The academic version of the IELTS is for students applying to U.S. universities. The test consists of four parts, a listening section, reading section, writing section and speaking section. The total testing time is two hours and 45 minutes, according to IELTS, and the reading, writing and speaking tests must be taken in one sitting. You can take the speaking test at the same time, or separately.
Carnegie Mellon University would like to admit international students to increase diversity at its Pittsburgh campus. About 14 percent of its student body is international, according to the university. Carnegie Mellon requires those whose native language is not English to submit scores from either the IELTS or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The university will accept a score of 7.5 or higher on the IELTS.
International students applying to the Arkansas State University have to submit a score from the IELTS. The university grants some applicants a conditional acceptance to graduate programs, based on taking some prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level. The minimum IELTS score the university accepts from these conditional acceptance students is 5.5. Other international students accepted to graduate programs at ASU need to score a minimum of 6.0 on the IELTS.
Columbia University expects international students whose native language is not English to submit scores from either the TOEFL or IELTS, even graduate school hopefuls who've completed their undergraduate education in a country whose official language is not English. The university doesn't require an IELTS score from applicants for graduate study who've earned their undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country. Columbia's graduate school requires a minimum IELTS score of 7.5.