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Preparation
Personalised expert coaching for your target band score. British Council accredited. Ministry of Education recognised. Real results.
IELTS
Personalised Pathway Advisor
Select your target exam, current level, and target score — we'll map the fastest route to exam success.
CEFR · GL Academy · IELTS · TOEFL
Understand where you stand and what your target score means across all major frameworks.
| CEFR | GL Academy Level | IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Below 3.0 | Below 31 | Basic user — simple phrases and familiar topics |
| A1 – A2 | Elementary | 3.0 – 3.5 | 31 – 41 | Elementary — routine communication and basic needs |
| A2 – B1 | Pre-Intermediate | 4.0 – 5.0 | 42 – 71 | Independent user — familiar topics and developing complexity |
| B1 – B2 | Intermediate | 5.0 – 6.0 | 57 – 86 | Independent user — handling most situations with some confidence |
| B2 – C1 | Upper-Intermediate | 5.5 – 7.0 | 72 – 100 | Upper-intermediate — exam preparation entry point ✓ |
| C1 – C2 | Advanced | 7.0 – 9.0 | 95 – 120 | Advanced to mastery — complex texts, near-native fluency |
Score ranges are approximate equivalencies based on CEFR alignment guidelines. Actual scores may vary by individual performance.
IELTS or TOEFL — Which Is Right for You?
Both are globally recognised English proficiency tests, but they differ in format, scoring, and acceptance. We prepare you for both.
British Council Accredited
- Accepted byUK, Australia, Canada, NZ + 10,000+ institutions
- FormatComputer-based only (in Malaysia)
- SpeakingFace-to-face with a trained examiner
- Scoring0 – 9 band scale (0.5 increments)
- Duration2 hours 45 minutes
- SectionsListening · Reading · Writing · Speaking
- Best forUK/AU/NZ study, migration, professional registration
- Validity2 years
- Accepted byUSA, Canada + 12,000+ institutions globally
- FormatInternet-based only (iBT)
- SpeakingRecorded responses — no live examiner
- Scoring0 – 120 points (4 sections × 30)
- DurationApproximately 2 hours
- SectionsReading · Listening · Speaking · Writing
- Best forUS/Canada study, graduate admissions
- Validity2 years
Learn About Each Exam
Click any exam card to learn about its format, structure, scoring, and what to expect on test day.
IELTS Academic
For university admissions, professional registration, and skilled worker visas in English-speaking countries.
IELTS General Training
For work experience, migration to English-speaking countries, and non-academic secondary programmes.
TOEFL iBT
The gold standard for US and Canadian university admissions and global academic programmes worldwide.
Real Students. Real Scores.
Our students achieve their target bands and scores. Here are some of their stories.
8.0
"I'm extremely grateful to GL Academy for helping me achieve my desired IELTS score. My target was 7.5, but I ended up scoring an amazing 8 overall with just one week of preparation and no knowledge of IELTS beforehand. Teachers were kind and helpful and the owner even adjusted my classes to fully optimise my learning process. I highly recommend GL Academy for an amazing learning experience!"
7.0
"I needed IELTS 6.5 for my Masters application in Melbourne. The instructors focused on my weak areas — Academic Writing and Speaking — and the improvement was dramatic. I scored 7.0 overall and received my unconditional offer from the University of Melbourne the following week."
"My university in Boston required a minimum TOEFL of 100. I was at 87 when I started here. The speaking practice sessions were incredibly structured. I scored 108 and received my admission offer the following week."
Begin Your Path to Your Target Score
Whether you are aiming for IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100+, our expert instructors will build a personalised plan to get you there.

IELTS Academic
International English Language Testing System — Academic Module
IELTS Academic measures English proficiency for entry to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and for professional registration with bodies such as the NMC, GMC, and GPhC.
- Listening — 30 min + 10 min transfer · 40 questions · 4 recordings
- Reading — 60 min · 40 questions · Academic texts from journals and books
- Writing — 60 min · Task 1: describe a graph/chart · Task 2: discursive essay
- Speaking — 11–14 min · Face-to-face with a trained examiner · 3 parts
In Malaysia, IELTS is administered in computer-based format only. The content and scoring are identical to the paper-based test — the only difference is that Reading, Writing, and Listening are completed on a computer.
Scored 0–9 in 0.5 band increments per section. Overall Band Score = average of all four. Most universities require 6.0–7.5 overall, with minimum band requirements per section.
Over 11,000 organisations in 140+ countries — all UK, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian universities, and major UK professional bodies.

IELTS General Training
International English Language Testing System — General Training Module
IELTS General Training is for those seeking work experience, migration to English-speaking countries, or entry to secondary school programmes. It focuses on practical, everyday English.
- Listening — Same as Academic · 30 min + 10 min transfer
- Reading — 60 min · Everyday texts: notices, workplace documents, ads
- Writing — 60 min · Task 1: write a formal/informal letter · Task 2: essay
- Speaking — 11–14 min · Same format as Academic
Reading uses practical everyday texts (not academic extracts). Writing Task 1 is a letter, not a graph description. Generally considered more accessible than Academic for test-takers.
Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and UK visa and immigration authorities. Many employers in English-speaking countries also accept General Training for work visas.
TOEFL iBT
Test of English as a Foreign Language — Internet-Based Test
TOEFL iBT is the world's most widely accepted English proficiency test for academic purposes, administered by ETS. It is particularly preferred by US and Canadian institutions.
- Reading — 35 min · 2 passages · 20 questions · Academic texts
- Listening — 36 min · Lectures and conversations · Note-taking required
- Speaking — 16 min · 4 tasks · 1 independent + 3 integrated · Recorded
- Writing — 29 min · 2 tasks: integrated summary + academic discussion
Each section scored 0–30, total 0–120. Most US universities require 80–100+. Top programmes (Harvard, MIT) typically require 100–110+.
Speaking involves recording responses on a computer — no live examiner. Integrated tasks require synthesising information across reading and listening sources simultaneously.
