IELTS Exam

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally acknowledged standardized examination that assesses the English language skills of individuals who are not native speakers.

IELTS is widely recognized and accepted by numerous academic institutions and organizations across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Ireland, and European countries. It is a thorough examination that assesses proficiency in all aspects of the English language.

The IELTS test evaluates the English language abilities of individuals in the areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It is widely recognized as a primary English language proficiency assessment for individuals seeking employment or education opportunities in English-speaking countries. The test employs a nine-band scale to determine the language skills and proficiency levels of test takers. 

The IELTS test, which was first introduced in 1989, is jointly administered by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. Its purpose is to measure the English language skills of test takers in a fair and accurate manner.

The test questions are prepared by language experts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The questions are designed to mirror common scenarios and are unbiased and equitable for all examinees, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Types of IELTS Test

There are two different types of IELTS test, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic is intended for individuals seeking to pursue their education in an English-speaking setting or at a university. The IELTS Academic test assesses the test taker's proficiency in English language learning and covers vocabulary frequently utilized in academic environments.

IELTS General Training

The IELTS General Training test is suitable for individuals seeking to pursue studies at a level below that of a university undergraduate degree, particularly in educational institutions where English serves as the primary means of communication. 

Additionally, one has the option to undergo the examination for the purpose of work experience or other vocational training. The IELTS General Training test is mandatory for anyone seeking to reside in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. It assesses the test takers' proficiency in everyday English language abilities necessary for social interactions and professional environments.

The IELTS Test can be taken as a written test or digitally via computer and its validity period is 2 years.

IELTS Score Scale

The IELTS test employs a nine-band scale to assess the English language aptitude and proficiency of examinees. Although it is not possible to fail the test, a higher score signifies a greater proficiency in the language for the test taker. 

The IELTS Test is evaluated on a scale ranging from 1 to 9 for the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections. The overall score is determined by calculating the average of the four sections. Test takers have the possibility of achieving either whole scores (5.0, 6.0, 7.0, etc.) or half scores (5.5, 6.5, 7.5, etc.). 

If the average of the four exams results in a decimal ending in .25, the overall total score is rounded up to the nearest half integer. If the average ends in .75, the overall total score is rounded up to the next integer.

IELTS Test Format

All test takers in the Academic and General Training versions of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) take the identical Listening and Speaking exams, but the Reading and Writing exams are different. 

The three parts of the IELTS exam—listening, reading, and writing—are administered simultaneously, without any breaks in between. Conversely, you have one week before or after the other parts to take the Listening section. The whole test takes around two hours and forty-five minutes.

IELTS Academic Test Format

Listening (30 Minutes)

The IELTS listening test comprises four portions, with each section containing ten questions. The listening test is structured to ensure that the responses of the test takers align with the sequence of the questions presented in the audio recordings they will be listening to. 

The hearing test evaluates the proficiency of test takers in comprehending primary concepts, specific factual details, the emphasis and intonation used in speech, as well as the expression of opinions and attitudes. It also measures their capacity to track the progression of ideas in spoken language.

During the listening test, examinees have to listen to audio recordings that are played only once. These recordings encompass a diverse range of accents and expressions found in English spoken in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. 

Test takers must transcribe the test questions onto paper while simultaneously listening to the audio recordings. Additionally, test takers are allotted 10 minutes at the conclusion of the test to transfer their responses onto an answer sheet. It is important to note that marks are subtracted for careless spelling and poor grammar on the response sheet; thus, it is crucial to be cautious when writing replies.

The IELTS Listening Test consists of 40 questions and each question is worth 1 point.

Recording 1

Test takers listen to a recording of a conversation between two people in an everyday social context.

Recording 2

The test takers listen to a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities in a given location.

Recording 3

Test takers listen to a conversation between up to four people in an educational context, for example a conversation between university students and a lecturer about an assignment.

Recording 4

Test takers listen to a monologue on an academic topic, for example a speech from a university lecture.

Speaking (11 - 14 Minutes)

The IELTS speaking test consists of 3 sections and assesses test takers' ability to speak English.

Section 1

The examiner asks the test takers a series of questions about themselves and familiar topics such as home, family, work, education and interests. This part of the test takes four to five minutes.

Section 2

Test takers are given a card asking them to speak on a specific topic. The test takers are given one minute to prepare before they start their approximately two-minute speech, after which the examiner asks the test takers several questions on the same topic.

Section 3

In this section, test takers are asked additional questions about the topic they discussed in Section 2. These questions allow test takers to discuss more abstract ideas and topics. This part of the test lasts four to five minutes.

IELTS Academic Reading (60 Minutes)

The goal of the IELTS Academic Reading Test is to assess several reading skills, including comprehension of the overall subject matter, identification of important concepts, comprehension of details, understanding of inferences and implications, and comprehension of the author's perspectives, attitude, and intent. Test takers must read the information rapidly and utilize their allocated time effectively. 

In the IELTS Reading test, examinees must peruse three distinct texts and respond to the corresponding inquiries. It is important to acknowledge that the substance of the Reading parts of the Academic and General Training tests varies. The Academic Reading Test comprises 40 questions, with each accurate response carrying a value of one point. The conversion of scores to the IELTS 9 band scale involves assigning full and half points. 

The Academic Reading Test has three lengthy texts encompassing many genres, such as descriptive, factual, discursive, and analytical. The texts are sourced from various literary publications, such as books, newsletters, periodicals, and newspapers. 

The materials have been curated for a general readership; however, they are appropriate for anyone enrolled in university courses or pursuing professional accreditation. The Academic Reading Test comprises tasks such as completing missing information in a provided text or table, aligning headings with a given diagram or chart, sentence completion, providing concise responses to open-ended questions, and selecting from multiple-choice options. 

The duration of the Academic Reading Test is 60 minutes, which encompasses the time required to document the answers on the test paper.

IELTS General Training Reading (60 Minutes)

The General Training Reading test aims to assess a broad spectrum of reading abilities, including comprehension of the text's overall subject, identification of important concepts, comprehension of details, understanding of inferences and implications, and comprehension of the author's perspectives, attitude, and goal. Test takers must read the information rapidly and utilize their allocated time effectively. In the IELTS Reading test, examinees must peruse three distinct texts and respond to the corresponding inquiries.

The General Training Reading Test includes tasks such as filling in the blanks in a provided text or table, matching headings to a graphic or chart, filling in sentences, providing concise responses to open-ended questions, and answering multiple-choice questions. The duration of the General Training Reading Test is 60 minutes, which encompasses the time required to document the answers on the test paper.

IELTS Academic Writing (60 Minutes)

The purpose of the IELTS Academic Writing Test is to assess several writing abilities, including the ability to produce suitable responses, effectively structure ideas, employ an extensive vocabulary, and demonstrate accurate grammatical usage. 

The Academic Writing test necessitates that test takers employ a formal language. The IELTS Academic Writing Test comprises two sections. An authorized IELTS expert will evaluate the writing test, and the score for Section 2 of the IELTS Academic Writing Test is twice as high as that of Section 1. Grades are awarded in whole numbers and fractions.

Section 1

The first section of the test will present test takers with a visual representation such as a graph, table, chart, or diagram. The examinees are required to articulate, condense, and elucidate the information presented in a written composition, including a minimum of 150 words, employing their own vocabulary. 

This encompasses the act of providing a description or explanation of data, outlining the various stages of a process, elucidating the functioning of something, or providing a description of an object or activity.

Section 2

In the second section, examinees are required to compose a 250-word essay addressing a certain perspective, argument, or issue. The provided subject matter should be straightforward and comprehensible.

The duration of the IELTS Academic Writing test is 60 minutes. Section 1 is allocated a time limit of 20 minutes, whereas Section 2 has a time limit of 40 minutes. Test takers are required to effectively allocate their time and proceed to Section 2 once 20 minutes have elapsed.

IELTS General Training Writing (60 Minutes)

The primary objective of the IELTS General Training Writing Test is to assess the proficiency of test takers in several aspects of writing, including their capacity to produce suitable responses, effectively structure ideas, employ an extensive vocabulary, and demonstrate accurate grammatical usage. 

The IELTS General Training Writing Test encompasses a wide range of broad subjects. The IELTS General Training Writing Test comprises two sections.

 An authorized IELTS expert will evaluate the writing test. In the IELTS General Trainin Writing test, Section 2 carries double the value of Section 1, and scores are awarded in whole numbers and half numbers.

Section 1

In the first section, test takers are given a situation and asked to write a minimum 150-word essay asking for information or providing an explanation. Test takers can use a personal, semi-formal or formal style in their writing.

Section 2

In the second section, test takers are asked to write a minimum 250-word essay on a point of view, argument or problem. It is possible for examinees to use a more individual style in this essay.

The IELTS General Training Writing Test takes 60 minutes. The test time is 20 minutes for Section 1 and 40 minutes for Section 2. 

Test takers are expected to manage the time allocated to them and move on to Section 2 when the 20 minute mark is reached.