Many people think that IELTS is just an English language test, but in fact it is an exam that assesses the level of language proficiency in an academic and professional environment. While English covers grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, IELTS tests four specific skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking, with clear assessment criteria. Even if you know the language, you can lose points due to not knowing the format, so preparing for the exam is as important as mastering English itself.