IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world there are currently over 300 centres operating in more than 100 countries. Centres supervise the local administration of the test and ensure the provision of qualified and trained examiners. A full list of centres is available on the IELTS website. Test centres run regular test administrations, according to local need and results are available within two weeks. Candidates receive only one copy of their results but additional copies may be sent by the test centre directly to receiving organisations at the request of the candidate.
There are no restrictions on candidates re-taking the test. Academic and General Training IELTS is available in two formats-Academic and General Training.
The Academic Reading and Writing tests assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of these tests.
The General Training Reading and Writing tests are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General Training Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing this information. The General Training Module is not offered at all test administrations.

ACADEMIC - IELTS Academic is divided into four sections

Listening : The test is of 30 minutes and 10 minutes are given extra for transferring answers to the answer sheet. The candidates are tested on monologues and conversations.
Reading : The test is of 60 minutes in which students are tested on reading passages with tasks, text from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical, diagrams, graph, text from books , journals, and newspapers.
Writing : The test is of 60 minutes, which comprises of writing task of 150 words, describing tables, graphs, charts, diagrams and a short essay of 250 words.
Speaking : Speaking test is of 11 to 14 minutes. In this test, candidates are put through face to face interview, short questions, speaking on a familiar topic and a discussion.

GENERAL - IELTS General Training is also divided into four sections

Reading : The duration of this test is 60 minutes in which three reading passages with tasks will be given.
Section 1 will be based on two or three short factual texts.
Section 2 will be based on two short factual texts.
Section 3 will be based on one long text on general topic.
(The extracts will be authentic as it will be taken from books, newspaper etc.)

Writing : Writing section will be of 60 minutes in which candidates will be asked to write a letter of 150 words and short essay of 250 words.

Speaking : Speaking test is of 11 to 14 minutes. In this test, candidates are put through face to face interview, short questions, speaking on a familiar topic and a discussion.