IELTS Test – English Exam Information, Registration Procedure, Preparation Resources
What is IELTS Test:
IELTS Test stands for International English Language Testing System measures the language proficiency of candidates who want to study or work abroad where the medium of communication is English. Universities of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States and by various professional organisations across the world accept IELTS certification. This test is also recognised by immigration authorities, professional bodies and other government agencies. Around the world more than 1.5 million people a year take the IELTS test.
IELTS Test is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP-Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment and was established in 1989. This test is a major English language exam among the other language exams like TOEFL, TOEIC, PTE Academic and OPI/OPIc.
No minimum score is considered to pass the test. An IELTS test result or Report Form is issued to all test-taking candidates with a score from band 1(non-user) to band 9(expert user) and each institution sets its own different threshold. The candidate who did not attempt the test gets band 0 score. Institutions are advised not to consider a report older than two years unless the candidate proves that he has worked to maintain their level.
History of IELTS Test:
IELTS was known by the name of The English Language Testing Service (ELTS) in 1980. Cambridge English Language Assessment and the British Council had launched ELTS in 1980.
ELTS went live in 1989 as the name of IELTS. Test takers used to take two non-specialised modules, Listening and Speaking, and two specialised modules, Reading and Writing. Each year, numbers of Test taker had a 15% increase. By 1995 there were 43,000 test takers in 210 test centres across the world.
IELTS test structure:
There are two types of the IELTS test:
Academic – The IELTS Academic test is for people who want to study in universities and other institutions of higher education. This test contains some of the features of academic language whether you are ready to do studying or training.
General Training – The General Test is for people who are planning to get work experience, training programs and immigration purposes.
The test has different sections:
Total test time : 2 hours and 45 minutes
1. Listening Section – Duration : 30 minutes.
2. Academic reading/general training reading section – Duration : 60 minutes.
3. Academic writing/general training writing section – Duration : 60 minutes
4. Speaking Section – Duration : 11 – 14 minutes.
1. Speaking Section(11 to 14 minutes)
In the IELTS speaking test, the candidate has a discussion with a certified Examiner. This test measures candidate’s interaction ability and as close to a real-life situation as a communication test.
- Part 1 – Candidate has to give a self introduction about him, his family, his work and his interests.
- Part 1 – Candidate has to speak for 1-2 minutes about a topic. Everyone would get a task card which asks to speak about a particular topic and included points that the candidate can cover in his talk. Test Taker will give 1 minute to prepare yourself.
- Part 1 – Candidate has a longer discussion on the topic. The examiner will ask you further questions connected to the topic in Part 2.
2 Reading Section(60 minutes)
The Reading Test contains 40 questions, these include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding the logical argument and recognising the writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose. These questions are picked from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. This test measures a wide range of reading skills.
3. Listening Section(30 minutes)
Test Examiner will play four recordings of native English speakers, the candidate will listen the questions and write this answers to a series of questions.
- Recording 1 – contains a social conversation between two persons which we have every day.
- Recording 2 – a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
- Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four persons in an educational or training context, e.g. a university teacher and a student discussing a class assignment.
- Recording 4 – a monologue on an academic lecture, e.g. a university lecture.
The Listening test will measure your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed concerned information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers.
4. Writing Section(60 minutes)
There are two tasks:-
- Task 1 – The candidate will be presented with a graph, chart, diagram or table and the examiner will ask to describe or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
- Task 2 – Candidate has to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
Scoring:
Candidate will get a separate Band Score. Total four Band Scores are there, one for each section will be added together and the candidate will get averaged for an Overall Band Score. Each Band has a report providing a summary of the English at that level. There are nine Band levels in the IELTS Test, from one (non-user) to nine (expert user). The test Reports have a validity of two years.
The minimum score is accepted for a course and career ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending upon universities and institutes where you are applying. The most common requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5. Candidate can retake the test if he is not satisfied with his score, but he is not eligible before three months of the first test date.
Candidate’s results will be available after 13 days of his test. Test centres will either post his Test Report Form to his address or anyone pickup from the test centre. He will receive one copy of his Test Report Form.
If the candidate has nominated any institutions or college to receive copies of his IELTS test results, these will be sent automatically on his behalf.
How do I register for IELTS Exam?
1. Step one – Find nearest IELTS test location in your country. There are more than 1,100 IELTS test locations in over 140 countries. Find my nearest centre.
2. Step two – Register for IELTS test. Candidate can register and pay online / also can download an application form to print, fill and submit to nearest local test centre.
Note : Candidate has to provide a copy of valid identity document and will also need to show the same identity document on the day of the test.
3. Step three – Your IELTS test is booked. Once an application form has been processed, the teats centre will send to the candidate a written confirmation of the date and time of test.
IELTS Training Institutes?
1. British Counsil
2. Wisdom Mart
3. jamboree
4. Fateh Education
5. Super Achievers Group
6. Webberz Educomp Ltd
7. E Guroo
8. ACCT
How much does it cost to take IELTS Test?
Fees are set by test centres and vary from country to country. Expect to pay around INR 11,300, £115 GBP, €190 Euros or $200 USD.
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