IELTS, prepared properly.
Academic for study, General Training for work and migration. Find your level with a free diagnostic, then prepare for every section with feedback from a tutor.
Who this is for
- Students who need IELTS Academic for university
- Workers who need IELTS General Training for a job or visa
- Anyone who needs a higher band in one section, often Writing or Speaking
What preparation includes
Free diagnostic
A practice test across all four sections to find your band and your weak areas.
Writing feedback
Your essays marked against the IELTS criteria, with clear notes on what to fix.
Speaking practice
Practice interviews with a tutor, in the format of the real test.
Listening and Reading strategy
Question types, timing and how to avoid common traps.
Full mock tests
Timed practice under test conditions before your real test.
Registration help
Choosing the right test type, date and centre, and sending your results.
How it works
- 01Free diagnosticFind your current band.
- 02Confirm your targetAcademic or General Training, and the band your institution or visa needs.
- 03Classes and practiceFocused on your weak sections. [Schedules to be confirmed.]
- 04Mock testsFull tests with feedback.
- 05Book and take the testWith the British Council or IDP.
Before you book
- Academic or General Training: confirm which one you need
- Your target band, and any minimum for each section
- Whether your visa route needs a specific version of the test
- Your passport for registration and test day
What it costs
The diagnostic is free. Course fees: [to be confirmed by Urban Careers].
The IELTS test fee is paid to the British Council or IDP.
What we will and won’t promise
- No one can guarantee a band score. We tell you honestly whether your target is realistic by your test date.
- If you are not ready, we tell you to move your test date rather than lose your fee.
The four sections
| Section | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Listening | Understanding recordings of conversations and talks |
| Reading | Reading passages and answering questions; Academic and General Training use different texts |
| Writing | Two tasks; Academic describes data, General Training writes a letter, and both write an essay |
| Speaking | A face-to-face interview with an examiner |
- SectionListeningWhat it testsUnderstanding recordings of conversations and talks
- SectionReadingWhat it testsReading passages and answering questions; Academic and General Training use different texts
- SectionWritingWhat it testsTwo tasks; Academic describes data, General Training writes a letter, and both write an essay
- SectionSpeakingWhat it testsA face-to-face interview with an examiner
Questions people ask
Academic is usually for university study; General Training for work and migration. Your institution or visa route decides.
Most institutions accept results up to two years old. Check with yours.
IELTS offers a One Skill Retake for some test versions. [Availability in Kenya to be confirmed.]
Test dates are set by the British Council and IDP. We help you pick one that leaves time to prepare.
Related
- For studentsTest preparationWhich test you need, and preparation for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, the Duolingo English Test and the SAT.Read more about test preparation
- For studentsTOEFL iBT preparationPreparation for the TOEFL iBT, accepted by many universities, especially in North America.Read more about toefl ibt preparation
- For studentsStudy abroadFrom choosing a course to arriving on campus: shortlisting, applications, scholarships guidance, English tests and the student visa.Read more about study abroad
Find your IELTS band today
A free diagnostic shows where you stand.