Breemic Iboard International

IELTS Course

Laern about the IELTS course.

What is the IELTS test?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s leading English language proficiency test, trusted by millions of candidates globally. Designed to assess your full range of English skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—it provides a comprehensive evaluation of your ability to communicate effectively in academic, professional, and everyday settings.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses the English language proficiency of individuals aiming to study or work in environments where English is the primary language of communication. It employs a nine-band scoring system, ranging from non-user (Band 1) to expert (Band 9), to clearly measure language ability.Recognized worldwide, IELTS is accepted by 130+ countries, including universities, employers, immigration authorities, and professional bodies.

IELTS was co-created by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, ensuring a fair and reliable evaluation of English skills.Breemic Iboard International in Eldoret, Kenya offers IELTS registration and training services, helping candidates prepare for and access this important English proficiency test.


Which IELTS Test Is Right For You?

IELTS offers two main test types, each designed for different purposes:

1. IELTS Academic

Ideal for those who want to:
✔ Pursue higher education (university or postgraduate studies) in an English-speaking country
✔ Join a professional organization (e.g., medical, engineering, or teaching registration)

2. IELTS General Training

Perfect for candidates who plan to:
✔ Study below university level (e.g., high school or vocational courses)
✔ Work or undertake work-related training in an English-speaking country
✔ Migrate to countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK

Both tests assess your Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills with the same scoring system (Band 1 to Band 9).

IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The IELTS for UKVI (Academic) is the official UK government-approved version of the test required for university admission and student visa applications. You must take this specific test if your chosen UK educational institution or visa application requires an IELTS certificate that meets UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.

IELTS for UKVI (General Training)

Take this UK government-approved test if you’re applying for UK work, study (below degree level), or settlement visas.

IELTS Life Skills A1

Take this test if you need to prove your English Speaking and Listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for ‘family of a settled person’ visas.

IELTS Life Skills B1 

Take this test if you need to prove your English Speaking and Listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.


The Test Formats

IELTS Academic Test – For Higher Education & Professional Registration

  • Test Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • 4 Sections: Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking
  • Purpose: Assesses academic English proficiency for university-level study or professional work in English-speaking environments.
  • Venue: Official British Council test centers

Who Should Take This Test?

  • Students applying for undergraduate/postgraduate programs worldwide
  • UK Tier 4 Student Visa applicants (at approved universities)
  • Professionals registering with organizations in English-speaking countries

Test Options:

  • Paper-based or computer-delivered format which are Conducted at official British Council test centers

IELTS General Training Test

Purpose:
Prove your practical English skills for everyday life, work, and migration in English-speaking environments.

Who Should Take This Test?
✔ Study or train below degree level
✔ Work or pursue vocational training abroad
✔ Emigrate to an English-speaking country
✔ Advance your career in your home country

Test Details:

  • Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Format: 4 sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
  • Venue: Official British Council test centers

Test Options:

  1. Paper-Based:
    • Speaking test may be scheduled on the same day or within a week (you’ll be notified in advance)
  2. Computer-Delivered:
    • Flexible Speaking test scheduling

Both formats are equally recognized and assess the same practical English skills.

IELTS test format

SECTIONTIME LIMITQUESTIONSTEST FORMATTASK TYPESSKILLS TESTED
LISTENING30 Minutes40 Questions (4 recordings – 10 questions per recording)You will listen to 4 recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.
 
  Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
 
  Recording 2 – a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
 
  Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
 
  Recording 4 – a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.
– Multiple choice
  – Sentence completion
  – Matching
  – Plan/map/diagram labelling
  – Form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion
– Evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information.
  – Opinions and attitudes of speakers.
  – The purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.
READING60 Minutes40 Questions– Tests your reading comprehension.
  – This may include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.
– Multiple choice
  – Identifying information
  – Identifying writer’s views or claims
  – Matching information
  – Matching headings
  – Matching features
  – Matching sentence endings
  – Sentence completion
  – Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion
  – Diagram label completion
  – Short-answer questions
  * If you’re taking the Academic version, you will read 3 passages. The General Training version contains 3 sections. Section 1 may contain two or three short texts or several shorter texts. Section two comprises two texts. In section 3, there is one long text.
 
– In General Training, you are being tested on “life reading”, the ability to understand extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.
  – These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
  – Academic reading ability is also tested in General training.
  – In IELTS Academic, you are being tested on your ability to comprehend academic and educational passages.
 
WRITING60 Minutes2 Writing Tasks– In Academic writing, you will have 2 tasks – In task 1, you will be required to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in your own words. – You will need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes.
  – In task 2, you will be required to respond to a point of view or argument or problem and here you will need to write 250 words in about 40 minutes.
 
  – In General Training, there are also 2 writing tasks to complete.
  – In task 1, you will be required to respond to a situation, for example, by writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation.
  – You will be given 20 minutes to write about 150 words.
  – In task 2, you will be required to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem in less than 250 words and 40 minutes.
– In Academic writing, you will have 2 tasks – In task 1, you will be required to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in your own words.
  – In task 2, you will be required to respond to a point of view or argument or problem.
  – In General Training, there are also 2 writing tasks to complete.
  – In task 1, you will be required to respond to a situation, for example, by writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation.
  – In task 2, you will be required to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
– The focus for IELTS Academic Writing is purely academic.
  – IELTS Academic writing tests your ability to write a short source-based academic essay (the source is the graph, table, chart or diagram).
  – It also tests your ability to write an academic-style opinion essay.
  – The opinion essay is also tested on the IELTS GT.
  – Additionally, on the IELTS General, you will be tested on a life skill by asking you to write a letter to a friend or colleague.
SPEAKING11 – 14 Minutes3 Parts to the test– The Speaking test is the shortest section of the test.
  – It assesses your use of spoken English and is broken into 3 parts.
  – Every test is recorded. – It consists of an oral interview between the test taker and the examiner.
 
  Part 1 – The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself, and a range of familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests.
  – This part lasts between four and five minutes.
 
  Part 2 – This requires you to speak on a topic in what is called the “long turn”. You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes.
  – The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
 
  Part 3 – You will be asked further questions about the topic in part 2.
  – This will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues.
  – It lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
– IELTS Speaking, mostly focuses on life skills.
  – The interview focuses on light personal conversation.
  – It’s the kind of talk you will have with many different people when you work or study in the English speaking world. – There is also an academic component, the “long turn” in part 2 which is similar to the kind of short speech you might be given in a university communications course.
– Fluency & coherence
  – Lexical resource – range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed.
  – Grammatical range and accuracy.
  – Pronunciation.


IELTS test cost in Kenya?

TESTDESCRIPTIONFEE
IELTS AcademicTake this test if you want to:
  >study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level
  >apply for Tier 4 Student Visa at a university that is a Tier 4 Sponsor in the UK
 > work in a professional organization in an English speaking country
KES 38,760
IELTS General TrainingTake this test if you would like to:
  > train or study at below degree level
  > work or undertake work related training in an English speaking country
  > emigrate to an English speaking country
KES 38,760
IELTS for UKVI (Academic)Take this test if the university or organization you are applying to has requested that you take the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) testKES 38,760
IELTS for UKVI (General Training)Take this test if you want to migrate to the UK to work or study below degree levelKES 38,760
IELTS Life Skills A1Take this test if you need to prove your English Speaking and Listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for ‘family of a settled person’ visasKES 30,000
IELTS Life Skills B1Take this test if you need to prove your English Speaking and Listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenshipKES 30,000

IELTS Registration Requirements (Kenya)

What You Need to Register

  1. Valid ID (National ID or Passport)
    • Names must match your registration form
    • Bring the same ID on test day
  2. Test Type
    • Confirm if you need Academic or General Training IELTS
  3. Payment
    • Follow the payment instructions during registration

After You Register

You will receive 3 important emails:

  1. Test Confirmation
    • Test date, venue address & start time
  2. Speaking Test Details
    • May be on the same day OR up to 7 days before/after
  3. Free Online Course & Reference Number
    • Access code for IELTS prep materials
    • Your unique IELTS Reference Number

Your Test Taker Portal

Use your reference number to check:
✔ Test date & venue (available 5 days before)
✔ Payment & contact details
✔ Results (when ready)
✔ Free study resources
✔ British Council contacts


IELTS Test Dates in Kenya – 2025

TESTTEST DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINELOCATION
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training21-Aug-202518-Aug-2025Nairobi, Meru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training22-Aug-202519-Aug-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training23-Aug-202520-Aug-2025Nairobi, Mombasa, Kakamega
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training24-Aug-202520-Aug-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training25-Aug-202420-Aug-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training27-Aug-202522-Aug-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training28-Aug-202525-Aug-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training29-Aug-202526-Aug-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training30-Aug-202518-27-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training31-Aug-202428-Aug-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training01-Sep-202529-Aug-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training02-Sep-202529-Aug-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training03-Sep-2025
 
29-Aug-2025Nairobi, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training05-Sep-202502-Sep-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training06-Sep-202503-Sep-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training07-Sep-202504-Sep-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training09-Sep-202505-Sep-2025Nairobi, Kisii
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training10-Sep-202505-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training11-Sep-202508-Sep-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training12-Sep-202509-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training13-Sep-202510-Sep-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nyeri
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training14-Sep-202512-Sep-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training15-Sep-202512-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training16-Sep-202512-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training17-Sep-202512-Sep-2025Nairobi, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training18-Sep-202515-Sep-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training19-Sep-202516-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training20-Sep-202517-Sep-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training21-Sep-202518-Sep-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training23-Sep-202519-Sep-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training24-Sep-202519-Sep-2025Eldoret, Nakuru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training25-Sep-202522-Sep-2025Nairobi, Meru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training26-Sep-202523-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training27-Sep-202524-Sep-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Nakuru, Meru, Kisumu, Kakamega, Mombasa
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training29-Sep-202526-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training30-Sep-202526-Sep-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training01-Oct-202526-Sep-2025Nairobi, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training03-Oct-202530-Sep-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training04-Oct-202501-Oct-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nyeri
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training05-Oct-202502-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training07-Oct-202503-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training08-Oct-202503-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training09-Oct-202506-Oct-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisii
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training12-Oct-202509-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training13-Oct-202509-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training14-Oct-202509-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training15-Oct-202509-Oct-2025Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training16-Oct-202513-Oct-2025Meru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training17-Oct-202514-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training18-Oct-202515-Oct-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Meru, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training19-Oct-202516-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training21-Oct-202517-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training22-Oct-202517-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training23-Oct-202517-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training24-Oct-202521-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training25-Oct-202522-Oct-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training26-Oct-202523-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training27-Oct-202524-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training28-Oct-202524-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training29-Oct-202524-Oct-2025Nairobi, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training31-Oct-202528-Oct-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training01-Nov-202529-Oct-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training02-Nov-202530-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training04-Nov-202531-Oct-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training05-Nov-202531-Oct-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training06-Nov-202503-Nov-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisii, Nyeri
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training07-Nov-202504-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training09-Nov-202506-Nov-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training10-Nov-202507-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training11-Nov-202507-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training12-Nov-202507-Nov-2025Nairobi, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training14-Nov-202510-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training15-Nov-202512-Nov-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training16-Nov-202513-Nov-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training18-Nov-202514-Nov-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training19-Nov-202514-Nov-2025Eldoret, Nakuru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training20-Nov-202517-Nov-2025Nairobi, Meru
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training21-Nov-202518-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training22-Nov-202519-Nov-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru, Meru, Kakamega
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training23-Nov-202520-Nov-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training24-Nov-202521-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training25-Nov-202521-Nov-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training26-Nov-202521-Nov-2025Nairobi, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training28-Nov-202525-Nov-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training30-Nov-202527-Nov-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training02-Dec-202528-Nov-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training03-Dec-202528-Nov-2025Eldoret, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training04-Dec-202501-Dec-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training05-Dec-202502-Dec-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training06-Dec-202503-Dec-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nyeri
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training07-Dec-202504-Dec-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training08-Dec-202505-Dec-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training09-Dec-202505-Dec-2025Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training10-Dec-202505-Dec-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training11-Dec-202508-Dec-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisii
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training14-Dec-202511-Dec-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training16-Dec-202511-Dec-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training17-Dec-202511-Dec-2025Eldoret, Kisumu
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training18-Dec-202515-Dec-2025Nairobi
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training19-Dec-202516-Dec-2025Nairobi, Eldoret
IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training20-Dec-202517-Dec-2025Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Meru, Kakamega


Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect on test day?

Before You Go

Check your test time/date and arrive early (late entry may be denied)
Bring the exact ID used during registration
Review test rules in your application form

At the Test Center

  • No phones/electronics: Devices must be switched off and stored in lockers
  • No breaks: Listening, Reading, Writing (2 hours 40 mins total)
  • Only water: In a clear bottle (no food allowed)

During the Test

Timing:

Pace yourself—each section has suggested time limits

Wall clocks provided (no watches allowed)

When will I receive my IELTS scores

IELTS Results: When and How to Get Them

Processing Times:

  • Computer & UKVI Tests: 3-5 days
  • Paper Test: 13 days
  • Life Skills: Within 5 days

How to View/Get Your Scores:

  1. Online (available for 2 years):
    • Check via British Council email link
    • Use your passport/ID and candidate number
  2. In Person:
    • Collect Test Report Form at British Council office
    • (2 copies provided for Canadian immigration)

Important Notes:

Bring same ID used at registration to collect physical copies

You’ll receive email notification when results are ready

Online viewing is the fastest way to see your scores

How to send your IELTS Scores to Institutions

Free Score Reports

When registering for IELTS, you can select up to 5 organizations to receive your results at no cost.

Additional Score Reports

Need to send to more institutions? A small fee applies.

Contact the British Council after your test date to arrange this.

How to Request an IELTS Re-Mark

1. Eligibility & Timing

  • Submit your request within 6 weeks of your test date
  • Available at British Council test centers
  • Can re-mark all sections or just specific ones (Listening/Reading/Writing/Speaking)

2. Process & Fees

  • Pay the re-mark fee (refunded in full if your score changes)
  • Processing time: 2–21 days (depends on sections re-marked)
  • If no response after 28 days, contact British Council

3. After Your Re-Mark

  • If your score improves, you’ll receive:
    Updated Test Report Form
    Full refund of the re-mark fee

Note: Only request a re-mark if you strongly believe your score doesn’t reflect your performance.

Can You Retake IELTS?

If you didn’t achieve your desired IELTS score, you can retake the test anytime without restrictions, but remember that simply retaking it won’t improve your results – you’ll need focused preparation to address your weak areas first, whether through practice tests, courses, or self-study, as institutions will only consider your highest score across attempts.

Cancelling your IELTS test?

IELTS Cancellation & Refund Policy

You may cancel your test up to 5 weeks before the test date for a 75% refund (25% admin fee applies). Refunds take 4-6 weeks to process. For medical cancellations, submit an original English medical certificate and refund request form within 5 working days post-test to receive a 75% refund. Late submissions or copies (fax/email) will result in forfeiture.

Can I change my IELTS test date?

IELTS Test Date Transfer Policy

You can change your test date for free if you request it at least 5 weeks before your scheduled test. Your new date must be within 3 months of the original date.

For illness-related transfers:

  • Submit an original medical certificate (in English)
  • Include the transfer request form
  • Must be received within 5 working days after your test date

Important limitations:

Medical documentation must meet all requirements

Only one transfer allowed per registration

No refunds or additional transfers if you miss the rescheduled test