International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Overview
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test in English. The test measures the English language communication skills of applicants whose mother tongue is NOT English. The English language test is in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The students and workers going to English speaking land for higher studies and work takes IELTS test. The educational institutions and employers of English speaking countries require the students and would be employees to show proficiency in English if they belong to non English speaking countries. The purpose of this requirement of proficiency in English is to ensure that a student would be able to complete his / her studies in English medium or an employ would be able to work effectively. The score in IELTS is treated as a benchmark by many educational institutions and employers’ across the globe.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is jointly administered by the British Council, IDP Education Australia; and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. The score in IELTS test is globally recognized. The test is honored by more than 3800 educational institutions, government agencies and professional organizations across 120 countries of the world. It doesn’t matter where you stay, the IELTS test reaches near you in different times at ease. The IELTS test is administered approximately 500 000 times in a year.
The IELTS examination is available separately for students and common people as
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General
The Academic based IELTS exam measures whether a candidate will be able to complete his / her course work; the IELTS general exam do not focus on academics and only measures whether a candidate would be able to communicate, work effectively and live in English speaking land.
The IELTS general test is required for a person’s going to English speaking nation (like Australia, New Zealand, Australia, UK etc) for work and common living. However the academic test is necessary for students transferring for higher studies.
Test Pattern
The International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) test is available in two formats- 1. Paper Based IELTS (PBIELTS); and 2. Computer Based IELTS (CBIELTS). Though, CBIELTS is not administered at all test locations. The test takers are free to choose either of the two according to requirement.
The IELTS consists of four sections
- Listening;
- Reading (Academic / General)
- Writing (Academic / General); and
- Speaking
The description for each test section and time required to answer the IELTS test questions is tabulated below.
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Listening
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| Time: 30 Minutes Description: Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts. These include a mixture of monologues and conversations and feature a variety of English accents and dialects. The recording is heard only once, and candidates are given time to read the questions and write down their answers. |
| General Training Reading |
Academic Reading |
Time: 60 Minutes
Description: There are three reading passages with tasks. Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience. At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument. |
Time: 60 Minutes
Description: The texts are based on the type of material candidates would be expected to encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country. They are taken from sources such as newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals and books, and test the candidate’s ability to understand and use information. The test includes one longer text, which is descriptive rather than argumentative. |
| General Training Writing |
Academic Writing |
Time: 60 Minutes
Description: Candidates write a description of at least 150 words. This is based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram and demonstrates their ability to present information and to summarize the main features of the input. For the second task, candidates write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question. They are expected to demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and discuss abstract issues. |
Time: 60 Minutes
Description: The first task requires candidates to write a letter of at least 150 words either asking for information, or explaining a situation. For the second task, candidates write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question. They are expected to demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and discuss issues. |
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Speaking
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Time: 11 to 14 Minutes
Description: The test is a face-to-face interview. Candidates are assessed on their use of spoken English to answer short questions, to speak at length on a familiar topic, and also to interact with the examiner. |
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Test Score
The IELTS reports your test score called Band Score for each section, i.e. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, separately. Your test performance is scored on a Band Score of 1 to 9. The overall Band Score is averaged from Band Scores in all four sections.
Validity
The Score is not valid for more than two years period.
The IELTS releases test score on 13th day after the test is conducted.
The band score from 1 to 9 suggests about your proficiency in English language as described below-
| Band Score / User Type |
Description |
| 9. Expert user |
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| 8. Ve 8. Very good user |
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies. Misapprehension may occur in unusual situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| 7. Good user |
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies and misapprehension in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| 6. Competent user |
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies and misapprehension. Can use and understand fairly fused language, particularly in known situations. |
| 5. Modest user |
Has limited command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| 4. Limited user |
Basic proficiency is limited to well-known situations. Have frequent problems in understanding and expression. Faces difficulty to use complex language. |
| 3. Extremely limited user |
Communicates and understands only general meaning in very known situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| 2. Intermittent user |
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using secluded words or short formula in well-known situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1. Non user |
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few secluded words. |
| 0. Did not attempt the test |
No information available |
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Dates / Centers
The IELTS test is administered all over world through different partner organizations;, British Council, Cambridge ESOL, Education Australia etc. Please visit the official website of IELTS-www.ielts.org to find a test location near you.
The test is administered at least one time in a month and several times during peak season through different test centers. Find the appropriate test dates with your nearest test center to give the test.
Register
The IELTS is a test to take for anyone and everyone. The test measures an individuals’ communication proficiency in English (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). The test is a necessary qualification for students and workers migrating to English speaking nations for study or work.
You can get the IELTS registration form and Information Book from nearest test location to register for the test. You should fill in the application form and submit it with your test center along with necessary fee amount and supporting documents as suggested in the IELTS information book.
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