What is IELTS ?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work in a country where English is used as a language of communication. The exam is available in two modules, namely Academic, that is for study purpose and General training that Is for migration or job purpose. In both the cases, four skills are tested, namely, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Also, there are two formats: paper based and computer delivered. In case of paper-based test, the test taker needs to sit at a desk with the question papers and answer sheets for the Reading, Listening and Writing tests in an official IELTS test centre. Test takers will write their answers in either a pen or HB-pencil. The Speaking test is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner. Computer Delivered Test requires test takers to sit for the Reading, Listening and Writing tests in front of a computer with the questions presented on the screen in an official IELTS test centre. The test takers then submit their answers through the use of a keyboard and a mouse. The Speaking test is not on computer and is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner. And the overall score is from 1-9 band score.
Acceptability
It is accepted by Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand and USA for study and work. It is globally recognised by more than 10,000 employers, universities, schools and immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.
| Band score | Skill level | Description |
| 9 | Expert user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
| 8 | Very good user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good user | The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| 6 | Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest user | The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
| 4 | Limited user | The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 | Non-user | The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test | The test taker did not answer the questions. |
About the Test
- Types of Test
- Test Format
2 Types of Test – IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. The test you choose should be based on what it is you want to do.
IELTS Academic - measures whether your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment. It reflects aspects of academic language and evaluates whether you’re ready to begin training or studying.
IELTS General Training - measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. This test pays attention to your survival skills in the society and at the workplace.
If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to work, live or study in the UK, you may need to take the IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Academic or General Training or the IELTS for Life Skills test.
Test Format
- Assessment on 4 skills- Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- Total test time- 2 hours 45 minutes
Listening, Reading and Writing tests are administrated on the same day and the tests are given in the same sequence. There is no break in between them.
Listening
- Duration: 30 minutes and 10 minutes extra to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.
- No. of Questions: 40 [4sections of 10 Qs each]
- Score: 1Question is 1 mark
Listening is common for both academic and general training tests.Recording is played once only. 1st and 3rd section will have dialogue where 2 or more than 2 speakers will be speaking whereas 2nd and 4th section will have monologue where 1 person will be speaking.
Reading (Academic)
- Duration: 60 minutes including transfer time.
- No. of Questions: 40
- Score: 1 Question is 1 mark
Academic Reading includes 3 long texts which range from the descriptive and analytical. The sources of these passages could be books, journals, magazines and newspapers.Test takers are advised to spend 20 minutes on each passage.A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following; multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short-answer questions. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.
Reading (General Training)
- Duration: 60 minutes including transfer time.
- No. of Questions: 40
- Score: 1 Question is 1 mark
General Training Reading is for 60 minutes including the transfer time. It consists of 3 passages. First passage may contain two or three short texts. Second passage will have 2 texts, while the third passage will have one long text. There are 40 questions in total. Test takers are advised to spend 20 minutes on each passage. Extracts are taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. One mark is allotted for each correct answer.
Writing (Academic)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- No. of Tasks: 2
Academic writing is for 60 minutes. There are 2 tasks- Task 1 and Task 2. Task 1 comprises of graph, chart, table and diagram. Test takers have to describe the visual information in their own words. Word limit for Task 1 is 150 which needs to be completed in 20 minutes. Task 2 comprises of an essay writing. Essay needs to be written in 250 words and has to be completed in 40 minutes. There is no choice in both the tasks. Both the tasks must be completed. Both Task 1 and Task 2 should be written in formal style. Test takers have to write the answers of the writing tasks in the answer sheets. Answers should be written in full sentences. Bullets or notes are not accepted.
Writing (General Training)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- No. of Tasks: 2
General Training Writing is for 60 minutes. There are 2 tasks- Task 1 and Task 2. Task 1 comprises of letter writing. There will be 1 letter to write. It can be formal, semi-formal or personal. The letter needs to be written in 150 words and time limit for writing the letter is 20 minutes. Task 2 comprises of an essay writing. Essay has to be written in 250 words and time limit to complete the essay is 40 minutes. Style of essay writing can be fairly personal. There is no choice in both the tasks. Both the tasks must be completed. Test takers have to write the answers of the writing tasks in the answer sheets. Answers should be written in full sentences. Bullets or notes are not accepted.
Speaking
- Duration: 11-14 minutes
- Sections: 3
- Part 1 – Introduction and Interview
- Part 2 – Long Run
- Part 3 – Discussion
Speaking is an 11-14 minutes face-to-face interview with the examiner. Although a video interview option has been introduced, but It is available at few centres only. However, the centres which do not have this facility assess test takers face to face, whether they opt for paper based or computer delivered test.
Each of these skills test certain aspects in a test taker and score is based on the performance in those skills.
