The International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) is a set of tests designed to assist you in working, studying,
or migrating to a country where English is the primary language. This covers
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Every year, almost three million people take this test. More than 11,000
employers, universities, institutions, and immigration authorities around the
world recognize IELTS. During the test, your abilities to listen, read, write, and communicate in
English will be evaluated. The IELTS exam is graded on a scale of 1 to 9.
IELTS preparation entails understanding the test format, how it is graded, and then devising a strategy to achieve the desired score. To do so, you will need to enhance your English language abilities, practice test skills, and enroll in a preparation course to track your progress before taking the final test.
IELTS for study
Every year, about 3.7 million students study abroad.
Many students pursue their education in English-speaking countries such as New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There are numerous advantages to studying in an English-speaking country. It may also enable you to specialize in a certain profession or find work when you complete your studies. More than 11,000 education and training providers across the world accept IELTS. If the course is delivered in English, several colleges in non-English speaking nations also require an IELTS score.
IELTS for migration
In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, IELTS is accepted as proof of English language proficiency for study, work, and migration.
Each country establishes its own IELTS criteria. The requirements for your scores will also change depending on your visa requirements and where you plan to study or work.
IELTS for work
English is the world's third most widely spoken language. Taking the IELTS test and getting a score of 6 or higher can significantly improve your job prospects. It also shows employers that you are serious about working and living in the country.
Organizations all over the world rely on IELTS to help them hire the best individuals.
Many of the IELTS-accepting registration bodies are from the healthcare profession. This includes industries such as nursing, medicine, and pharmacy, where English language proficiency is essential.
Accounting, engineering, law, and veterinary practice are some of the other professions that require an IELTS score in specific countries.
IELTS is also required by a wide range of other employers in industries such as finance, government, construction, energy, aviation, and tourism.
Test Format
IELTS is divided into two categories: Academic and General Training. The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for all test takers, but the Reading and Writing tests are different. Make certain that you prepare for the appropriate type of test.
The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between. However, the Speaking section can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. The test lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes in total.
IELTS Academic
The IELTS Academic test is designed for students who intend to study in an English-speaking community or a university (higher education). IELTS Academic can also be used for professional registration.
Students can request that their IELTS results be sent to five different organizations for free. Sending results to additional organizations incurs a fee. As long as your IELTS scores are valid, you can ask your center to send your results.
IELTS General Training
The IELTS General Training test is appropriate for students applying to study at a lower level than a bachelor's degree. This includes a school or college that uses English as the medium of instruction & teaching.
IELTS General Training is also required for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The test focuses on everyday English language skills that you will need in social and professional settings.
Test format
In IELTS,
there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. There are two
different IELTS modules: Academic and General Training.
The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both modules, but the Reading
and Writing tests are different.
Academic module
Choose this if you wish to study at
undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or if you are seeking professional
registration, e.g. doctors and nurses
General Training module
Choose this if you wish to migrate
to an English-speaking country, (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) or if
you wish to train or study at below degree level.
IELTS Syllabus
IELTS Test Component |
Brief Description |
Time Duration |
Listening (Same for Academic and General Training) |
Four sections, 40 items |
30 minutes |
Reading (Different for Academic and General Training) |
Three sections, 40 items |
60 minutes |
Writing (Different for Academic and General Training) |
Two tasks |
60 minutes |
Speaking (Same for Academic and General Training) |
Three-part one-on-one conversation |
11-14 minutes |
IELTS
Academic
IELTS
Academic Reading paper
Texts come from books, journals,
magazines, newspapers and online resources, written for a non-specialist
audience. All the topics are of general interest
to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The texts
may be written in different styles, for example, narrative, descriptive or
discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument.
Texts may also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts use
technical vocabulary, then a simple dictionary definition is provided.
Time allowed: |
60 minutes (including transfer
time) |
Number of sections: |
3; the total text length is
2,150–2,750 words |
Number of questions: |
40 |
Marking: |
Each correct answer receives 1
mark. |
Types of question
·
Question Type 1 – Multiple choice
·
Question Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)
·
Question Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)
·
Question Type 4 – Matching information
·
Question Type 5 – Matching headings
·
Question Type 6 – Matching features
·
Question Type 7 – Matching sentence endings
·
Question Type 8 – Sentence completion
·
Question Type 9 – Summary/note/table/flow chart completion
·
Question Type 10 – Diagram label completion
·
Question Type 11 – Short-answer questions
IELTS
Academic Writing paper
There are two Writing tasks and BOTH
must be completed.
In Task 1, you have
to describe some visual information in your
own words (a graph, table, chart or diagram of an object, device,
event, or process). You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
In Task 2, you are given a
point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss. You need
to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.
Time allowed: |
60 minutes |
Number of tasks: |
2 |
Marking: |
Task 2 contributes twice as much
as Task 1 to the Writing score. |
IELTS
Listening paper
The paper has four parts, with ten
questions in each part. The questions are in the same order as the information
in the recording, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer
to the second question, and so on.
Parts 1 and 2 deal with every day, social situations. There is a conversation
between two speakers in Part 1 (for example, a conversation about travel
arrangements). Only one person speaks in Part 2 (for example, a speech about
local facilities).
Parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training
situations. In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main
speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by
a tutor). In Part 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.
Different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North
American, are used.
Time allowed: |
Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your
answers to an answer sheet) |
Number of parts: |
4 |
Number of questions: |
40 |
Marking: |
Each correct answer receives 1 mark. |
Types of question
·
Question Type 1 – Multiple choice
·
Question Type 2
– Matching
·
Question
Type 3 – Plan/map/diagram labelling
·
Question
Type 4 – Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion
·
Question
Type 5 – Sentence completion
·
Question
Type 6 – Short-answer questions
IELTS
Speaking paper
The Speaking test is a face-to-face
interview between the candidate and an examiner. The Speaking test is recorded.
There are three parts to the test,
and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks in order to test your
speaking ability in different ways.
Marking
There are four assessment criteria
(things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):
·
Fluency and coherence
·
Lexical resource
·
Grammatical range and accuracy
·
Pronunciation
Fluency and coherence assesses how well you can speak at a normal speed
without too much hesitation. It also includes putting your sentences and ideas
in a logical order and using cohesive devices (including linking words,
pronouns and conjunctions, etc.) appropriately so that what you say is not
difficult to follow.
Lexical resource assesses the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and
appropriately you use vocabulary to express meaning. It also includes the
ability to express yourself using alternative vocabulary when you don’t know a
particular word.
Grammatical range and accuracy assesses the range of grammar you use and how accurately and
appropriately you use it.
Time allowed: |
11–14 minutes |
Number of parts: |
3 |
Speaking Test Parts 1–3
·
Part
1 – Introduction and interview
·
Part
2 – Long turn
·
Part
3 – Discussion
IELTS
General Training
IELTS
General Training Reading paper
There are three sections of
increasing difficulty. Section 1 may contain two or three short texts or
several shorter texts. Section 2 contains two texts. In Section 3, there is one
long text.
The texts in Section 1 deal with
everyday topics, and they are the sort of texts that a person would need to be
able to understand when living in an English-speaking country
The texts in Section 2 focus on work
topics, for example, job descriptions, contracts, staff development and
training materials.
The text in Section 3 deals with a
topic of general interest.
Time allowed: |
60 minutes (including transfer
time) |
Number of sections: |
3; the total text length is
2,150–2,750 words |
Number of questions: |
40 |
Marking: |
Each correct answer receives 1
mark. |
Types of question
·
Question
Type 1 – Multiple choice
·
Question
Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)
·
Question
Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)
·
Question
Type 4 – Matching information
·
Question
Type 5 – Matching headings
·
Question
Type 6 – Matching features
·
Question
Type 7 – Matching sentence endings
·
Question
Type 8 – Sentence completion
·
Question
Type 9 – Summary/note/table/flow chart completion
·
Question
Type 10 – Diagram label completion
·
Question
Type 11 – Short-answer questions
IELTS
General Training Writing paper
There are two Writing tasks and BOTH
must be completed.
In
Task 1, you have to respond to a situation
by writing a letter, for example, asking for information or explaining a
situation. You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
In Task 2, you are given a
point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss. You need
to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.
Marking
There are four assessment criteria
(things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):
·
Task achievement/response
·
Coherence and cohesion
·
Lexical resource
·
Grammatical range and accuracy.
In Task 1, Task achievement refers to how well your letter achieves
its purpose.
In Task 2, Task response includes how well you develop your argument
in response to the task, giving evidence and examples which may be from your
own experience.
Coherence and cohesion assesses how clear and fluent your writing is, and how you
organise ideas and information. It includes giving your ideas in a logical
order, and using a range of cohesive devices (for example, linking words, pronouns
and conjunctions, etc.) appropriately.
Lexical resource assesses the range of
vocabulary you have used, and how accurately and appropriately you use it.
Grammatical range and accuracy assesses
the range of grammar you have used and how accurately and appropriately you
have used it.
Time allowed: |
60 minutes |
Number of tasks: |
2 |
Marking: |
Task 2 contributes
twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. |
IELTS
Listening paper
The paper has four parts, with ten
questions in each part. The questions are in the same order as the information
in the recording, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer
to the second question, and so on.
Parts 1 and 2 deal with every day, social situations. There is a conversation
between two speakers in Part 1 (for example, a conversation about travel
arrangements). Only one person speaks in Part 2 (for example, a speech about
local facilities).
Parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training
situations. In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers
(for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a
tutor). In Part 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.
Different accents, including
British, Australian, New Zealand and North American, are used.
Time allowed: |
Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your
answers to an answer sheet) |
Number of parts: |
4 |
Number of questions: |
40 |
Marking: |
Each correct answer receives 1 mark. |
Types of question
·
Question Type 1 – Multiple choice
·
Question Type 2
– Matching
·
Question
Type 3 – Plan/map/diagram labelling
·
Question
Type 4 – Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion
·
Question
Type 5 – Sentence completion
·
Question
Type 6 – Short-answer questions
IELTS
Speaking paper
The Speaking test is a face-to-face
interview between the candidate and an examiner. The Speaking test is recorded.
There are three parts to the test,
and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks in order to test your
speaking ability in different ways.
Marking
There are four assessment criteria
(things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):
·
Fluency and coherence
·
Lexical resource
·
Grammatical range and accuracy
·
Pronunciation
Fluency and coherence assesses how well you can speak at a normal speed
without too much hesitation. It also includes putting your sentences and ideas
in a logical order and using cohesive devices (including linking words,
pronouns and conjunctions, etc.) appropriately so that what you say is not
difficult to follow.
Lexical resource assesses the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and
appropriately you use vocabulary to express meaning. It also includes the
ability to express yourself using alternative vocabulary when you don’t know a
particular word.
Grammatical range and accuracy assesses the range of grammar you use and how accurately and
appropriately you use it.
Time allowed: |
11–14 minutes |
Number of parts: |
3 |
Speaking Test Parts 1–3
·
Part
1 – Introduction and interview
·
Part
2 – Long turn
·
Part
3 – Discussion
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