IELTS

The International English Language Testing System termed as IELTS, is the most popular test to check one’s proficiency in the English Language and also it is a pre-requisite to study abroad, migrate and work abroad for all foreign countries, mostly English speaking nations.

The IELTS exam is designed by a group of experts who ensure that the test is fair and unbiased for every candidate regardless of their background, lifestyle, location, gender or nationality.

The Test Format

• This Language Test assesses your level of ability in Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening. The Duration of the test is maximum 3 hours.There are 2 kinds of IELTS test :

General Training Test

General training is for the people who wish to migrate/ work in Australia, UK and Canada.

IELTS General Training Test – This comprises of extracts from newspapers, advertisements, magazines, notices and company handbooks. The extracts are based on the daily life and are used in an English-speaking surrounding.

Academic Test

The Academic test is for the people who wish to apply for their higher studies abroad.

IELTS Academic Test – This comprises of three long texts ranging from the factual and descriptive texts to the analytical and discursive texts. These are taken from journals, books, newspapers and magazines and are selected for the people going to begin a course at a university abroad or willing to begin a professional registration.

Both the tests are assessed on the basis of four components; Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Out of all 4 components, 3 components i.e. Reading, Writing and listening are completed on the same day itself within duration of 2 hrs 45 mins.Whereas, the Speaking test may happen anytime in a week before or after the other components are completed.

Listening

Duration: 30 minutes + 10 mins to transfer your answers to the answer sheets.

You are supposed to write the answers by listening from a series of questions that you hear. There are 4 sections in the recording divided into monologues and dialogues.

• 1st Recording: 2 people having a conversation on a social cause related to daily life.
• 2nd Recording: Monologue from everyday life, like- A speech on local amenities etc.
• 3rd Recording: A dialogue comprising of4 people at an educational institution or a training room. For example, a teacher and a student are in a discussion on an assignment.
• 4th Recording: Monologue related to any academic subject. For example, a school lesson or lecture at the University.

Assessment Criteria

• Ability to support your understanding on the main idea and detailed information with facts and figures.

• Attitudes and opinions of speakers.

• Evidence to support your ability to trace your developing ideas.

Reading

Duration: 60 minutes

You are supposed to answer all the 40 questions in this component. This component includes:

• Reading for main Ideas. Reading for gist.

• Reading for detail.

• Understanding logical argument.

• Recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

Writing (Duration- 60mins)

Academics Task 1 –The student will be presented with a table, graph, diagram or chart and will have to describe, explain or summarize the information as per his or her understanding. You may even have to explain and describe data, you may have to describe the levels of a process, you may even have to describe an object or any event or you may have to explain about working of something.

General Task 1- There will be a situation and you will have to write a letter seeking information or describing the situation. The letter can have a semi-formal, personal or formal approach in the style of writing.

This comprises of two parts: The given time is 20mins and the word limit is from 150-180 words.

Task 2 for both Types of IELTS tests is Essay Writing wherein 40mins is the time limit and word limit is 250-280 words.

Speaking

Duration: 11–14 minutes

The speaking part assess you on the competence of your communication, moreover, the entire test is recorded. There are three parts in this section:

Part 1 – You’ll be asked general questions related to yourself, the topics will be like family, work, home, interests and studies.

Duration of this part is 4-5 minutes.

Part 2 – In this part the examiner will give you a cue card stating a particular topic and you will be required to talk on it for about a maximum of 2 minutes. Prior to this you will be given a minute to prepare your notes.

Part 3 – This part is in continuation with part 2 as there is a discussion on more issues and ideas related to your topic from the previous part. This part lasts for 4-5 minutes.