International English Language Testing System, widely known as IELTS is an International standardized English test for non-native English speakers who wish to work or study in regions where English is the primary communicatory language. The test is held four times a month in more than 900 locations across the globe. IELTS basically tests all four language skills of a person which includes reading, writing, listening and speaking. Two versions of tests are available for the test takers – Academic or General Training, which they can choose depending on their purpose or visa requirements.
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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test administered to evaluate the English language skills of non-English speaking candidates who seek to pursue education programmes in, or immigrate to, English speaking countries. The test is designed to assess the candidate’s ability to understand spoken and written English in academic and social contexts and also to use the language to communicate in spoken and written forms.
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IELTS is owned, developed and delivered through the partnership of the following bodies
British Council
idp IELTS Australia
University of Cambridge ESOL examinations
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IELTS scores are accepted by educational institutes, professional bodies and government undertakings, as well as for immigration processing, in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Canada and certain American universities (like Princeton and Duke), where the IELTS scores are accepted in lieu of TOEFL scores.
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The objective of the test is to assess a candidate’s ability to understand and communicate in English in academic and social contexts. To make this assessment, the following skills are specifically tested.
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The ability to read and comprehend written, academic or training language.
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The ability to write assignments in a style that is appropriate for university study or within a training context.
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The ability to understand spoken language in lecture format as well as in formal and informal conversational styles.
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The ability to speak on general and given topics in formal and informal situations.
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Description of the Test:
The IELTS test has two versions:
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1. The Academic Module – This module is intended for candidates seeking entry to a university or institution of higher education for degree and diploma courses (i.e. those seeking undergraduate or postgraduate courses).
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2. The General Training Module – This module is intended for students seeking entry to a secondary school or to vocational training courses. This module is also meant for candidates seeking immigration to an English speaking country. The two versions do not carry the same weight and are not interchangeable.
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All candidates are tested on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. While the Speaking and Listening sections are common for the Academic and General versions of the test, the Reading and Writing sections are different.
Test Format: The IELTS has four parts:
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1. Listening Section – This consists of 4 parts with 10 questions each, totaling 40 questions, to be completed in around 30 minutes. While the recording is played you get time to read the questions and to write and check your answers. You then have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
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2. Reading Section (Academic or General) - This section consists of 3 reading passages with a total of 40 questions. The three texts , together, contain between 2000 and 2750 words. The total time allotted is 60 minutes.
The Reading Test gets progressively tougher through the paper. In each section of the Reading Test there will be 13 or 14 questions to each passage. While the General Training reading has texts from notices, advertisements, booklets, newspapers, magazines and books, the Academic reading has texts with complex language and precise or elaborated expression, from newspapers, magazines, journals and books.
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3. Writing Section (Academic or General) - This section consists of two writing tasks. The total time allotted is 60 minutes.
The IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is an information transfer task related to the factual content of an input – graph(s), table(s) or diagram(s). It can be combinations of these inputs.
Sometimes you have to describe a process shown in a diagram.
Time allotted – 20 minutes
Word limit – 150 words
Writing - Task 1 (General)
For the IELTS General Writing Task 1, you must write a letter elaborating on a given problem.
The Letter will require an explanation of the situation, and often involves a request for necessary information.
You should write in the style appropriate for the type of letter required-either personal, semi-formal or formal.
Time allotted – 20 minutes
Word limit – 150 words
Writing - Task 2
In Task 2 , you are asked to write an essay on a given Topic
Time – 40 minutes
Word Length – 250 words at least
4. Speaking Section – The total time allotted to this section is 11 to 14 minutes.
The test consists of an interview between the examiner and the candidate, which is recorded.
The Speaking Test is divided into 3 sections:
Section 1 - begins with some general introductory questions. This is followed by some questions on personal information similar to the type of questions one would ask when meeting someone for the first time. Finally the examiner asks a series of questions of 2 topics of general interest. (4 – 5 minutes)
Personal Questions – Family, Hometown, Interests, Job/Study, Ambitions,etc
Likes & Dislikes
Favourites
Questions to check familiarity with tenses.
Section 2 - is a monologue by the candidate. The examiner gives the candidate a Cue Card with a subject and a few guiding questions on it. The student talks for 1 to 2 minutes on this subject, as the examiner may decide. The student gets 1 minute to prepare his talk and is provided with paper and a pencil to make some brief notes. After the candidate’s talk, the examiner asks 1 or 2 brief questions to finish the section. (3 – 4 minutes)
Section 3 – Here the examiner asks some more questions generally related to the subject spoken about in section 2. These questions are more demanding and require some critical analysis on the part of the candidate.
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The duration of the entire test is around 2 hours 45 minutes.
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Scoring: The result consists of a score in each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) which is then arranged to give the Overall Band Score or final mark. Performance is rated in each skill on a scale of 9 to 1. The nine overall Bands are as follows:
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9. Expert user
8. Very good user
7. Good user
6. user
5. Modest user
4. Limited User
3. Extremely limited user
2. Intermittent user
1. Non user
0. Did not attempt the test
For instance:
In Reading / Listening
Pass Mark:
There is no fixed pass mark in IELTS. The acceptability of a score is totally at the discretion of the institute applied to, or govt. body (in case of immigration). However, as a general rule, scores below Band 5 are considered to be too low and above Band 6 are deemed to be Adequate to Good. Band 5 to Band 6 scores are borderline scores. An overall score of Band 6.5 is mostly accepted as a good score. The individual module’s Band score is considered as per the requirement.
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For example, an Engineering Institute will emphasise on a good Band Score (6.5 or above) in the Listening Module, as the institute’s mode of teaching is lecture-oriented, whereas if a person is seeking a job in public-relations, then greater weightage is given to a good Band Score (6.5 or more) in the Speaking Module.
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In the Listening module and the Reading module, each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The overall score is converted into a Band score from 9 to 1. The other two modules (Writing and Speaking) are rated as per the effectiveness, language skills, communication ability, clarity, fluency and spontaneity of the candidate. The candidate must try to gauge and given comply with the examiner’s assessment method.
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Test Dates:
For latest test dates, contact the nearest BRITISH COUNCIL office or visit www.ielts.org. The Listening, Reading and Writing Modules are conducted on the same day as the test date, but the Speaking Module is conducted either 2 days before or after the examination date for the other three modules. This is at the discretion of the test centre, subject to the availability of slots.
The candidates can appear as many times as they want. The test is a PBT (Paper Based Test) but some selected centres offer CBT (Computer Based Test) on request of the candidate.
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Exam Registration can now be done online as well, the websites are,
http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-exams-ielts-home.htm (British Council)
http://www.ieltsidpindia.com/ (IDP Australia)
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What is the advantage of taking IELTS Training?
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Taking IELTS training from an expert will help you to sharpen your English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in a better way. You’ll also learn tips and tricks to crack your exam with a good band.
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Advantages of taking online IELTS Training?
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Some of the advantages of taking online IELTS Training are:
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It is convenient
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It is flexible
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Can avail study material along with videos
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Easily accessible anywhere and anytime
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One can get the progress report immediately
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One can take unlimited practice tests with the format the same as the official IELTS test
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How many times can I take IELTS?
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You can take the IELTS exam as many times as you want until you get the dream score. There is no limit set by the conducting bodies of IELTS for taking the IELTS exam. But, you’ll have to pay the IELTS test fee for every attempt.
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Test format
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In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There are two different IELTS modules: Academic and General Training. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both modules, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.
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What are the differences between IELTS Academic and IELTS General ?
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IELTS has mainly two subdivisions –IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
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The Academic version of the test is intended for. The Academic version of the test is meant for individuals who wish to study at tertiary level in an English-speaking nation, that is, the candidates seeking entry to a university or institution of higher education for degree and diploma courses. Sometimes it is also required to seek professional registration, like in the case of medical professionals. Countries like Ireland, UK, New Zealand and Canada advice that doctors, nurses, etc shall have to take the Academic test of IELTS. The General Training test, on the contrary, is meant for all other immigration and employment. That is, it enables the person to migrate to an English-speaking country.
Both the Academic and General Training tests have four parts – listening, speaking, reading and writing. Listening, Speaking, and Writing Task 2 are common for both the tests. That is, the only difference between Academic and General Tests is Reading and Writing Task 1. All other features, such as the allocation of time, length of written answers and reporting of scores, are the same for both tests.
We provide the best the best coaching for both General and Academic IELTS tests. Based on the requirement and purpose of migration, our team will guide the learners to choose the right test for them.