● English test designed to help you work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language.
● IELTS is designed to mimic everyday situations and English.
● There are three types of IELTS: Academic, General Training, and Life Skills.
● Academic is preferable for higher education and professional needs; General Training is suitable for those wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country or who will train or study abroad below the undergraduate level; and Life Skills might be required for visa purposes, intending to demonstrate some English proficiency.
What is IELTS UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)?
● Version of IELTS you can submit as part of your UKVI visa applications.
● Test content is the same as IELTS Academic or General Training but UKVI tests have to be taken at test centres approved by the UK Home Office.
How is the IELTS structured?
● IELTS Academic and General Training are composed of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
● Total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
● IELTS Life Skills is only composed of Listening and Speaking.
How is the IELTS taken and scored?
● IELTS Academic can be taken at a test centre on paper or computer.
● Primarily offered at British Council and IDP (Australian) locations
● While the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are taken all in the same session without any breaks, the Speaking test has to be scheduled (up to a week before or after the other tests.)
● Most universities require a score of minimum 6.5 out of 9.0 in each section, especially Reading and Writing.
| Test Section | Duration | No of Questions | Section Content | Marks |
| Listening | 30 minutes + 10 minutes to transfer your answers | 40 | 4 recordings and 10 questions on each recording | 40, converted to a score out of 9 |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 40 | Three Reading texts intended for non-experts and a variety of questions for each passage | 40, converted to a score out of 9 |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 | Task 1: Summarizing and explaining given data, Task 2: Writing an essay | 9 (band score) (Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.) |
| Speaking | 11-14 minutes | Variable | An oral interview with an examiner in 3 parts | 9 (band score) |
How can HBA support students with IELTS?
HBA supports students preparing for IELTS in the following ways:
● Tutoring from highly qualified tutors across all subjects.
● Timed mock tests administered at the office for the most realistic exam simulation experience.
Useful Links
Official Website: https://ielts.org/
The TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an internationally recognised English language test used by universities and institutions in countries such as the UK, the United States, Canada, and across Europe.
It assesses a student’s ability to use and understand English in an academic environment through four key skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
From January 2026, the TOEFL iBT uses an updated format designed to reflect modern academic English and real-life communication more closely.
The structure of the test remains based on four sections, but the content and delivery have been revised.
Test Structure
| Section | Approximate Time | Section Content |
| Reading | 35 minutes | Academic texts with questions that may adapt in difficulty |
| Listening | 36 minutes | Lectures and conversations based on academic contexts |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | Tasks that involve expressing and supporting ideas verbally |
| Writing | 29 minutes | Written responses based on academic topics and discussions |
Total test time: approximately 2 hours
Adaptive Elements
Parts of the Reading and Listening sections may adjust in difficulty depending on the test taker’s responses.
Focus on Academic Communication
Tasks are designed to reflect situations students may encounter in academic settings, such as lectures, discussions, and written assignments.
Shorter Test Duration
The overall test time has been reduced while maintaining coverage of all four language skills.
Updated Scoring System
Scores are reported on a 1 to 6 scale, with half-band increments (e.g. 4.5, 5.0, 5.5). Each section receives a separate score, and the overall result is an average of these.
The TOEFL iBT can be taken:
● At an authorised test centre
● At home (depending on availability and requirements)
The test is computer-based in both formats.
Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) is scored individually on a 1–6 scale.
The final score represents the average of all section scores.
During a transition period, some score reports may also include an equivalent score on the previous 0–120 scale.
Preparation typically focuses on:
● Developing academic reading and listening skills
● Practising structured speaking responses
● Improving clarity and organisation in writing
● Becoming familiar with timing and question formats
Regular practice and exposure to academic English are key components of effective preparation.
Useful Links
Official Website: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html