passport

The test taker must possess a valid, non-expired passport. This becomes all the more important if the test taker is taking the test outside their own country.

Purpose

The test taker will be eligible to take the exam if he/she is under one of the categories listed below.

• Planning to study in UK/Australia/Canada/New Zealand/USA
• As a medical professional, planning to work or study further in UK/Australia/USA
• Planning to emigrate to Canada/Australia/New Zealand.

Cases where IELTS may be needed:

If the test taker needs admission into a Bachelors Degree course:

• The test taker needs to have completed a senior secondary education level which is equivalent to the secondary education of the foreign country he/she is applying to.
• ·English language test scores.[IELTS can be taken as the English language test]

If the test taker needs admission into a Masters Degree course:

• The test taker needs to have completed a 4-year Bachelor’s degree which is equivalent to the Bachelor’s degree in the country he/she is applying to.
• English language test scores. [IELTS can be taken as the English language test]

If the test taker needs admission into a Doctorate course:

• The test taker needs to have completed a valid Master’s Degree from a recognized university.
• English language test scores. [IELTS can be taken as the English language test]
• Proof of relevant work experience.

Also, the version of IELTS varies based on what the test taker wants to do in a foreign country. IELTS is of two types :

• Academic – Taken generally in situations of studying abroad
• General – Taken generally for work-related purposes

IELTS scores

It varies from 0 to 9. There will be a score for each skill ( Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) and an overall band score which is the average of all. Also, awards and scholarships are given by British Council to test takers who excel in their performance.

Also check : 

• How to get band 8 in IELTS
• IELTS Test dates
• IELTS Test centres
• Universities in Canada accepting IELTS Score 6
• Universities in Australia accepting IELTS Score 6
• Universities in UK accepting IELTS Score 6
• Universities in Canada accepting IELTS Score for MBA
• Universities in Australia accepting IELTS Score for MBA
• Universities in UK accepting IELTS Score for MBA