Like most other events the IELTS exam was greatly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, with the exam being postponed for many months at the onset of the virus and then only being held in certain locations during the remainder of 2020. In this article, you will find comprehensive information about when the IELTS exams are held, along with the global dates for certain 2021 IELTS exams. These global IELTS dates also apply to Singapore test centres as well.
When is the IELTS Exam Held?
It is important for IELTS test-takers to note that the Paper-Based tests are offered up to four times a month. The General Training test occurs about 24 times a year while the Academic test occurs on 48 pre-determined dates. These are usually on a Saturday or a Thursday. Saturday test dates are more frequent than Thursday ones, but any given month will have at least one Thursday IELTS date. The Computer-Based tests are available 3 times a day for the entire year, except for public holidays. Places are available on a first-come-first-served basis and you can easily complete the IELTS registration process online on the official IELTS website.
2021 Global IELTS Schedule
The joint partners of the IELTS the exam have released a provisional global IELTS test schedule for 2021 However, these are likely to change and might vary depending on your country and particular IELTS test location. It is important to verify that tests are being offered on a specific date by checking on the official IELTS website.
A comprehensive list of countries that are currently holding IELTS exams can also be found on the official IELTS websites. All of these test centres are bound to follow strict COVID-19 SOPs as well.
You can check on the official IELTS website if your local British Council or IDP IELTS Test Centre is holding IELTS exam at the moment. If tests are available in your area then make sure you follow the IELTS COVID-19 guidelines to take the precautions you’ll need to enter the test centre.
IELTS 2021 Global Test Dates
Below are the provisional dates on which the IELTS exams will be held in different countries in 2021.
Date | Test |
Dec. 2020 | |
Thursday, 3 Dec. 2020 | Academic only |
Saturday, 5 Dec. 2020 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 12 Dec. 2020 | Academic only |
Saturday, 19 Dec. 2020 | Academic and General Training |
Jan. 2021 | |
Saturday, 9 Jan. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 16 Jan. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 21 Jan. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 23 Jan. 2021 | Academic only |
Feb. 2021 | |
Saturday, 6 Feb. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 20 Feb. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 25 Feb. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 27 Feb. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Mar. 2021 | |
Thursday, 6 Mar. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 20 Mar. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 25 Mar. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 27 Mar. 2021 | Academic only |
Apr. 2021 | |
Saturday, 10 Apr. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 17 Apr. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 24 Apr. 2021 | Academic only |
Thursday, 29 Apr. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
May. 2021 | |
Saturday, 8 May. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 20 May. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 22 May. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 29 May. 2021 | Academic only |
Jun. 2021 | |
Saturday, 5 Jun. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 12 Jun. 2021 | Academic only |
Thursday, 17 Jun. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 19 Jun. 2021 | Academic only |
Jul. 2021 | |
Thursday, 1 Jul. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 10 Jul. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 17 Jul. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 24 Jul. 2021 | Academic only |
Aug. 2021 | |
Saturday, 7 Aug. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 12 Aug. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 21 Aug. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 28 Aug. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Sep. 2021 | |
Saturday, 4 Sep. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 11 Sep. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 16 Sep. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 25 Sep. 2021 | Academic only |
Oct. 2021 | |
Saturday, 9 Oct. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 14 Oct. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 23 Oct. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 30 Oct. 2021 | Academic only |
Nov. 2021 | |
Saturday, 6 Nov. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Thursday, 11 Nov. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 20 Nov. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 27 Nov. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Dec. 2021 | |
Thursday, 2 Dec. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 4 Dec. 2021 | Academic only |
Saturday, 11 Dec. 2021 | Academic and General Training |
Saturday, 18 Dec. 2021 | Academic only |