What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardised test designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. It is widely recognised and accepted by universities, employers, immigration authorities, and professional bodies in English-speaking countries around the world. The test evaluates four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. There are two versions of the IELTS test: Academic and General Training, each tailored to different needs.

1. IELTS Test Versions

  • IELTS Academic: This version is intended for individuals applying for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. The test assesses whether a candidate is ready to begin studying or training in English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

  • IELTS General Training: This version is suitable for those who are going to English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience, or training programs. It is also required for migration to countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. The focus here is on basic survival skills in a broad social and workplace context.

2. Test Format

The IELTS test is divided into four sections:

1. Listening (30 minutes):

The Listening section consists of four recorded monologues and conversations. Test-takers are required to answer 40 questions based on the audio they hear. The section tests a range of listening skills, including understanding main ideas, specific factual information, the opinions of speakers, and the ability to follow the development of ideas.

2. Reading (60 minutes):

The Reading section varies slightly between the Academic and General Training versions but both consist of 40 questions.

  • Academic Reading: This includes three long texts taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. These are written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics.

  • General Training Reading: This includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines. These materials are commonly encountered in an English-speaking environment.

3. Writing (60 minutes):

The Writing section also differs between the two versions:

  • Academic Writing: This involves two tasks. Task 1 requires candidates to describe, summarise, or explain visual information (such as a graph, table, or chart) in at least 150 words. Task 2 requires writing an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem, with a minimum of 250 words.

  • General Training Writing: Task 1 involves writing a letter, either formal or informal, in response to a given situation. Task 2 is an essay similar to the Academic version, but it is generally less formal in tone and content.

4. Speaking (11-14 minutes):

The Speaking section is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner and is divided into three parts:

  • Part 1: Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes) – The examiner asks general questions about the candidate's home, family, work, studies, and interests.

  • Part 2: Long turn (3-4 minutes) – The candidate is given a topic card and has one minute to prepare a response before speaking for up to two minutes on the topic.

  • Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes) – The examiner and candidate discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2, allowing for a deeper exchange of ideas and opinions.

3. Scoring and Results

Each section of the IELTS test is scored on a band scale of 0 to 9, where 0 indicates that the test was not attempted, and 9 indicates an expert user of English. The scores from each section are averaged to produce an overall band score. Most institutions require a score between 6.0 and 7.5 for admission or employment.

4. Test Availability and Registration

IELTS is offered in more than 140 countries, and there are multiple test dates throughout the year. Test-takers can register online or at designated test centers. The results are typically available 13 days after the test date.

5. Preparation

Preparation is key to success in the IELTS test. Candidates are encouraged to practice each section thoroughly, familiarise themselves with the test format, and consider taking IELTS preparation courses or using study materials specifically designed for the test. If you want to speak to us about having tailor-made IELTS preparation classes, fill in your details below and a member of our team will get back to you ASAP.