IELTS Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit & Qualifications Required

Meet IELTS eligibility criteria by being at least 16 years old and possessing valid identification, such as a passport or driving license. Official bodies like IDP, British Council, and Cambridge Assessment English do not enforce strict eligibility rules. For newcomers, IELTS eligibility is the set of criteria that candidates must meet to take the IELTS exam. 

IELTS is a standardized English language proficiency test taken by candidates for study abroad, work and migration purposes. It is required by leading universities and institutions in English speaking countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Candidates must perform well in all 4 modules of IELTS: listening, reading, writing and speaking. With updates in 2025, the IELTS eligibility criteria for Indian students taking the IELTS exam have seen significant changes. Continue reading to know complete information about updated IELTS eligibility criteria in 2025 for Indian students.

Eligibility Criteria for IELTS Exam: Minimum Age Limit

The only IELTS eligibility across the globe, including India, is that a candidate needs to be at least 16 years of age at the time of the exam. Anybody aged 16 or above can take this exam, regardless of their gender, nationality, or background. There are no prerequisites like formal education or an upper age limit set by the conducting bodies. Exceptions are only when a school needs IELTS scores for admission purposes. 

What are the educational qualifications required to take IELTS?

As per IDP (the IELTS conducting body), there is no minimum educational qualification required for the IELTS exam. Since IELTS assesses your proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English, students with or without an academic qualification (10th, 12th, diploma or any degree) can attend IELTS.

What is the minimum IELTS score required by top universities?

The IELTS exam eligibility is entirely separate from the admission guidelines set by foreign universities. Each university establishes its regulations and guidelines for admissions, and candidates are expected to meet these specific requirements along with any other general criteria before admission. However, some top universities may require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 as the overall score, with at least 6.5 in all four sections individually.

IELTS band scores are not standard for every country and university that you applied for. Below are the IELTS eligible countries and related IELTS band scores.

IELTS Eligibility Scores for Top Universities in the USA

S No	University Name	IELTS Score for Undergraduate	IELTS Score for Postgraduate
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	7.0	7.0
2	California Institute of Technology (CalTech)	7.0	7.0
3	Harvard University	7.0	7.0
4	Princeton University	7.0	7.0
5	Yale University	7.0	7.0

IELTS Eligibility Scores for Top Universities in Canada

S No	University Name	IELTS Score for Undergraduate	IELTS Score for Postgraduate
1	University of Toronto	6.5	7
2	University of British Columbia	6.5	6.5
3	McGill University	6.5	6.5
4	McMaster University	6.5	6.5
5	University of Alberta	6.5	6.5

IELTS Eligibility Scores for Top Universities in the UK

S No	University Name	IELTS Score for Undergraduate	IELTS Score for Postgraduate
1	University of Oxford	7.0	7.5
2	University of Cambridge	7.0	7.0
3	Imperial College London	7.0	7.0
4	University College London	6.5	6.5
5	University of Edinburgh	6.5	6.5

IELTS Eligibility Scores for Top Universities in Australia

S No	University Name	IELTS Score for Undergraduate	IELTS Score for Postgraduate
1.	Australian National University	6.5	6.5
2.	University of Melbourne	6.5	6.5
3.	The University of Sydney	6.5	6.5
4.	University of New South Wales	6	6
5.	Monash University	6.5	6.5
6.	University of Western Australia	6.5	6.5

IELTS Eligibility Scores for Top Universities in New Zealand

S No	University Name	IELTS Score for Undergraduate	IELTS Score for Postgraduate
1.	Massey University	6	6.5
2.	University of Auckland	6	6.5
3.	University of Otago	6	6.5
4.	Victoria University of Wellington	6.5	6.5
5.	University of Waikato	6.5	6.5
6.	Auckland University of Technology (AUT)	6	6.5

IELTS Exam Eligibility for One-Skill Retake

• You must have completed a full IELTS test at an authorized test centre. 
• Your IELTS full test must be computer-delivered, not paper-based.
• You must apply for the IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of taking the test.

The above suitability allows you to retake the IELTS test (any one part).

IELTS Exam Eligibility for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

• You must be at least 16 years of age.
• Your test centre must offer IELTS UKVI (Academic), IELTS UKVI (General Training) and IELTS Life Skills testing. 

Eligibility for IELTS Exam in India - Test Pattern:

The IELTS syllabus is divided into four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.  The total exam duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. If you take IELTS computer-based, the Speaking section will be taken on the same day.

Conclusion

Overall, the IELTS eligibility requirement is that candidates must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid passport. This exam is made accessible to a wide range of candidates, irrespective of age, gender, race, nationality, or religion. It reflects the diverse purposes and global reach of the IELTS exam, from study and work to migration in English-speaking countries.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the IELTS exam?

Anyone who is a minimum age of 16, irrespective of nationality, gender, and background, is eligible for the IELTS exam. This IELTS eligibility is based on the consideration that the test content and its intended purposes such as higher education, professional registration, and migration, are more relevant to individuals at or above this age. 

2. What are the entry requirements for IELTS?

An overall IELTS band score of 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (speaking, listening, reading, writing) is an entry requirement for a Student Visa.

3. What is the maximum age limit for the IELTS exam?

There is no maximum age limit set for the IELTS exam.

4. What is the minimum age for taking the IELTS exam?

The minimum age for taking the IELTS exam is sixteen (16). 

5. What is the minimum educational qualification for IELTS?

There is no minimum educational qualification required for IELTS. Whether you’re a school student or a PhD scholar, you can take IELTS if you’re 16 years old or above.

6. Can a 12 year old take the IELTS?

No. A 12-year-old cannot take the IELTS. Test-takers aged at least 16 years are eligible to take the IELTS exam. 

7. What is the 12th percentage required for IELTS?

The 12th-grade percentage is not considered an eligibility criterion by IDP. So you are eligible to attempt the IELTS exam no matter what grade you had in your twelfth standard.

8. What is the IELTS eligibility for retakers?

The IELTS eligibility for retakers is a minimum age of 16 years. 

9. Can individuals below 16 years be considered IELTS eligible candidates?

Yes. Individuals below 16 years are considered IELTS eligible candidates if their circumstances necessitate it and provide parental consent for audio/video recording during the test. For instance, younger learners aged 14 or 15 with adequate English proficiency can take IELTS and demonstrate their language abilities for various purposes, such as early admission to international educational programs.

10. Why did IDP set the age at 16 years to be eligible for IELTS?

IDP has set the age at 16 years to be eligible for IELTS to ensure candidates have academic readiness to undertake the test effectively. For Indian students, it conveniently aligns with the completion of 12th standard education and the commencement of their study abroad journey.

11. Can I take the IELTS exam before 12th grade?

Yes. You can take the IELTS exam before 12th grade if you plan to pursue higher education abroad immediately or wish to transfer to a foreign school for your 11th and 12th grades.

12. Can I take the IELTS after my 10th standard?

Yes. You can take the IELTS exam after your 10th standard, provided you have completed 16 years of age. And, since the IELTS score validity is of 2 years, candidates who take the IELTS exam in Class 10 might need to retake the exam after completing their Class 12 if they plan to study abroad.

13. Who can take IELTS?

IELTS is used around the world for academic and general purposes. If you want to study abroad in an English-speaking country, especially for Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate, PhD or professional courses (MBA), you can take IELTS Academic. If you want to work overseas and to pursue vocational courses in a foreign country, you can take IELTS General Training. Surprisingly, both non-native and native English speakers may need to take the IELTS based on their needs and goals.

Candidates with the above intentions can take the IELTS test. The only criterion is your age—not less than 16 years old while applying for the test. However, there’s no higher age limit for IELTS Academic or General Training tests. 

14. How do I take the IELTS test?

• When you’re confident, register for IELTS on the IDP website
• Select a date and time convenient for you
• Choose the nearby IELTS test center
• Pay the fees and confirm your IELTS test registration

If you can’t take the test at the registered time, you can either cancel or reschedule the test, provided an administration fee is charged. However, you will get a refund if you cancel or reschedule earlier than 5 weeks (35 days) with a valid reason (like a medical emergency).