Candidates aged 16 or above are eligible to appear for the IELTS exam irrespective of their gender, nationality, or background, as authorised by the IDP. No age limit has been set by the IELTS administrator (IDP or British Council); however, it is not recommended for candidates below 16 years. But if they wish, they can take the test as well.

There are no IELTS eligibility criteria set by IDP, the conducting body of IELTS. Any candidate can attempt the IELTS IDP exam (both academic and general training)  who wishes to pursue higher studies abroad or wants to work abroad. Nevertheless, the eligibility criteria set by the educational institution or organisation should always be checked by the candidates to which they are going to apply. Moreover, a majority of the esteemed educational institutes across the world require an IELTS total score of 7.0 bands with section scores of 6.5 bands for IELTS exam eligibility. There are no 12th score requirements set by IELTS IDP for taking IELTS. Candidates can take the IELTS exam irrespective of the marks they scored in the 12th standard.

IELTS Minimum Score for Top Universities

The IELTS minimum score is 1, since IELTS results are reported from band 1 to 9. The lowest score, or IELTS passing marks, on this test has no bar. Candidates looking for admission to universities abroad require an IELTS band 6 and above that is regarded as an IELTS eligibility score. However, following an IELTS minimum score bar is required for candidates for specific programmes like MS or MBA in the USA and immigration to the UK, Australia, and Canada. Moreover, the below-mentioned table also highlights the IELTS minimum requirement for Canadian universities. Moreover, the IELTS minimum requirements for Canadian universities have also been highlighted in the mentioned table.

IELTS Minimum Score for UK Universities:

There are possibilities that the minimum IELTS for different countries might differ. Below is a table highlighting the IELTS minimum score for UK universities.

IELTS Minimum Score for US Universities:-

Below is a table highlighting IELTS minimum score for US Universities:

IELTS Minimum Score for Australian Universities:

Below is a table highlighting the IELTS minimum score for Australian universities. 

IELTS Minimum Score Canadian Universities

Below is a table highlighting IELTS minimum score for Canadian Universities :

IELTS for Special Requirements

Every effort is made by IELTS test centres to make arrangements for test takers with accessibility requirements. To ensure that the language ability of all test takers is assessed fairly and objectively, IELTS provides an extensive service for test takers who have special requirements, including specific learning difficulties, hearing difficulties, visual difficulties, medical conditions, or infant feeding.

If you are required to make special arrangements, e.g., a modified version of IELTS or extra time, the test centre must be given six weeks’ notice by you.

Special arrangements include the following:

• Braille papers
• Extra time for medical conditions or infant feeding
• A special listening CD with necessary stops and pauses
• Expanded print or speaking task cards in Braille
• Lip-reading version of the listening test.

Please contact the local test centre as early as possible if you have special necessities that may require a modified IELTS test version. Visual Difficulties If you are unable to see, partially sighted, or have a problem seeing, we may assist you in taking your IELTS.

Hearing or speaking difficulties A listening and a speaking test are included in the IELTS test. If you have difficulty hearing and speaking, we may assist you in taking your IELTS. Learning Difficulties If you are going through specific learning difficulties, like dyslexia, we may assist you in taking your IELTS.