IELTS is an English language exam that is required to be taken by international candidates considering studying or working in a country where English is the main language of communication. The full form of IELTS is International English Language Testing System. Most popular countries where IELTS is accepted for university admissions are UK, Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada. The exam mainly measures the ability of test-takers to communicate in the four basic language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with over 3 million tests taken in the last year.
IELTS assesses all of your English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at study, at work, and at play, in your new life abroad.
The IELTS test is developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment. It has an excellent international reputation, and is accepted by over 10,000 organisations worldwide, including schools, universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.
IELTS is co-owned and was co-created by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL). IELTS proves to provide a excellent and persistent measure of English language competency.
According to the test pattern of IELTS 2018, the speaking test is conducted as a one-on-one test to assess a candidate’s English communication skills. The candidates are put through a real-life conversation with a real person (not necessarily a native speaker) to get their English conversation skills tested. The responses are recorded by the examiner and later evaluated by the certified IELTS examiners.
Scores –
Test takers are graded on their performance, and are rated in band scores from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – listening, reading, writing and speaking. Overall Band Score is produced from the results of the four parts.
Band Score
- 1- Non user
- 2- Intermittent user
- 3- Extremely Limited User
- 4- Limited user
- 5- Modest user
- 6- Competent user
- 7- Good user
- 8- Very Good user
- 9- EXPERT USER
Important Point to Remember
- The IELTS Test Results are Valid for two years
- IELTS Exam Fees – The registration fee for IELTS is Rs. 11,300
- The official result comes out in 13 calendar days after the test.
- IELTS USA institutions recognition list – Click
- To register for the test visit – https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/Default.aspx
- Students from India can register for the test at – http://www.britishcouncil.in/exam/ielts
- Download – Information for candidates – English UK 1.63 MB
IELTS Exam Pattern
IELTS Syllabus includes four sections – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. You get marked on these four sections and you get the IELTS total score as well. The total score is the sum of the scores in the four skill areas.
The total test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes
Here is the IELTS paper pattern –
|
Measure |
Questions | Assigned Time |
| Listening | Four recorded speeches and conversations 40 Items | 30 minutes |
| Reading | 3 long reading passages with tasks 40 Items Texts range from the illustrative and informative to the expansive and analytical Comprises non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs Texts are realistic ( from newspaper) | 60 minutes |
| Writing | Summarize, Explain a table, graph,chart or diagram in at least 150 words Short essay of at least 250 words | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | Face-to-face interviewEncompasses brief questions,speaking in more detail regarding a familiarized area of interest | 11 to 14 minutes |
Eligibility
IELTS or International English Language Testing System assesses the student’s abilities in all four skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking of the English language in under three hours. Students are required to be above 16 years of age to be able to appear for the IELTS Exam. Students who are applying to study in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia are required to appear for the exam. Medical professionals who are planning to work or pursue further studies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are required to take the test. Candidates who are planning to settle down permanently in Canada, Australia or New Zealand are also required to take the test.
Types of IELTS
IELTS is available in two test formats: Academic or General. Students need to take the Academic IELTS test. Other applicants who need IELTS scores for a work visa or immigration purposes need to take General IELTS test.
