IELTS

Why IELTS?

Students aspiring to study in the topmost universities and colleges of the English-speaking world need to clear an English language proficiency test. Non-native speakers of English have to show that they can read, write, speak, and understand English, so as to be able to follow lectures, study, take exams, and interact comfortably with fellow students, teachers and the local population.

For this purpose as well as for the purpose of immigration, a standardised English language proficiency test for non-native English spea-kers has been established as a pre-requisite for the selection process. IELTS is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test and a world of opportunity awaits those who clear the required scores.

What is IELTS?

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is conducted by three institutions, namely, the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment (University of Cambridge).

Purpose:

• IELTS is the most impartial and trustworthy English proficiency test available for the purposes of study, work, and immigration.

• Most academic institutions in English-speaking countries, like, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and an increasing number of educational institutions in the United States, accept IELTS for study.

• For work purposes, many professional organizations recognize IELTS as the standard test.

• For migration, IELTS is required or accepted for permanent residency by the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

How to prepare for IELTS?

Familiarise yourself with the test format: The first step towards IELTS preparation is to become familiar with the test format. Once you are aware of the test format, you know what to expect in each section making it easier for you to attempt your questions.

IELTS tests you on the four skills of English language i.e. Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening. The four sections are explained in detail below:

• Listening – The listening test will be for 30 minutes and is segregated into 4 sections

• Reading – The reading test comprises 40 questions, all divided into 3 sections. The time duration for this section is 60 minutes.

• Writing – The writing test will have 2 tasks and will be for 60 minutes.

• Speaking – The speaking test consists of 3 parts of 11-14 minutes.

Practice IELTS: Nothing can get you a get score if you do not practice. Use the IELTS practice material to get a better idea of the kind of questions that you might experience during your test. The more you practice, the better you become.

Define your IELTS goal and priorities: Once you start practicing, you will know your strengths and weaknesses. Ensure to practice more on your weaknesses so that you are well prepared by the time you take the test.

Get used to the IELTS testing environment: Familiarise yourself through mock tests so you are well prepared on your actual test day.

IELTS Version

• There are two versions of the IELTS test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The purpose of both tests is different and the one you take will depend on the requirements of the academic institution you plan to study in, your work/professional or visa requirements.

IELTS Academic:

• This test is meant for students wishing to study at universities and institutes of higher education in countries where English is the medium of instruction in the classroom. Many professions, like, medical, nursing, engineering etc., also require an IELTS Academic result for registration. The Academic test is designed to assess the proficiency in English required in an academic and higher learning environment.

IELTS General Training

• This test is usually a visa requirement for those applying for permanent residency to English speaking countries, such as, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Persons going to these countries for training programmes, employment or secondary education, are required to take this test. IELTS General Training is intended to test the English skills that an immigrant or a worker would need for communication in the workplace and in an everyday environment.

Scoring System :

• The IELTS test does not pass or fail a student, instead, the IELTS scoring system uses a band scale of 0 – 9 to assess the proficiency of the candidate.

• There are different band requirements for each country, institution, organization, and candidates will need to score accordingly.

• Sometimes the band requirements differ for visa and your chosen institution/organization/profession/employer.

• The IELTS test results have a validity of two years and you will be required to retake the test beyond that time period.

IELTS Test Format

Academic– IELTS Academic is divided into four sections

Listening

• The test is of 30 minutes, an additional time of 10 minutes is given for transferring the answers to the answer sheet. The candidates are tested on their ability to understand lectures and conversations in various Western accents, primarily British.

Reading

• The test is of 40 questions divided in 3 sections. The test is 60 minutes long and it measures the the ability of candidates to understand descriptive, factual, and analytical passages.

Writing

• In this test 2 tasks have to be completed in 60 minutes. Task 1 comprises of describing tables, graphs, charts, diagrams in a minimum of 150 words and in task 2 candidates are required to write a 250 words long essay on the given topic. The contribution of task 2 to the total writing score is twice of task 1.

Speaking

• The speaking test is generally 11 to 14 minutes long and is conducted in a face to face interview format . This test has 3 sections, in the first section the examiner asks questions related to the candidate’s introduction etc. In the second section the candidate is asked to speak for 2 minutes on a general topic and in the third section followup questions related to the topic in section 2 are asked.

General– IELTS General Training is also divided into four sections

Listening

• The test is of 30 minutes, an additional time of 10 minutes is given for transferring the answers to the answer sheet. The candidates are tested on their ability to understand lectures and conversations in various Western accents, primarily British

Reading

• The duration of this test is 60 minutes in which three passages are given. Each passage forms one section of the test and is accompanied with 10 to 14 questions. There are a total of 40 questions.

• Section 1 generally has two or three short paragraphs on factual texts.

• Section 2 mostly has on two short paragraphs based on factual texts.

• Section 3 is likely to be a long passage on a general topic.

Writing

• In this test 2 tasks have to be completed in 60 minutes. Task 1 comprises of writing a 150 words long formal or an informal letter on the given situation and in task 2 candidates are required to write a 250 words long essay on the given topic. The contribution of task 2 to the total writing score is twice of task 1.

Speaking

• The speaking test is generally 11 to 14 minutes long and is conducted in a face to face interview format . This test has 3 sections, in the first section the examiner asks questions related to the candidate’s introduction etc. In the second section the candidate is asked to speak for 2 minutes on a general topic and in the third section followup questions related to the topic in section 2 are asked.

How are bands allocated?

• Candidates are judged on a band scale of 1 to 9 in each part of the test. These bands clearly mentions a candidate’s ability to use and understand English. IELTS results are valid only for 2 years. There is no pass or fail system in IELTS test.

• band 0 – did not attempt the test

• band 1 – non user

• band 2 – intermittent user

• band 3 – extremely limited user

• band 4 – limited user

• band 5 – modest user

• band 6 – competent user

• band 7 – good user

• band 8 – very good user

• band 9 – expert user