Hello,

The IELTS exam is scored on a 0-9 point scale with the total score being the sum of all individual sectional scores for reading, writing, speaking and listening.

There is no universal minimum score and instead, each university has its own individual IELTS score requirements for students seeking admission.

Usually, for the top universities this is around 7.0 or 7.5. For others it may be 6.5. In very rare cases, the minimum IELTS score requirement is under 6.0.

Preparation for IELTS depends upon your present English language proficiency. Generally, if you have a good level of English language proficiency, preparation can be completed in 1 month or even less. On the other hand, other students may take 2-3 months in order to prepare for the exam.

For preparation tips, visit:

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/ielts-preparation-tips