WHAT IS THE IELTS  TEST?

IELTS is an acronym of “International English Language Testing System.” It is a world renowned English Language Proficiency Test introduced for non-native English language speakers who wish to study further abroad and travel to English speaking countries for various other reasons such as work. IELTS is a joint venture of British Council, IDP: Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. As the name suggests, this is not only a test of UK English, it is a test of International English, and one can choose to use either British or American English. But, one cannot mix them.

IELTS TEST Structure:

There are two IELTS test modules available. Candidates can choose to take the type of test dependent on their need; IELTS ACADEMIC (for students) and IELTS GENERAL TRAINING (for other purpose such as migration or work purposes).

There are four parts to the IELTS test commonly known as LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

IELTS Listening – a 30 minute recording with 40 questions. All IELTS candidates take the same test.

IELTS Speaking – a face to face informal test with an examiner which lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and is made up of 3 parts.

IELTS Reading – 3 reading passage with 40 questions which lasts for 60 minutes (1 hour). This test is divided into academic and general reading papers.

IELTS Writing – this is divided into Task 1 and Task 2. Task 1 Academic is a short report of chart, graph, diagrams etc. Task 1 GT is a letter. Task 2 Academic and GT is a formal essay. IELT S WRITING lasts for 1 hour.

Candidates can choose to take test whether on the computer or on the usual paper. 

UKVI IELTS

Those who want to study or work and live in the U.K. take this test. All of the test formats, content, scoring and level of difficulty are same in UKVI IELTS as in IELTS. The only difference is with the Test Report Form which contains results of a candidate to show that one has taken the test at an official IELTS for UKVI location, approved by the UK Home Office.

WHAT DOES IELTS BAND SCORE MEAN?

AN OUTLINE OF THE OVERALL BAND SCALE LEVELS IS GIVEN BELOW:

9 EXPERT USER	Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8 VERY GOOD USER	Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 GOOD USER	Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6 COMPETENT USER	Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 MODEST USER	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4 LIMITED USER	Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Have frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3 EXTREMELY LIMITES USER	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 INTERMITTENT USER	No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 NON USER	Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0 DID NOT ATTEMPT THE TEST	No assessable information provided.

     (Source: http://www.ielts.org/)

To obtain a satisfactory IELTS Bans Score, it is necessary to be realistic. If the goal is to reach a certain level of English proficiency, success can only be achieved with much practice. It is important to know what an IELTS score in any of the Sub-tests means before one set themselves a goal. 

(It takes three months of regular intensive practice to improve by one overall Band)

It does not matter what subject an individual is going to study in the future –or has studied in the past-all students taking the desired module do the same test. Candidates will not be tested on their specific knowledge of a subject; only their English language skills are assessed.

Candidates may write on the question papers, but they are not allowed to take the question papers from the examination room. All answers must be written on the Answer Sheet provided.

It is possible to choose between a computerized version of the Listening, Reading, and Writing Sub-tests (CB IELTS) and the usual paper-based version. This option is available to both Academic Module candidates General Training Module candidates.                    

One cannot pass or fail the IELTS examination. The university or college that student wishes to enter will inform students of the overall IELTS Band Score they require for enrolment in the particular course they wish to study. It is to be noted that one may also need to achieve a minimum score in a particular Sub-test (often the Writing of Speaking Sub-test).     

Candidates will be given a mark between 0 and 9 for each of the 4 Sub-tests. The overall band score is an average of the 4 Sub-test Band Scores, with fractional scores rounding up or down to the nearest x.0 or x.5 score (with x.25 and x.75 always rounding up.)

Therefore, if the score achieved by a candidate is:

            6.5 In the Listening Sub-test

           5 in the Reading Sub-test

          7 in the Writing Sub-test

And   6 in the Speaking Sub-test

 The total score is 24.5

By averaging the scores (dividing the total score 24.5 by 4) in the example above, one would achieve an Overall Band Score of 6.0 (which is 6.125 rounded down).

Results are published within two weeks of the date of test.

If candidates want to take the examination again, they may take the test as often as they wish and there is no limit to the number of times they can sit for the IELTS examination.