Ielts

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Skills. It is an international standardized test of English language proficiency. The IELTS test is held in over 500 centers as often as four times a month. In view of its respect for international diversity IELTS test is fair to anyone who takes the test.

• There are two kinds of IELTS tests viz. Academic and General Training. The Academic test is for those who are pursuing higher education and want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practice in an English-speaking country. The General Training test is for those who want to gain work experience or join training programs, secondary school or migrate to an English-speaking country. The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for both while the Reading and Writing tests differ. The tests are graded on 9-band scale unique to IELTS.

The IELTS is managed by three extremely reputable, international organisations: British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) so one can be assured of the quality and security of the IELTS test.

IELTS tests all four language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Speaking test is conducted in a face-to-face interview with a certified Examiner. The objective ofthe test is to be interactive and simulate a real-life situation in order to correctly gauge the applicant’s Speaking Skills. IELTS encourages its test-takers to develop good English. It does not support learning by rote. Good scores in the IELTS mean a good and improved understanding of English valid for real life in an English-speaking country.

The fact that more than 6000 organizations world-wide including government departments and universities rely on IELTS speaks for the high quality control and security procedures adhered to by the IELTS. The IELTS scoring system is recognised globally, giving the applicant a truly international result.

Listening, Reading and Writing modules have to be completed in one day. Speaking test may be offered on the same day or up to a week before or after the other parts depending on the test centre.

The Listening Test is made up of four sections with a total of 40 items with 60 minutes to complete answering the questions.

The Reading test is made up of three sections with a total of 40 items with 60 minutes to complete answering the questions.

The Writing test is made up of 2 tasks one of words and the other of 250 words and has to So be completed in 60 minutes.

The Speaking test generally takes 11 to 14 minutes.

While the IELTS Global Recognition System maintains an up to date record of English language requirements, it is strongly recommended that one check the English language requirements with the recognising organization directly, by visiting their website.

The TELTS’s Nine Band [9-0] score system grades score consistently. It is secure, and is understood worldwide. Test materials are designed carefully so that every version of the test although different is of comparable level of difficulty.

Each band of the IELTS 9-band scale corresponds to a level of English competence. All parts of the test and the Overall Band Score can be reported in whole and half bands, eg. 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0.

Band 9 is indicative of an expert user who had full operational command of the English language which implies appropriate, accurate, fluent and complete understanding of English.

Band 8 is indicative of a very good user who has full operational command of the English language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and appropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Band 7 is indicative of a good user who had operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally, handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Band 6 is indicative of a competent user with good command of the language with some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. A band 6 user can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Band 5 is a modest user who had partial command of the language coping with overall meaning in most situations and is likely to make many mistakes, however, able to handle basic communication in own field.

Band 4 is limited user showing basic competence which is limited to familiar situations. This user has frequent problems in understanding and expressing and is unable to use complex language.

Band 3 is and extremely limited user and understand and convey general meaning only in very familiar situations and might have frequent communication breakdowns.

Band 2 is an intermittent user with communication skills that are restricted to very basic information and the use of isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations. Band 2 user has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Band 1 is a non-user and is has no ability to use the language beyond few isolated words.

Band 0 is someone who did not attempt the test or someone on whom no assessable information is provided.

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Candidates are graded on their performance in the test, using these 1-9 bands for each part of the test and the results from the four parts produced the Overall Band score.

IELTs is the world’s proven test and due to its high quality controls it is accepted by thousands of organisations in more than 120 countries.

IELTS conducts 1.4 million tests globally and is understandably the world’s most popular English testing system.