IELTS
Significance of IELTS
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is one of the most established English language tests around the world and is recognized internationally over 10,000 organizations. It has been a benchmark in testing the four skills of English language (LSRW) for more than 25 years now. In India, IELTS can be taken at over forty locations. Even today, it is a leader in testing English language proficiency.
Who accept IELTS?
It is accepted by various institutions, companies, professional bodies and government
organizations in the UK,USA, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and 140 more countries around the world. IELTS is one of the most pioneering assessments of English language developed by the esteemed University of Cambridge. It is trusted by various countries for purposes like study, work and immigration.
IELTS Modules: Two versions
General Training - This test is accredited for daily use of language and is mostly applicable in cases of immigration.
Academic - This specific test is taken by students who are aspiring for education abroad or professionals who are exploring work opportunities overseas.
Areas of IELTS
IELTS tests your proficiency in four areas:
Listening
Reading
Writing and
Speaking
Why IELTS?
· IELTS is the one of the most reliable tests among the English language proficiency tests world wide. It is developed by Cambridge experts and is offered by British council.
· The test dates are usually easily available and known to be convenient for the test takers. It is available on 48 dates of the year i.e. up to 4 dates a month.
· More than 10,000 organizations abroad accept the score as a validation of language proficiency test.
· It is known to be the fairest of all tests and is the only one that includes a face-to-face interaction.
IELTS Academic Module
Content and Overview
LISTENING
(30 mins approximately)
CONTENT
o Four sections
o 40 questions
o A range of question types
o SECTION 1: A conversation on a social topic, e.g., someone making a booking
o SECTION 2: A monologue about a social topic, e.g., a radio report.
o SECTION 3: A conversation on a study-based topic, e.g., a discussion about between students.
o SECTION 4:A monologue on a study-based topic, e.g. a lecture.
TEST FOCUS
o Candidates are expected to listen for specific information, main idea and opinions.
o There is a range of task types which include completion, matching, labelling and multiple choice.
o Each question scores 1 mark; candidates receive a band score for 1-9.
Students have ten minutes at the end of the test to transfer their answers onto an answer sheet. The recording is heard ONCE.
READING
(60 minutes)
CONTENT
o Three sections
o 40 questions
o A range of question types
o SECTION 1: A passage with 13 questions.
o SECTION 2: A passage usually divided into paragraphs with 13 questions
o SECTION 3: A passage with 14 questions
At least one passage contains arguments and/or views. This is usually section 3.
Candidates are advised to spend no more than 20 minutes on each section.
TEST FOCUS
o Candidates are expected to read for/understand specific information, main ideas, gist and opinions.
o Each section contains more than one task type. They include completion, matching, paragraph headings, true/false/not given and multiple choice.
o Each question scores 1 mark; candidates receive a band score for 1-9.
WRITING
(60 minutes)
CONTENT
o Two compulsory tasks
o TASK 1: A 150-word summary of information presented in graphic or diagrammatic form.
o TASK 2: A 250-word essay presenting an argument on a given topic.
Candidates are advised to spend than 20 minutes on task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2, which is worth twice as many marks as task 1.
TEST FOCUS
o Candidates are expected to write a factual summary and a discussive essay.
o Candidates are assessed on a nine-band scale for content, coherence, vocabulary and grammar.
SPEAKING
(11-14minutes)
CONTENT
o Three parts
o One examiner + one candidate
o PART 1:The examiner asks a number of questions about familiar topics such as candidate’s studies/work, hobbies, interests, etc.
4-5 minutes.
o PART 2: After a minute’s preparation, the candidate speaks for two minutes on a familiar topic provided by the examiner.
3-4 minutes.
o PART 3: The examiner and the candidate discuss some general questions based on the theme of the part 2 topic.
4-5 minutes.
TEST FOCUS
o Candidates are expected to be able to respond to questions on familiar and unfamiliar topics and to speak at length.
o Candidates are assessed on a nine-band scale for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
All candidates who take the test receive an overall band score between 1 and 9 that is an average of the four scores for each part of the test.