The British Council, an official co-owner of IELTS, has confirmed that IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training test formats will remain unchanged for candidates appearing in 2026, as per official information available as of 7 January 2026.
According to current official guidance:
- The four-test structure (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) remains unchanged
- The band score scale of 0–9 continues to apply
- The score validity remains 2 years from the test date
- No new sections or revised scoring patterns have been introduced
The British Council has clarified that claims suggesting changes to IELTS scoring, format, or validity for 2026 are not supported by official announcements. Any future updates will be communicated exclusively through official IELTS partner channels.
This confirmation applies to both paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS tests and remains relevant for candidates using IELTS for study abroad admissions, student visas, and immigration purposes.
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